Dentist's dodgy acts before death
Former Perth Dental Rooms director David Hurst, 43, took his own life on December 10 last year at the Crown Perth, leaving a path of destruction and a business on the brink of bankruptcy.
Lawyers allege Dr Hurst withdrew $7m from the Perth practice before he took his own life. Convicted fraudster David Hurst, pictured with wife Clara, allegedly defrauded patients before his death. There is no suggestion Clara was involved in any wrongdoing. Facebook Credit: Supplied
Dr Hurst was previously convicted of defrauding the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK over forged patient declarations.
The Cardiff Crown Court found that Dr Hurst stole £15,584 ($A35,553) by submitting fraudulent patient claims while he worked at the Bridgend Dental Centre.
He pleaded guilty to 69 counts of theft, receiving a suspended sentence and order to perform 200 hours of community service, in 2012.
Two years later he was banned from practising dentistry in the UK by a professional conduct committee. Law firm Slater and Gordon believes about 130 victims were treated by Dr Hurst. Credit: News Limited
But the dentist relocated to West Australia, where he was permitted to practise dentistry despite his criminal record.
He became a director at the Perth Dental Rooms, where he allegedly defrauded patients before his death.
Legal firm Slater and Gordon is representing 20 of Dr Hurt's former patients whom he allegedly persuaded to use their superannuation to pay for expensive and often unnecessary treatments.
The lawyers allege some patients paid more than $70,000 upfront for procedures that never occurred and have yet to be reimbursed.
Medical law practice leader Sarah Marshman said patients had suffered financial loss, emotional distress and ongoing pain caused by reckless, unfinished and, in some cases, unnecessary dental work.
She said the firm heard from patients who were in constant pain, had broken implants, infections and untreated complications. Dr Hurst allegedly withdrew $7m from his business before he took his own life in December. Facebook Credit: Supplied
'For many patients, accessing their superannuation early seemed like a smart way to fund dental treatment,' she said.
'But now they've lost tens of thousands from their retirement savings and are still in pain – physically, financially and emotionally.
'These patients weren't just sold dental procedures. They were sold false hope through aggressive social media advertising and quick access to super.
'They were encouraged to dip into their retirement savings without any real understanding of the tax penalties or medical risks involved.'
Ms Marshman urged Australians to think twice before being pressured by aggressive advertising to use super for medical or dental work. Law firm Slater and Gordon urges anyone who was treated or consulted by Dr Hurst to contact them. Credit: Supplied
'We're continuing to gather evidence for a growing number of affected patients and will be seeking accountability for the harm caused,' she said.
'We believe there could be over 130 former patients affected.'
An administrator was appointed to Hurst Group Pty Ltd, which traded as the Perth Dental Rooms, in March this year after Dr Hurt's wife Clara stepped in as director. There is no suggestion that she was involved in any wrongdoing.
The West reported the Perth Dental Rooms was sold in May but proceeds from the sale were not enough to cover its liabilities.
It was reported $2.3m in payments made by patients in advance remain unaccounted for by the Hurst Group.
Ms Marshman urged anyone who was treated or consulted by Dr Hurst to contact Slater and Gordon Lawyers.
'Any information received will be treated confidentially and could help bring justice to the victims of David Hurst,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Israel says it struck militants posing as aid workers
The Israeli military says it recently struck a group of militants in the Gaza Strip who were disguised as aid workers and using a car with the logo of World Central Kitchen, an international charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés. The army said it carried out an air strike on the men after confirming with the charity that they were not affiliated with it and that the car did not belong to it. World Central Kitchen confirmed that the men and the vehicle were not affiliated with it. "We strongly condemn anyone posing as World Central Kitchen or other humanitarians, as this endangers civilians and aid workers," it said in a statement. The military shared video footage showing several men in yellow vests standing around a vehicle with the charity's logo on its roof. The military said five of the men were armed. The relief group, founded in 2010, has worked from Haiti to Ukraine, dispatching teams that can quickly provide meals on a mass scale in conflict zones and after natural disasters. The group prides itself on providing food that fits with local tastes. In April, an Israeli strike killed seven World Central Kitchen workers including Australian team leader Zomi Frankcom in the Gaza Strip. Israel quickly admitted it had mistakenly killed the aid workers and launched an investigation. In November, an Israeli strike killed five people, including a World Central Kitchen worker who Israel said was part of the Hamas attack that sparked the war. WCK said at the time that it was unaware the employee had any connection to the attack. Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people and killed about 1200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals but 50 remain inside the Gaza Strip. Israel believes about 20 are still alive. Israel's air and ground offensive has since displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine. It has killed more than 61,400 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians but says about half were women and children. Besides those killed, 121 adults and 101 children have died of malnutrition-related causes, the ministry has said. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals.
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Childcare giant laments impact of abuse allegations
A childcare operator that employed a Melbourne man charged with 70 child abuse offences says negative media coverage is hurting its workers, as the future of subsidies comes into sharp view. G8 Education, operator of a centre where Joshua Dale Brown allegedly abused children in his care, says the rest of its staff are struggling emotionally while working through the fallout of the abuse revelations. Brown is accused of abusing eight children aged under two at a Point Cook centre in Melbourne's southwest between April 2022 and January 2023. The company, which educates one in 40 Australian kids in childcare, made the submission to a NSW parliamentary inquiry into early childhood education and care starting on Wednesday. "Whilst the recent negative media coverage has brought into light some terrible issues ... it risks undermining the safety and wellbeing of the broader workforce," G8 chief executive Pejman Okhovat said in the submission. Early childhood workers already suffer from low societal recognition and pay which affects the ability of centres to attract and retain high-quality staff, G8 said. Increasing staff pay and making training more affordable are common themes among more than 150 submissions to the inquiry. But several slam the system's perverse incentives that triggered a surge in profit-driven providers and a lack of focus on the best interests of the 1.3 million Australian children in childcare. Parents and governments paying for services need a far better understanding of the operations of childcare providers, academics Gabrielle Meagher and Marianne Fenech argue. "Too often, misplaced consideration of 'commercial confidentiality' is prioritised over children's rights and safety," they say. "There is no requirement for the rights and best interests of children to be the paramount consideration in decision making by providers." The for-profit childcare sector has grown 30 per cent since 2015 while not-for-profits declined eight per cent, Community Early Learning Australia says. "The over-reliance on for-profit services to meet demand for education and care services has failed to ensure access for all families," the early childhood body said. One educator who made a submission to the inquiry said the for-profit system often results in lower staffing levels and less care for children. "After having experienced working for a not-for-profit service, I will never return to the dire conditions that permeates the for-profit part of the sector," the anonymous submission reads. The state inquiry comes as the federal government enlists consulting giant Deloitte to design a universal childcare scheme for the nation. Deloitte will spend two years assessing whether a flat fee of $10 a day could replace the current Child Care Subsidy. A childcare operator that employed a Melbourne man charged with 70 child abuse offences says negative media coverage is hurting its workers, as the future of subsidies comes into sharp view. G8 Education, operator of a centre where Joshua Dale Brown allegedly abused children in his care, says the rest of its staff are struggling emotionally while working through the fallout of the abuse revelations. Brown is accused of abusing eight children aged under two at a Point Cook centre in Melbourne's southwest between April 2022 and January 2023. The company, which educates one in 40 Australian kids in childcare, made the submission to a NSW parliamentary inquiry into early childhood education and care starting on Wednesday. "Whilst the recent negative media coverage has brought into light some terrible issues ... it risks undermining the safety and wellbeing of the broader workforce," G8 chief executive Pejman Okhovat said in the submission. Early childhood workers already suffer from low societal recognition and pay which affects the ability of centres to attract and retain high-quality staff, G8 said. Increasing staff pay and making training more affordable are common themes among more than 150 submissions to the inquiry. But several slam the system's perverse incentives that triggered a surge in profit-driven providers and a lack of focus on the best interests of the 1.3 million Australian children in childcare. Parents and governments paying for services need a far better understanding of the operations of childcare providers, academics Gabrielle Meagher and Marianne Fenech argue. "Too often, misplaced consideration of 'commercial confidentiality' is prioritised over children's rights and safety," they say. "There is no requirement for the rights and best interests of children to be the paramount consideration in decision making by providers." The for-profit childcare sector has grown 30 per cent since 2015 while not-for-profits declined eight per cent, Community Early Learning Australia says. "The over-reliance on for-profit services to meet demand for education and care services has failed to ensure access for all families," the early childhood body said. One educator who made a submission to the inquiry said the for-profit system often results in lower staffing levels and less care for children. "After having experienced working for a not-for-profit service, I will never return to the dire conditions that permeates the for-profit part of the sector," the anonymous submission reads. The state inquiry comes as the federal government enlists consulting giant Deloitte to design a universal childcare scheme for the nation. Deloitte will spend two years assessing whether a flat fee of $10 a day could replace the current Child Care Subsidy. A childcare operator that employed a Melbourne man charged with 70 child abuse offences says negative media coverage is hurting its workers, as the future of subsidies comes into sharp view. G8 Education, operator of a centre where Joshua Dale Brown allegedly abused children in his care, says the rest of its staff are struggling emotionally while working through the fallout of the abuse revelations. Brown is accused of abusing eight children aged under two at a Point Cook centre in Melbourne's southwest between April 2022 and January 2023. The company, which educates one in 40 Australian kids in childcare, made the submission to a NSW parliamentary inquiry into early childhood education and care starting on Wednesday. "Whilst the recent negative media coverage has brought into light some terrible issues ... it risks undermining the safety and wellbeing of the broader workforce," G8 chief executive Pejman Okhovat said in the submission. Early childhood workers already suffer from low societal recognition and pay which affects the ability of centres to attract and retain high-quality staff, G8 said. Increasing staff pay and making training more affordable are common themes among more than 150 submissions to the inquiry. But several slam the system's perverse incentives that triggered a surge in profit-driven providers and a lack of focus on the best interests of the 1.3 million Australian children in childcare. Parents and governments paying for services need a far better understanding of the operations of childcare providers, academics Gabrielle Meagher and Marianne Fenech argue. "Too often, misplaced consideration of 'commercial confidentiality' is prioritised over children's rights and safety," they say. "There is no requirement for the rights and best interests of children to be the paramount consideration in decision making by providers." The for-profit childcare sector has grown 30 per cent since 2015 while not-for-profits declined eight per cent, Community Early Learning Australia says. "The over-reliance on for-profit services to meet demand for education and care services has failed to ensure access for all families," the early childhood body said. One educator who made a submission to the inquiry said the for-profit system often results in lower staffing levels and less care for children. "After having experienced working for a not-for-profit service, I will never return to the dire conditions that permeates the for-profit part of the sector," the anonymous submission reads. The state inquiry comes as the federal government enlists consulting giant Deloitte to design a universal childcare scheme for the nation. Deloitte will spend two years assessing whether a flat fee of $10 a day could replace the current Child Care Subsidy. A childcare operator that employed a Melbourne man charged with 70 child abuse offences says negative media coverage is hurting its workers, as the future of subsidies comes into sharp view. G8 Education, operator of a centre where Joshua Dale Brown allegedly abused children in his care, says the rest of its staff are struggling emotionally while working through the fallout of the abuse revelations. Brown is accused of abusing eight children aged under two at a Point Cook centre in Melbourne's southwest between April 2022 and January 2023. The company, which educates one in 40 Australian kids in childcare, made the submission to a NSW parliamentary inquiry into early childhood education and care starting on Wednesday. "Whilst the recent negative media coverage has brought into light some terrible issues ... it risks undermining the safety and wellbeing of the broader workforce," G8 chief executive Pejman Okhovat said in the submission. Early childhood workers already suffer from low societal recognition and pay which affects the ability of centres to attract and retain high-quality staff, G8 said. Increasing staff pay and making training more affordable are common themes among more than 150 submissions to the inquiry. But several slam the system's perverse incentives that triggered a surge in profit-driven providers and a lack of focus on the best interests of the 1.3 million Australian children in childcare. Parents and governments paying for services need a far better understanding of the operations of childcare providers, academics Gabrielle Meagher and Marianne Fenech argue. "Too often, misplaced consideration of 'commercial confidentiality' is prioritised over children's rights and safety," they say. "There is no requirement for the rights and best interests of children to be the paramount consideration in decision making by providers." The for-profit childcare sector has grown 30 per cent since 2015 while not-for-profits declined eight per cent, Community Early Learning Australia says. "The over-reliance on for-profit services to meet demand for education and care services has failed to ensure access for all families," the early childhood body said. One educator who made a submission to the inquiry said the for-profit system often results in lower staffing levels and less care for children. "After having experienced working for a not-for-profit service, I will never return to the dire conditions that permeates the for-profit part of the sector," the anonymous submission reads. The state inquiry comes as the federal government enlists consulting giant Deloitte to design a universal childcare scheme for the nation. Deloitte will spend two years assessing whether a flat fee of $10 a day could replace the current Child Care Subsidy.
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Perth Now
Childcare giant laments impact of abuse allegations
A childcare operator that employed a Melbourne man charged with 70 child abuse offences says negative media coverage is hurting its workers, as the future of subsidies comes into sharp view. G8 Education, operator of a centre where Joshua Dale Brown allegedly abused children in his care, says the rest of its staff are struggling emotionally while working through the fallout of the abuse revelations. Brown is accused of abusing eight children aged under two at a Point Cook centre in Melbourne's southwest between April 2022 and January 2023. The company, which educates one in 40 Australian kids in childcare, made the submission to a NSW parliamentary inquiry into early childhood education and care starting on Wednesday. "Whilst the recent negative media coverage has brought into light some terrible issues ... it risks undermining the safety and wellbeing of the broader workforce," G8 chief executive Pejman Okhovat said in the submission. Early childhood workers already suffer from low societal recognition and pay which affects the ability of centres to attract and retain high-quality staff, G8 said. Increasing staff pay and making training more affordable are common themes among more than 150 submissions to the inquiry. But several slam the system's perverse incentives that triggered a surge in profit-driven providers and a lack of focus on the best interests of the 1.3 million Australian children in childcare. Parents and governments paying for services need a far better understanding of the operations of childcare providers, academics Gabrielle Meagher and Marianne Fenech argue. "Too often, misplaced consideration of 'commercial confidentiality' is prioritised over children's rights and safety," they say. "There is no requirement for the rights and best interests of children to be the paramount consideration in decision making by providers." The for-profit childcare sector has grown 30 per cent since 2015 while not-for-profits declined eight per cent, Community Early Learning Australia says. "The over-reliance on for-profit services to meet demand for education and care services has failed to ensure access for all families," the early childhood body said. One educator who made a submission to the inquiry said the for-profit system often results in lower staffing levels and less care for children. "After having experienced working for a not-for-profit service, I will never return to the dire conditions that permeates the for-profit part of the sector," the anonymous submission reads. The state inquiry comes as the federal government enlists consulting giant Deloitte to design a universal childcare scheme for the nation. Deloitte will spend two years assessing whether a flat fee of $10 a day could replace the current Child Care Subsidy.
