A DENTIST in Lympsham has been deemed a “risk to patients” after she used out of date fillings and allowed her cats to roam the surgery.

The Professional Conduct Committee found Susan Edworthy, 58, at a hearing by the General Dental Council, to have “failed to maintain appropriate levels of infection control and hygiene” at Lympsham Dental Practice.

Inspectors found she did not take “adequate steps” to prevent her cats from entering the practice, did not adequately decontaminate equipment, used out-of-date filling materials and limited nurses to just one spray of disinfectant between patients.

A report by the committee read: “You did not ensure that three in one aspirator tips were adequately decontaminated; you did not remove your gloves when touching items outside the sterile area; you did not ensure hazardous waste was appropriately stored.”

The report added: “Given the shortcomings in your practice identified in this case, which, in the Committee’s opinion have only been partially rectified for a short period of time in response to external agency assessment, it considers that you remain a risk to patients.”

Last week the committee imposed 11 conditions on Ms Edworthy, including the creation of a personal development plan and carring out hygiene audits.

Ms Edworthy said: “I have fully co-operated with the General Dental Council and I have taken all the necessary steps to ensure that I can provide my patients with the best possible dental care.”