Dentist suspended for practising without professional indemnity insurance

12 Nov 2019

The State Administrative Tribunal has found that a Western Australian dentist engaged in professional misconduct by practising as a dentist without appropriate professional indemnity insurance.

Dr Mario Cavallaro admitted that he practised without appropriate professional indemnity insurance (PII) cover between 2013 and 2017. Dr Cavallaro also admitted that he had falsely declared he had complied with his PII responsibilities in his applications for renewal of his registration as a dentist and that he had failed to give the Dental Board of Australia (Board) notice that he no longer held PII cover as required under the National Law. Dr Cavallaro further admitted that he had failed to comply with three notices requiring him to provide the Board with details of his PII arrangements. 

The Board and Dr Cavallaro agreed the terms on which the matter could be resolved. Dr Cavallaro admitted that his conduct constituted professional misconduct. He was reprimanded and his registration was suspended for four months. 

Dr Cavallaro submitted that his ill-health, remorse and his retirement and intention not to practise again as a dental practitioner were mitigating factors in relation to the penalty to be imposed by the Tribunal. 

The orders are published on the eCourts Portal of Western Australia website.