A DENTIST'S patient was left with "pockets of pus" in her mouth and serious gum disease after he failed to provide her with basic care, a hearing was told.

But NHS dentist Andrew Boyd only told the woman to use a certain type of toothpaste and mouthwash after she complained, the General Dental Council heard.

The woman, referred to as Patient 13, was seen frequently by Boyd at the Barassie Street Dental Practice, in Troon, between 1991 and 2005.

But she ended up paying out of her own pocket for extensive private treatment just to get her molars back to an adequate standard, the hearing in central London was told.

In a statement read out to the committee, Patient 13 told how Boyd had fitted several crowns in 2005 to teeth in her upper jaw.

But she went back to see him after experiencing problems including inflamed gums and "pockets of pus" above the teeth.

She said: "He merely told me to use a certain type of toothpaste and mouthwash."

Patient 13 visited another dentist in December 2005 when one of the crowns fell out.

She said: "He could not reinsert the crown because my gums were too inflamed."

Patient 13 was referred as an emergency and required lengthy treatment which she decided to obtain privately.

The committee has heard how Boyd gave sub-standard dental care to some 15 trusting clients who were frequently left with ill-fitting fillings and crowns that frequently fell out and needed replacing.

A 10-year-old girl was left with a "leaking" filling when Boyd failed to fit it properly.

Boyd, who qualified in 1986 in Glasgow, admits his conduct in respect of treating patients was "unprofessional" and "not in their best interests".

He could face being struck off if found guilty of serious professional misconduct.

Boyd also allegedly tried to mislead NHS bosses after he successfully applied for £3974.44 to pay for equipment.

The GDC heard at the time he made the cash request Boyd had not actually paid for some £1099 worth of the equipment.

The hearing continues.