Hundreds of former patients who we are now acting for have had their say on their experiences as patients of the Nottinghamshire dentist Desmnd D’Mello, who was struck off this year after a whistle blower secretly filmed him breaching important infection control procedures.
Of the many who have had their say, they all share very similar stories and memories. The trends are appearing and we’re building a picture of what he was like as a dentist and a businessman. For those who have had appointments in the post-D’Mello era, we’re getting reports of a very different dental practice at Daybrook.
During D’Mello’s time it was all about patient turnaround. Some appointments lasted no longer than a couple of minutes, and waiting rooms were often packed full of people as he attempted to see as many patients as he could squeeze in to his day.
Many former patients have reported that he would regularly be rushing around and running up and down corridors – often wearing the same gloves. This, as you may already know, is one of the main allegations against him; the reuse of gloves.
Dental instruments would often be displayed ready when patients arrived. No one ever recalls seeing him retrieve freshly cleaned instruments, or breaking open disposable tools from packets. The allegation about using unsterilised equipment is disturbing – both at the thought of it, and given the fact that all the evidence points to is being entirely true.
If equipment was all laid out ready for use then we ask when, if at all, were they cleaned…
For those patients who are still attending the Daybrook Practice following its change of hands, they are reporting remarkable differences in the way they operate, as well as heightened awareness now everyone knows about the Desmond D’Mello scandal.
We’re told of eerily silent waiting rooms where little but uncomfortable whispers can be heard as people’s minds remain firmly on the practices of the surgery’s former owner. A lot of people are worried about going back, although it’s important to understand that things are now very different.
We’re told that dentists and staff can be seen washing their hands. Chairs are wiped down between appointments, and equipment can be seen breaking open from sealed packages. They appear to be making quite an effort to explicitly show that they are doing things above board, unlike Mr D’Mello did.
The whole community is still shaken by the events of the much loved pillar of the community and his public fall from grace. We continue to fight for the rights of former patients who want to claim for what has happened, and you can contact the leading Daybrook Dental Negligence Team on 0800 634 7575.
We’re here to help you.
