Dentists Act 1984

32 Orders for interim suspension. U.K.

(1) Where the Preliminary Proceedings Committee (“the Committee”)—

(a) decide that the case of a person who is alleged to have been convicted as mentioned in section 27(1) above, or to have been guilty of any such misconduct as is there mentioned, ought to be referred to the Professional Conduct Committee under that section, and

(b) are satisfied that it is necessary for the protection of members of the public to make an order under this section in respect of that person,

they may order that his registration in the register shall be suspended in accordance with the following provisions of this section pending the determination of his case by the Professional Conduct Committee.

(2) The Committee may make any such order notwithstanding—

(a) in the case of a person alleged to have been convicted as aforesaid, that any proceedings by way of appeal are pending in respect of the conviction in question; or

(b) in the case of a person alleged to have been guilty of any such misconduct as aforesaid, that any criminal charge has been, or might be, brought in respect of the alleged misconduct.

(3) No order shall be made under this section in respect of a person unless he has been afforded an opportunity of appearing before the Committee and of being heard on the question whether such an order should be made in his case; and for the purposes of this subsection a person may be represented before the Committee by counsel or a solictor, or (if rules under paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to this Act so provide and he so elects) by a person of such other description as may be specified in the rules.

(4) Where the Committee make an order under this section the registrar shall forthwith serve on the person to whom it applies a notification of the order and of his right to make an application for the termination of the order under subsection (8) below; and the registration of that person in the register shall be suspended by virtue of this section from the time when the notification is so served until such time as the order is revoked under subsection (5) or (6) below.

(5) Any order under this section shall be reviewed by the Committee not later than three months after the date of its making and subsequently at intervals of not more than three months; and where the Committee on any such review are satisfied that the continuation in force of the order is not necessary for the protection of members of the public they shall revoke the order.

(6) Where the case of a person to whom an order under this section applies is determined by the Professional Conduct Committee under section 27 above, the Professional Conduct Committee shall revoke the order either forthwith or, if they make an order for immediate suspension taking effect under section 30(5) above, as from the time when that order so takes effect.

(7) Where an order under this section is revoked under subsection (5) or (6) above the registrar shall forthwith serve on the person concerned a notification of the revocation of the order.

(8) Subsections (6) and (7) of section 30 above shall have effect in relation to an order under this section as they have effect in relation to an order of the Professional Conduct Committee under subsection (3) of that section.