TWO Droitwich dentists have been arrested in connection with investigations into alleged fraud.

The dentists, who are from the Droitwich Spa Dental Practice, in Blackfriars Avenue, were arrested last Tuesday.

Police swooped following investigations made by the NHS Counter Fraud Squad Service.

Another individual was also arrested last Tuesday, at an address in the West Midlands, in connection with the same inquires.

All three were released on police bail while investigations by the fraud service and West Mercia police continue.

The fraud service has been contacting current and former patients for permission to view their records.

A NHS Counter Fraud Service spokesman said: "As part of a joint investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Service and West Mercia police, two individuals were arrested at a Droitwich address and one at another address in the West Midlands. All three were released on bail for further enquiries into allegations of NHS fraud.

"At this stage of the proceedings it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

A police spokesman confirmed the arrests had taken place but did not wish to comment further.

Former dentist and owner of the practice, Jaspal Singh Bachada, was suspended for six months by the General Dental Council (GDC) last May after being found guilty of serious professional misconduct.

A tribunal concluded he had charged for unnecessary work or billed for treatment never carried out on six patients in Birmingham in 2000.

Following the tribunal, the counter fraud service began an investigation into further claims that Bachada had fraudulently claimed money for South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust for work carried out for the Droitwich practice. The fraud squad did not confirm the new arrests were part of the same investigations.

Bachada, of Christchurch Close, Edgbaston, was originally reported to the GDC by the mother of a 16-year-old patient who was "left looking like Dracula" after being given two gold crowns to his front teeth.

The dentist did not give evidence at the tribunal but his legal team claimed he was unaware of NHS regulations when he made incorrect charges.

Bachada is not currently listed on the GDC's register of dentists.