The UK dental regulator, the General Dental Council (GDC), has successfully prosecuted Community First for Treatment Ltd which had dental practices in Eastfield Road in Peterborough and Main Ridge in West Boston for the illegal business of dentistry on two occasions in the last two years.

Community First for Treatment Ltd were convicted in their absence of the two offences at Peterborough Magistrates Court on 15 February. As Community First for Treatment was receiving payment for dental work when the majority of its directors were not GDC-registered dentists or dental care professionals it was committing a criminal offence under the Dentists Act.

Community First for Treatment Ltd was fined £1,000 (£500 per offence) and ordered to pay a contribution of £3,000 to the GDC's costs.

1. It is a criminal offence, under the Dentists Act 1984, if a company receives payment for dental work when the majority of its directors are not GDC-registered dentists or dental care professionals. The GDC is committed to protecting the public by bringing cases of illegal practice to court.

2. As the UK regulatory body of the dental profession, the GDC has a duty to protect the public. All dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists must be registered with the GDC to work in the UK - whether they work in the NHS, private practice or any other form of practice. From 31 July 2008 all dental nurses and dental technicians must be registered with the GDC to work in the UK. You can check whether a dental professional is registered with the GDC by logging on to gdc-uk.

General Dental Council