GDC erases 'child sex offender' dentist.

The General Dental Council (GDC) has removed a dentist from the register after he was convicted of making indecent photographs of a child and inciting a boy to engage in sexual activity.

Matthew Larkin pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, and required to enrol in the Horizon Programme.

The GDC suspended Mr Larkin while his criminal trial took place and following sentencing, scheduled a Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) hearing on 15 December 2017, which resulted in his removal from the register.

At the time of the offence, he said he was experiencing difficulties with his partner and started to visit website chatrooms. It was here that he started to look at unlawful pornography.

On 10 November 2016, he was convicted of three counts of cause/incite a male child aged under 16 to engage in sexual activity and three counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo‐photograph of a child.

The PCC Chair said: 'It is considered that, given the gravity of the matters found against you, immediate action is required to protect public confidence in the dental profession.'

A spokesperson from the GDC said: 'All dental professionals are expected to uphold the standards outlined in the Standards for the Dental Team. Matthew Larkin’s conviction significantly deviates from this. His behaviour is not compatible with the trust patients rightly place in dental professionals.'

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