A Manx-based dentist is facing a General Dental Council hearing over failing to maintain accurate and complete records of drugs administered to patients.

The allegations against 56-year-old Ian Hulme-Rigby date back to his time working at IHR Dental in Bolton, Lancashire in 2005.

He is said to have given patients 'dangerous' unmeasured drug doses to sedate them and allowed his dog into the surgery.

Lydia Barnfather, for the GDC, said Mr Hulme-Rigby, who is the principal dentist at Dental Spa Douglas, in Ridgeway Street, poured a sedative into a plastic cup without measuring it and didn't record it properly in patient records.

A nurse told the hearing Mr Hulme-Rigby told woozy patients they could drive after their appointments, and 'It was okay to have a few beers'.

She claimed he risked infections by wearing soiled overalls and didn't wash his hands after petting his dog, which was allowed into the clinical area.

Mr Hulme-Rigby closed the practice in Bolton in July 2007 and filed for bankruptcy.

He admits administering temazepam, and failing to maintain accurate and complete records of the sedative. He also accepts he didn't keep records of doses.

But he denies that the drug sedated patients for surgery, and is expected to claim it was given only to help reduce anxiety.

Andrew Kennedy, representing the dentist, said his client admitted failing to disinfect his hands and allowing his dog into the clinical area, but denied the incidents happened on 'multiple occasions'.

The hearing continues.