A DENTIST who was jailed for defrauding Worcestershire patients and the NHS out of thousands of pounds has been struck off the dental register.

Ikhlaq Hussain and Jaspal Bachada duped patients by telling them they were being treated on the NHS while charging them inflated private rates.

The Droitwich Spa Dental Practice in Blackfriars Avenue was one the practices where the pair were partners.

They defrauded the NHS of more than of £80,000, while patients were scammed out of between £3,000 and £4,000.

In October last year, Hussain was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court and given a 30-month sentence. He served 10 weeks before being released.

Bachada, who pleaded guilty, was jailed for 20 months.

Hussain, aged 39, of College Road, Birmingham, appeared before a General Dental Council conduct committee this week and was taken off the register for a minimum of five years.

In May, Bachada, aged 38, of Redlake Drive, Stourbridge, received the same punishment.

Reaching a decision in Hussain’s case, chairman Helen Potts, said: “This was a blatant breach of trust in relation to both patients at the practice and the NHS.

“You received direct financial gain from your criminal behaviour.

“The committee had no difficulty in finding that your fitness to practice is impaired and was in no doubt that your conviction undermines public confidence in the dental profession and proper professional standards.”

During the hearing in London, the committee read testimonials from patients and heard from nine witnesses. “They were also shown a petition from patients offering their support for Hussain’s return to practice, outlining their confidence in his role as a dentist and as a member of the community.

However, the committee heard how in June 2007 Hussain was suspended for 12 months by the GDC for serious professional misconduct, which included allegations of misleading and intending to mislead patients and fellow professionals.

Ms Potts said: “The committee was in no doubt that you had damaged confidence in the profession and the reputation of other professionals.

“It found that in your desire to maintain your practice income and further your business interests you lost all balance and sense of perspective in relation to your professional obligations.”

Both dentists can reapply to the register after a period of five years.