Charge
On 09 August 2013 the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal considered a charge laid by a Professional Conduct Committee against Dr Sathe, Dentist of Auckland (the Dentist).

The charge alleged that the Dentist was convicted of 10 representative charges of dishonestly using a document and 8 representative charges of false accounting and that these convictions reflected adversely on the Dentist's fitness to practise.

Finding

The hearing proceeded on the basis of an agreed summary of facts and the Dentist accepted that his conduct reflected adversely on his fitness to practise.  The Tribunal found the charge established and expressed concern that false clinical records were prepared to support the offending.

Penalty

The Tribunal censured the Dentist and suspended him from practice for 12 months.  On resumption of practice conditions will apply.  The Tribunal ordered the Dentist to pay costs of $5,000 to the Tribunal and $4,000 to the PCC and directed publication of its decision and a summary.