Jailed £48k fraud dentist Jochemus Venter struck off

The judge described Venter's actions as a "deliberate, concerted and sophisticated fraud driven by greed"

A dentist who was jailed for 18 months for falsely claiming almost £48,000 for work on NHS patients has been struck off.

Jochemus Hermanus Venter, 55, overcharged for treatment and claimed for non-existent work at his practice in Llandrindod Wells, Powys.

He was jailed after admitting eight counts of false accounting at Cardiff Crown Court in December.

The General Dental Council said he had been "erased" from its register.

The court heard Venter had a contract with Powys Local Health Board to treat people at NHS rates.

'Driven by greed'

But between April 2006 and July 2010 he made false claims totalling £47,947.43.

This included charging for £300 crowns when he fitted only fillings and charging £40 for a sports mouth guard and then submitting for £1,200 bill for orthodontic work.

Venter was investigated after concerns were raised by the dental nurse and receptionist at his practice.

Striking Venter off, the General Dental Council said his repeated instances of dishonesty over a number of years seriously undermined the main principles of the profession.

The council's panel added that Venter's behaviour was "highly damaging to both his fitness to practise and to public confidence in dental professionals."

The £47,900 Venter dishonestly claimed has since been recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act.