A DENTIST who failed to spot gum disease in a patient has been issued with a written warning by the General Dental Council.

Vin Sootarsing, 53, of Selwyn Avenue, Highams Park, went to see his usual dentist Dr Manoochehr Behmanesh, because he had pain in his teeth and gums and a visibly swollen face.

But instead of treating Mr Sootarsing, Dr Behmanesh, whose practice is in The Avenue, Highams Park, merely scaled and polished his teeth.

Mr Sootarsing's pain continued and two days later he visited a different dentist, who took X-rays, treated the infection and alleviated the pain and swelling.

Mr Sootarsing was referred to hospital and later had a tooth removed.

He said: "I was absolutely disgusted, Mr Behemanesh was presented with a very visible problem, my eye was half-closed because of the swelling.

"And he did nothing to alleviate the pain I was in, which is not what you expect from a health care giver."

Mr Sootarsing wrote to Dr Behemanesh following the incident but did not receive a response, and later complained to Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the Healthcare Commission.

Mr Sootarsing was unhappy with the way the PCT and Healthcare Commission handled his complaints and reported the matter to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).

The PHSO earlier this year found that Mr Sootarsing suffered injustice caused by a failure of service by Dr Behmanesh and the dentist was ordered to pay £250 compensation.

The ombudsman said Dr Behmanesh's record keeping was below standard.

The PHSO also upheld a complaint against the PCT for failing to deal with Mr Sootarsing's complaint promptly and a further complaint against the Healthcare Commission for taking nearly a year to respond to a complaint and for not explaining clearly whether it was upheld.

The matter was referred to the General Dental Council investigating committee, which has now decided to issue Dr Behmanesh with a written warning.

The committee has warned the dentist to provide patients with swelling and pain with a good standard of care and to provide adequate pain relief.

It also warned Dr Behmanesh to communicate with patients more effectively about complaints.

Dr Behmanesh does not accept he has done anything wrong and is to complain to the Government about the PHSO investigation.