A SCOTS dentist and his practice manager have been struck off for 'serious misconduct' after reusing dirty equipment.

Alan Morrison was removed from the General Dental Council's register after officials investigated allegations of malpractice at his surgeries in Cumnock and Drongan.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran looked into the claims spanning almost four years, from December 2009 until September 2013, and found he had put patients at risk.

Practice manager Lorraine Kelly and dental nurse Dawn Grant were also investigated.

They both faced allegations of reusing single use items, inadequate infection control and dishonesty responding to the investigation.

During a public hearing investigators heard that Mr Morrison hadn't disinfected dental instruments between treating patients and did not change his surgical gloves.

He was accused of reusing thin metal strips fitted around teeth on different patients, and reusing single-use items without disinfecting them.

The dentist was also accused of dishonesty after creating false invoices for dental supplies and instruments he hadn't bought.

Officials at the Professional Conduct Committee said the dentist's actions "put patients at unwarranted risk of harm" and told him he had brought "the profession into disrepute."

They concluded: "That your woeful behaviour, as detailed in this determination, has damaged your fitness to practise and public confidence in the dental profession to the extent that removal of your professional status is the only appropriate and proportionate outcome."

Mrs Kelly, practice manager was also removed from the register, while Ms Grant has had conditions imposed on her ability to practice for the next year.