'Flatulent' dentist from Shrewsbury is struck off Published duration 4 March 2011

image caption The committee heard Mr Walton told a patient he had "bad breath"

A dentist who faced charges of breaking wind and belching in front of patients and staff has been struck off.

Matthew Walton, 35, from Shrewsbury, also swore and made "V-sign" hand gestures to patients and staff behind their backs, a committee heard.

Mr Walton worked at Green End Dental Practice in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

The General Dental Council in London ruled his conduct required immediate suspension of his registration "for the protection of the public".

'Let me do it'

Unless Mr Walton appeals his name will be erased from the Dentist's Register in April, meaning he cannot legally work as a dentist in the UK.

He faced a number of clinical and conduct charges, including:

Breaking wind during appointments

Telling a patient he had bad breath

Exposing a nurse to X-ray radiation

Making derogatory comments about unemployed patients

Asking patients to show their money before providing treatment

Pushing a nervous teenage patient back into his chair, telling him: "You will sit and let me do it"

Mr Walton admitted all the allegations about clinical issues, but denied some of the allegations of poor conduct.

But the committee ruled: "In the course of your evidence you did make further concessions regarding the [conduct] allegations."

The committee concluded it had "taken into account the nature of your misconduct both towards patients and staff and your clinical failings.

"It has also taken into account your lack of insight and lack of remediation.

"For the protection of the public and in the public interest, immediate suspension of your registration is necessary."

Mr Walton, who has not worked as a dentist since December 2007 except for one day, has not commented on the case.