It isn’t just what Desmond D’Mello has done that has had such a profound effect on the former patients of the Daybrook Practice – it is who he is, or was, that has had just as big of an impact.
‘Des’ as he was affectionately known by many wasn’t just the local dentist; he was a friend to the local community. For the former patients affected by his actions, the scandal has been made worse by the fact that they feel they have been ‘let down’ and ‘deceived’ by a man they once knew as a friend.
Everyone simply trusted him. Most had no idea that this man could ever be capable of the things he has been caught doing.
Now there are thousands of angry patients who have had to undergo testing for blood-borne infections. Most of them have come back negative, but this hasn’t stopped the worry, fear, stress, and anxiety that many have felt. Some have returned positive, and we’re investigating appropriately. For those who want justice for what has happened, we are here to help.
Our specialist Daybrook Dental Negligence Team are the voice of the people who want to speak out and want justice to be served. As many of our clients have said to us, they want D’Mello to pay for what he has done. Whilst we’re not involved in any of the proceedings with the General Dental Council, we are leading the way in the proposed civil proceedings for compensation cases.
The media have reported of a man who lived a lavish lifestyle earning £1,000 a day. It is believed that he achieved this through putting patient volumes and profits before people’s wellbeing and safety. Appointments were said to have lasted less than two minutes in some cases, and the practice has been described as always busy. Many have stated they felt it was a ‘conveyor belt’ system in operation.
But D’Mello was brilliant at making people feel at ease with his charming and friendly demeanour. This has helped to mask the fact he was deceiving his customers and community through ignoring important infection control procedures. People are understandably angry, and people are deservedly seeking justice.
If you want our help and advice, please call our team on 0800 634 7575 today.