Auckland Dentist Censured Following Year-Long Fentanyl Addiction and Self-Prescribing

A high-profile Auckland dentist faces disciplinary action after admitting to a year-long fentanyl habit fueled by fraudulent prescription orders.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 4:47 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Fraudulent Sourcing and Escalating Use

Between June 2022 and June 2023, the dentist utilized "practitioner’s supply orders" to fraudulently obtain fentanyl from six different Auckland pharmacies on approximately 40 occasions. Investigations revealed he ordered a staggering 5,780ml of the potent opioid over the 12-month period. To administer the drug, he used clinical equipment—including cannulas intended for patient sedation—to inject doses that eventually reached 5,000mcg per use. The habit was only halted after a pharmacist at a Countdown branch became suspicious and refused a supply order in June 2023.

Professional Misconduct and Patient Risk

While the dentist maintained that he only used the drug after work hours and was never "under the influence" while treating patients, the Tribunal found his actions constituted a serious risk to public safety. Expert witness Dr. Samuel McBride, an addiction specialist, testified that a habit of this magnitude would inevitably lead to cognitive impairment, slowed movements, and tremors during withdrawal. McBride emphasized that even if no direct harm was reported, the potential for a "loss of consciousness during procedures" created an unacceptable level of risk for patients undergoing surgery.

The Tribunal’s Verdict and Penalties

The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, chaired by Truc Tran, found the dentist guilty of professional misconduct, noting that his actions amounted to malpractice and negligence likely to discredit the dental profession. The following penalties were imposed: