Dr Aviva Riley who is facing a trail for sexual assault against a colleague

A female dentist who allegedly groped a colleague's breasts and bottom has been told she must now work with a chaperone.

Dr Aviva Riley was hauled before the General Dental Council after being accused of sexual assault.

The GDC was told that the 46-year-old, who has been a dentist for 20 years, is facing a criminal trial later this month.

The partner at the Fourways Dental Practice in Borough Green, near Sevenoaks, Kent, has been issued with 12 working conditions, including that she work with a minder when she see patients for the next 18 months.

Dr Riley, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, is accused of touching a colleague's breasts and groping her bottom in November 2016.

She is also accused of sexually assaulting another colleague, who now no longer works at the practice.

In their ruling the GDC said: 'A complaint was received on November 16 2017 from a colleague, who alleges that on two occasions during November 2016 you sexually assaulted her.

'In particular she alleged that you touched her breasts on one occasion and groped her right buttock on the other occasion.

'Information received confirms that you have now been charged in connection with three alleged incidents of sexual assault.

The Fourways Dental Practice in the village of Borough Green, near Sevenoaks, Kent, where Dr Riley worked

'You have been given bail conditions by the magistrates court, which include a requirement that you are not to have any unsupervised contact with the complainant in respect of two of the alleged incidents.

'The other complainant no longer works at the practice.'

The tribunal on February 21 heard that Dr Riley had breached bail conditions after 'continuing to intimidate and harass' one of the complainants, who still works at the practice.

But her representatives said she 'strongly denied the claims' against her, and that the charges had been 'trumped up' although she 'accepted' that on one occasion there had been 'some physical contact' with one of the complainants.

And they insisted that the contact was in 'the context of a discussion about bra sizes and was not sexually motivated.'

The GDC imposed an 18 month order that means she can still work at the practice, but with conditions that include having a chaperone with her when she treats patients.

It stated in its ruling: 'In relation to the protection of the public, an allegation of sexual assault of a colleague, of itself, may give rise to a potential risk to patients and other members of the public including work colleagues.

'The Committee notes that you have been charged with a serious offence by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and you are due to appear at the Crown Court in March 2018.

'The Committee concluded that an interim order is necessary for the protection of the public.'

A spokesman for Kent Police confirmed that Dr Riley has been charged with sexual assault.

An allegation of sexual assault of a colleague may give rise to a potential risk to patients The General Dental Council in its ruling

Dr Riley is described as a 'warm and gentle clinician' on the Fourways Dental Practice website.

It states: 'Partner/Principal Avi is an approachable, warm and gentle clinician. She has now been practicing dentistry for nearly 20 years.

'She has had a varied and rewarding career in dentistry, starting with hospital positions in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in London, Swindon, and Worcester.

'This sparked Avi's interest in oral cancers, as well as cultivating her flair for oral surgery, in particular the surgical removal of teeth. She then went on to obtain her Fellowship of Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2000.

'Avi has worked for several years in General Practice, both in the National Health Service and privately, giving her a wide range of clinical experience and patient understanding. She is an expert at making you feel at ease and comfortable.

'Avi has a special interest in treating dental-phobic patients and managing those suffering with jaw-related disorders and teeth grinding problems.

'She also treats patients under intravenous sedation, which is very effective for long, complicated treatments for very anxious patients.'