A “RECKLESS” dentist who allowed his dog into his surgery and gave patients unmeasured doses of sedatives has kept his job.

Ian Hulme-Rigby, aged 56, failed to clean his hands after playing with his pet in the clinic and gave patients unmeasured doses of an unpredictable painkiller, the General Dental Council heard.

He was found guilty of a series of failures at his IHR dental practice in Manchester Road, Kearsley.

Committee chairman Margaret Gray said they accepted the evidence of dental nurse Judyth Marlow, who said Hulme-Rigby poured liquid Temazepam straight from the bottle into a plastic cup. Ms Gray told the dentist: “This approach to the administration of a benzodiazepine drug is considered by the committee to be reckless.”

His professional conduct was found to be “inappropriate, unprofessional, and not in the best interests of staff or patients”.

Hulme-Rigby escaped a ban but was ordered to undergo a course in ethics under a range of conditions imposed on his practice. He now lives and works in the Isle of Man after the Kearsley practice closed in 2007 and Hulme-Rigby filed for bankruptcy.

The hearing was told that Mrs Marlow had complained repeatedly about infection control risks to patients. Her resignation letter spoke of a “constant battle” to maintain infection control standards.

Ms Gray added: “The committee considers that you are a technically a competent dentist who cares for his patients.

“However, the committee has grave concerns about your insight regarding your previous failings.

“We believe that the shortcomings identified at this hearing can be remedied and that the public can be protected sufficiently by the imposition of appropriate conditions of practice.

“The committee also considers that there is a public interest in allowing you to continue to provide good quality dental treatment.”

Under the 16 conditions imposed on his dental practice for two years, Hulme- Rigby must work under supervision and take courses in record keeping, infection control and dental practice ethics. He must undergo annual infection control and record keeping audits, and is banned from administering benzodiazepine drugs, or any other sedatives. Hulme-Rigby’s case will then be reviewed to decide if he is fit to practise without restrictions.