Sidney dentist Peter Carr performed surgery on patient while his genitals were exposed
By Josh Bavas - ABC News (Australia)
A Sydney dentist who was found guilty of indecently assaulting a young dental nurse also performed surgery on a patient with his genitals exposed.
Peter David Carr, 76, is currently suspended from practice but is now facing disciplinary action by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC), including the cancellation of his registration.
The New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) found the dentist guilty of unsatisfactory and unethical conduct for working with his genitals exposed and tying another patient's wrists and ankles together with computer cables.
Details of his conduct at the Smile Care Dental practice in Double Bay were released by the tribunal this week.
It included an incident in May 2016 in which he performed surgery while his genitals, "namely his semi-erect penis and testicles, were inappropriately exposed and hanging out of his jeans zipper".
A younger female dental nurse noticed his physical state after picking an item off the floor, seeing his genitals protruding under his dental gown.
Documents showed Dr Carr explained his version of the incident to the Dental Council of NSW several months later, stating he may have forgotten to secure his trouser buttons after going to the bathroom in a hurry and was most likely not wearing underpants.
The tribunal also found him guilty over a separate incident in November 2016 in which he administered a female patient with the drug Triazolam, including one dose which was inhaled through her nose from a rolled-up banknote.
He also tied his patient's wrists and legs together with computer cables before a procedure to fit the patient with 10 veneers.
In response, Dr Carr stated the patient requested her hands and legs to be tied together as she would be more comfortable.
The hearing was told Dr Carr also lacked adequate training to safely administer Triazolam and failed to identify that the patient had previously taken another drug, Stilnox.
In relation to his previous convictions, the tribunal found Dr Carr also failed to notify the Dental Board of Australia within seven days, after being charged and found guilty for being in possession of cocaine at a Darlinghurst nightclub in February 2016.
Dr Carr was given a good behaviour bond for cocaine possession.
In 2018 he was also convicted of a string of offences for three separate incidents in 2016 including pushing his dental nurse against a wall while attempting to kiss her, slapping her buttocks with his hand and opening her scrubs after forcefully grabbing her shoulder.
Dr Carr was found guilty of one count of common assault and two counts of aggravated indecent assault.
He was given a seven-month suspended sentence in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court.
In its summary, the NCAT found the repeated "unsatisfactory professional conduct" was "sufficiently serious" in nature to justify the cancellation of his registration.
Dr Carr disputed some of the findings but offered to pay a fine of $3,000 and attend a course in conscious sedation but requested his suspension be lifted "so he can earn a living again" while working under supervision.
The tribunal will hold a final hearing early next year to decide further orders, including the potential to ban Dr Carr from practice.
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