Edinburgh dentist struck off for groping colleagues at work Christmas parties

On one occasion John Wittchen tried to put his hand down the front of a woman's top and years later "twisted" her nipples right after she left the women's toilets, leading to the police being called.

Another woman told how he touched her thigh without consent during another Christmas party and she described him as behaving in a "bit of a 'pervy' way" when he had too much to drink.

Mr Wittchen's actions resulted in one colleague taking time off work and having to take medication.

A General Dental Council (GDC) professional conduct committee this week found Mr Wittchen's actions to be "sexually motivated" and unprofessional and that he showed little insight or remorse for the seriousness of his behaviour.

Evidence

One woman gave evidence at the hearing about an incident at a work Christmas party in 2016 after she left the women's toilet. She said: "He saw me, and then walked towards me, as he approached me his hands outstretched, and he placed them on my nipples over my top I was wearing. With his fingers and thumbs he twisted my nipples.”

A complaint was made to police immediately after the incident and officers were called to the scene.

The same woman gave evidence that he tried to put his hand down the front of her top during a previous work Christmas party.

The committee also found that Mr Wittchen had touched a woman's thigh during a Christmas party in December 2007. This woman gave evidence to say he could be "a bit of a perv" and "behave in a pervy way" when he had too much to drink, adding: "It was during the party that he touched me on the leg."

Evidence from three other witnesses was accepted by the committee in relation to him touching this woman's leg.

The report, published on the GDC website on July 21, said Mr Wittchen graduated with a dentistry degree from Edinburgh University in 1980, and it is understood he had worked at a practice in the Capital.

The committee also found that Mr Wittchen had shouted at a staff member when she informed him that a patient had arrived for a 5pm appointment in late 2016, and this was also deemed to be unprofessional behaviour.

In their conclusion, the committee said: "Mr Wittchen’s conduct was a significant departure from the standards expected of a registered dental professional.

"Further, sexually motivated conduct towards colleagues as well as shouting at a colleague during working hours at his place of work and within the hearing of a patient, would be considered deplorable by fellow professionals."

Their report added: "The continued sexually motivated conduct towards two colleagues during work Christmas parties was conduct that fell significantly below the standards expected and brings the reputation of the profession into disrepute."

It was noted that Mr Wittchen had previously recorded an "unblemished career" as a dentist but repeated sexual misconduct, unprofessional behaviour and a lack of remorse or engagement in the hearing process led to his "erasure" from the register with immediate suspension.

The report added: "The Committee is in no doubt that Mr Wittchen’s misconduct, particularly his sexually motivated conduct was wholly unacceptable and seriously damaging to the reputation of the dental profession and to the public’s confidence in the profession."

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