A dentist once dubbed “Britain’s rudest dentist” has come under scrutiny in Ireland after an Irish Mirror investigation revealed he is practising in County Galway under a different name, despite being struck off the UK dental register for serious professional misconduct.
Dr Rajesh Narendranath, who was removed from the UK’s General Dental Council (GDC) register in 2013 following multiple complaints—most notably from a vulnerable patient with cancer and multiple sclerosis—has been found operating in Ireland as “Dr Raj Nair.” The revelations have prompted an ongoing investigation by the Dental Council of Ireland, raising fresh concerns about transparency and patient safety in the Irish dental sector.
Struck Off for Serious Misconduct
The case against Dr Narendranath stems from a 2007 incident in the UK, where a patient accused him of deliberately causing injury during a dental procedure. She further alleged that he made inappropriate comments and demonstrated a clear lack of professionalism. Despite recommendations from the Healthcare Commission and the Primary Care Trust (PCT) that he issue an apology and take corrective actions, Dr Narendranath refused, going so far as to suggest he was the one owed an apology.
A letter issued by his advisers was deemed insufficient by the UK’s Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (PHSO), which conducted a full investigation and found that his refusal to apologise constituted maladministration and posed a risk to public health and safety.
In a rare move, the PHSO formally laid the report before the UK Parliament in June 2011, citing his “unusual disregard for professional recommendations.” The matter escalated to the GDC, which subsequently struck him off in 2013. A tribunal later found he had not demonstrated any meaningful professional reform and labelled him “not a reliable historian and witness.”
Operating in Ireland Since 2013
Despite the UK ban, Dr Narendranath established a dental practice in Loughrea, Co Galway, operating under the name Lakeshore Dental, which was registered in the same year he was struck off. According to the Irish Mirror, he has also worked at a dental clinic in Cork, continuing to use the alias “Dr Raj Nair” in professional settings, including conference presentations and journal publications by the Irish Dental Association.
In Ireland, dental professionals are legally required to operate under the name listed on the Dental Council’s Register of Dentists, where he is registered under his full name, Rajesh Narendranath. The discrepancy has prompted a formal investigation by the Dental Council.
Registrar David O’Flynn confirmed:
“I want to confirm that the Dental Council are now investigating this matter with a view to ensuring that relevant provisions of the Dentists Act 1985 are being complied with.”
Defence and Justification
In response to the allegations, Dr Narendranath told the Irish Mirror that his disciplinary history in the UK had already been disclosed to Irish regulators:
“I was already practising in Ireland before I was struck off back in 2013 and it was disclosed to the Dental Council in Ireland, as per the requirements.”
He emphasised that the Irish Dental Council had conducted its own inquiry and decided no action was warranted.
When questioned about using the name “Raj Nair,” he argued it was a practical decision:
“Thousands of patients that he treats in Ireland could barely pronounce my full name, so I decided to shorten it.” He added that “Nair” is his clan name and religious patronymic, which he is entitled to use.
However, while name shortening is not prohibited, the Dental Council insists that registered professionals must remain clearly identifiable. The use of an alias in official and promotional material could lead to confusion or breaches of the Dentists Act 1985.
Dental Council Acts Swiftly
After being alerted by journalists, the Dental Council contacted the Loughrea-based clinic. Within 24 hours, Dr Narendranath’s name and photograph were removed from the practice’s website. The clinic has not issued a public response or answered media queries.
The Council acknowledged it was already aware of Dr Narendranath’s UK history and had previously considered the matter. However, his continued use of a non-registered name is a new regulatory concern.
A Checkered Career Across Borders
Dr Narendranath graduated from the University of Kerala in 1997 and moved to the UK two years later. He pursued further studies, obtaining a Master’s in Restorative Dentistry from the Leeds Dental Institute. He worked across various UK locations, including Belfast, before purchasing a practice in Staffordshire in 2006.
The complaint that triggered his deregistration arose shortly thereafter. When confronted by UK health authorities, his dismissive attitude raised alarm. One communication to the PCT read:
“She has complained about me to the PCT!! Who shall I complain to against this patient?”
The situation culminated in a damaging public report and significant media scrutiny in the UK, leading to his now-notorious label as “Britain’s rudest dentist.”
Implications for Dental Regulation in Ireland
The ongoing investigation into Dr Narendranath’s professional identity and regulatory compliance raises broader questions about the cross-border sharing of disciplinary records and how international bans are recognised—or not—within the Irish medical and dental systems.
While Ireland does have reciprocal recognition mechanisms for many EU and UK health qualifications, disciplinary transparency and enforcement consistency remain grey areas that, as this case demonstrates, require closer attention.
Next Steps
The Dental Council of Ireland has committed to fully reviewing the matter to ensure that the Dentists Act 1985 is upheld and that Irish patients are not misled or placed at risk.
Whether Dr Narendranath will face further consequences remains to be seen, but this case highlights the critical need for robust oversight of healthcare practitioners with complex international histories.
