ANDREAS ANDREOU: DENTIST PUT HIS PENIS IN PATIENT’S MOUTH

A dentist sexually assaulted a patient when she opened her mouth as she sat in his treatment chair, a tribunal heard today.

Andreas Andreou told the patient to arrive early for her scheduled appointment early on 17 March 2012.

She found the Broadway Dental Care surgery in Winchmore Hill north London, was deserted, the General Dental Council heard.

Claire Harden, prosecuting said: ‘When she arrived she found the premises empty, except for Andreou,’ Ms Harden said.

The woman was ushered into the chair and though treatment was going to proceed as normal.

‘Later on the treatment chair she opened her eyes to find Andreou directing his penis towards her open mouth,’ said Ms Harden

She believed Andreou’s penis had actually went into her mouth, Ms Harden added.

The horrified woman jumped out of the chair but Andreou allegedly tried to placate her and said: ‘I can sort your teeth out for you.’

When she said she was going to the police he begged: ‘Can’t we do something to sort this out?

She did go to the police who arrested Andreou at the surgery later that day.

When he was asked about the incident Andreou replied: ‘I know why you’re here. Yes, I flashed a woman at my practice today.’

The panel had learned of Andreou’s conviction for sexual assault at Wood Green Crown Court earlier this year on 12 February.

Andreou is currently serving a three-year sentence and has been placed on the sex offenders’ list.

But the dentist is planning to lodge an appeal and the General Dental Council decided that it would be unfair to continue before legal proceedings are concluded.

Howard Jones, panel chair, said: ‘The committee has considered carefully the submissions made by both parties and it has accepted the advice of the legal adviser.

‘It has sought to balance the public interest  in proceeding expeditiously with the inconvenience to the parties and fairness to the respondent.

‘The committee had in mind the serious nature of the charge against Mr Andreou.

‘However, it also had in mind that Mr Andreou has been granted permission to appeal against his conviction, which is expected to be heard at short notice.

‘The committee was not in a position to prejudge the outcome of that appeal.

‘It was concerned about the possibility of material prejudice to Mr Andreou in the event that it proceeded today and his appeal against conviction was ultimately successful.

‘Mr Andreou is currently imprisoned and subject to an interim suspension order.

‘The committee is therefore satisfied that the public will remain protected during any postponement.

‘In the circumstances, the committee considers that it would be unfair to Mr Andreou to proceed today.

‘Accordingly, the committee is satisfied that the risk of prejudice to Mr Andreou from proceeding today outweighs the public interest in proceeding expeditiously.’

Andreou, who was present via telephone from his prison cell, made no formal admission to the charges, which include exposing his genitalia to the patient.

The hearing was postponed but a future date is yet to be fixed.

ends