Sally Hague had worked as a dental nurse for 21 years in the same practice
A dental nurse who worked alongside a dentist who sparked the "biggest recall in NHS history" has been banned from working for at least 12 months.
Sally Hague worked with Desmond D'Mello, who is being investigated for alleged hygiene failings at Daybrook Dental Practice in Nottinghamshire.
She admitted 20 charges relating to her own poor hygiene, and also failing to raise concerns about Mr D'Mello.
The General Dental Council said she had put patients at risk of harm.
It suspended her for 12 months following a professional conduct hearing, and this could be extended following a review.
A report said: "Mrs Hague's conduct demonstrated a complete disregard for patient safety."
"High number of patients"
But the GDC recognised she had worked in a practice with "an unacceptably high workload" and therefore had to work under "severe pressure".
Secret filming showed no less than 50 patients were seen over a five-hour period.
Another dental nurse said she was "particularly surprised at the high number of patients being seen" by Mr D'Mello, and noted he "worked very quickly to get through a large number of patients".
Desmond D'Mello has been suspended for 18 months while he is investigated
The 20 charges relating to Mrs Hague's own hygiene included:
Brushing and flossing her teeth in a sink used for washing hands.
Failing to wash hands at necessary times.
Failing to ensure surfaces were properly cleaned.
Re-using single-use equipment including gloves, brushes and bibs.
Re-using equipment that had not been sufficiently decontaminated, including extraction forceps.
Failing to change gloves after each patient.
The GDC hearing was held on Monday but Mrs Hague did not attend.
In a letter to the GDC she said: "I feel I have let myself down as a dental nurse as well as my patients, although I would never intentionally do anything to put their health at risk."
Daybrook Dental Practice is now under new ownership
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