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A dentist facing claims that he exposed more than 3,000 patients to the risk of infection has declared he no longer wants to practise dentistry, a court heard today.

Mark Roberts, who worked at a practice in Splott , Cardiff, was suspended by the General Dental Council in February 2015 amid concerns about poor infection control practices.

A fellow member of staff at the practice raised concerns about the experienced dentist after he allegedly used anaesthetic cartridges – which are typically used in root canal treatment – more than once when they should have been thrown away.

Warning letters were then sent to 3,245 patients about the risk of being exposed to blood-borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis.

The letters were issued after Mr Roberts’ practice was taken over by other dentists.

(Image: John Giles/PA Wire)

The General Dental Council (GDC) suspended him on an interim basis in April 2015 while they investigated the allegations.

Mr Roberts has not been proved guilty of any wrong-doing and is due to face a full fitness to practice hearing in October this year.

But GDC lawyer, Nardesh Karu, today told London’s High Court that he no longer wants to be a dentist.

Mr Karu asked Judge Dinah Rose QC to extend the interim suspension for another six months to give time for the completion of the hearing.

Granting the extension, the judge said: “In a letter dated November 21 last year, he stated that he no longer wishes to practice as a dentist.

“Nevertheless the GDC says the extension of the interim suspension order is necessary to protect the public and for the protection of the public interest.

“Mr Roberts does not wish to practice as a dentist and the prejudice to him in these circumstances is very limited. I grant the order sought,” she concluded.

In a statement in 2015, Dr Roberts reportedly said: “I deeply regret there have been occasional lapses in my practice, and I have sought to address these.

“I have only ever wanted to provide the very best care for my patients.”

Health bosses, speaking in 2015, said the chances of patients contracting a blood-borne illness such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV was “very low”.

Mr Roberts provided NHS dental services at Splott Road Dental Surgery for 26 years.