A dentist under investigation for potentially posing serious risks to patients has been temporarily struck off the national register.

Miodrag Mitic, who ran the Earlsgate Dental Practice in Folkestone, is thought to have left the country after he was put under supervision following a hearing into “serious concerns” in September.

The practice in Earls Avenue suddenly shut earlier this month and KentOnline revealed Mr Mitic had been under investigation by dental authorities since August and issued with a warning.

But the General Dental Council (GDC) has now decided to ban Mr Mitic following a review into the original hearing in September.

The review, held on November 15, upgraded the earlier decision after it was presented with new information relating to concerns over Mr Mitic’s practice and that members of the public faced being at “real risk of harm”.

The GDC said the allegations facing Mr Mitic “suggest serious failings in a number of areas of his clinical practice” and potentially a breach of his conditions.

The first hearing had imposed several conditions including placing Mr Mitic under supervision for 18 months.

It came after the GDC looked into alleged “wide-ranging failings in basic dental care” which had occurred over “a considerable period of time and involve a number of patients”.

The GDC said it had received “nothing to suggest” Mr Mitic had taken “meaningful action” to address concerns made against him.

"On October 6, Mr Mitic’s workplace supervisor [Pat Kelly] had raised probity issues in respect of four patients treated recently by Mr Mitic" - GDC report

A report said: “Further concerns had been raised by NHS England. On October 6, Mr Mitic’s workplace supervisor [Pat Kelly] had raised probity issues in respect of four patients treated recently by Mr Mitic.

“An email dated October 26 from NHS England to the GDC state that one of the dental nurses who worked at the practice had indicated in a telephone call that he may have left his practice and abandoned the staff.

“It was stated he mentioned backruptcy and concerned about being able to continue to pay his indemnity insurance.

“An email from Mr Kelly on November 1 appeared to suggest Mr Mitic may have left the UK.”

Mr Kelly admitted said since he was appointed, there had been no “face to face” meetings initiated by Mr Mitic and opportunities to speak together had been “almost non-existent”.

A further review is planned in six months and Mr Mitic is allowed to request one himself beforehand.

The investigation was launched following concerns about 10 areas of care, after 18 sets of patient records were reviewed.

These included: record-keeping, periodontal care, radiography, root canal treatment, cast restorations, medical history, antibiotic prescribing, treatment of trauma, treatment planning and consent.

A survey of 68 patients by NHS England found concerns about understanding treatment options available and dissatisfaction with dentist services that Mr Mitic had provided.

An inspection was carried by the NHS Dental Advisor following a routine practice inspection in November 2016.

They found “significant concerns with the courses of treatment provided” by Mr Mitic, who took over the practice in Earls Avenue 10 years ago.