Santa suspended by General Dental Council

A dentist from the Island's been suspended from practicing for six months after failing to tell his professional body about a drink-drive conviction.

Ivan Santa, from Onchan, was banned from the roads for four years in 2015 after driving to a shop to buy wine - experts said he'd have been double the legal limit at the time.

But he failed to tell the General Dental Council about his court appearance and admitted two disciplinary charges before the GDC's professional conduct committee.

He told the committee it was an oversight because he'd believed police would tell the GDC about the case.

The GDC said his failure to mention his conviction was a 'serious breach of the standards expected of a registered dental care professional'.

In its findings it said reasonably informed members of the public and fellow colleagues would consider his actions deplorable.

The committee said he still hadn't attended a drink-drive rehabilitation course and said his fitness to practice was impaired.

Mr Santa was suspended for a period of six months which the GDC said would give him time to reflect on its findings.