Fairfield dentist struck off after grooming 12-year-old patient on Instagram

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has cancelled the registration of Fairfield dentist Tuan Minh Doan after finding him guilty of professional misconduct and determining he was unsuitable to remain a registered dental practitioner.

In its decision handed down on 16 September 2026, the tribunal also prohibited Doan from providing any health service for seven years, following disciplinary proceedings brought by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).

From dental appointment to criminal conviction

Doan was 41 when he began contacting a 12-year-old patient through his personal Instagram account in December 2021, following a dental consultation.

The correspondence escalated into sexualised messages, requests for the girl's address and attempts to arrange a meeting without her parents' knowledge.

Despite the patient repeatedly reminding Doan of her age, he continued contacting her and encouraged her to conceal their communications.

Police arrested Doan on New Year's Eve 2021. He initially denied sending most of the messages before admitting responsibility.

In 2022, he received a 12-month prison sentence for grooming a child under 14 for unlawful sexual activity, with a non-parole period of six months.

Tribunal rejects plea to retain registration

The tribunal considered Doan's extensive criminal history, spanning more than 11 years and including domestic violence, theft, drug offences and breaches of child protection reporting requirements.

Doan also repeatedly failed to comply with his statutory obligations to notify dental regulators of criminal charges and convictions.

Having been suspended by the Dental Council of NSW in February 2024, Doan sought to retain his registration through a further seven-year suspension rather than cancellation.

He expressed remorse and claimed to have undertaken rehabilitation for alcohol dependence. However, he provided no supporting medical evidence, rehabilitation records or character references.

The tribunal rejected his request, describing his cumulative conduct as “disgraceful”.

Ban extends beyond clinical dentistry

Of particular significance to dental practice owners, the tribunal identified the risk of Doan returning to the industry in an unregistered capacity.

It specifically raised concerns about potential employment as a dental assistant, practice manager, receptionist or tooth whitening specialist, where he could encounter vulnerable patients.

The case underscores the importance of maintaining professional boundaries beyond the dental surgery, including interactions with patients through personal social media accounts.

It also serves as a reminder that a practitioner's conduct outside clinical practice can have significant consequences for their registration.

Doan will not be eligible to seek a review of his registration cancellation until September 2033. Any return to dentistry would be subject to regulatory scrutiny rather than automatic reinstatement.