A former dentist who defrauded the NHS out of more than £92,500 by submitting bogus claims for dental treatment has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Fariba Shameli, formerly of Stable Lane, Worthing, was sentenced in her absence at Lewes Crown Court after being found guilty of four counts of fraud by abuse of position.
The 55-year-old was convicted of one count following a trial at Hove Crown Court in autumn 2025 and received a further three convictions from a second trial at the same court in July this year.
Ms Shameli, who previously owned and operated Findon Dental Care in Worthing and is now living in Sweden, did not attend either trial or her sentencing.
She had pleaded not guilty to all charges at a pre-trial and preparation hearing at Lewes Crown Court in March 2025.
The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) said she will be arrested if she enters the UK and will serve a third of her sentence.
The offences related to fraudulent claims totalling £92,511.74, submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority while Ms Shameli was contracted to practise dentistry at Findon Dental Care.
These included claims for treatment that had not been carried out, NHS claims for work carried out privately and claims for work undertaken by a dentist in training.
In addition, Ms Shameli was found to have made changes to treatment dates to address a shortfall in her NHS targets.
The fraud was first detected in September 2015 after the Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group raised concerns about a prescription issued by Ms Shameli that did not contain patient details or a practice stamp.
She was then asked to self-audit her claims between September 2015 and February 2017 and an independent review by an NHS Dental Services clinical adviser found around a third were inappropriate, prompting a referral to the NHSCFA.
Having obtained electronic records from the dental practice, an NHSCFA advisor identified around 1,200 false claims relating to 848 patients.
Further evidence gathered from patients showed that some had been treated privately or that claimed-for treatment had not taken place. In addition, dental laboratories provided evidence that some claimed-for appliances had never been constructed.
Sentencing Ms Shameli, Judge Joshua Swirsky said: ‘She had fraudulently put her own personal interest ahead of the public interest.’
NHSCFA investigators will now use powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to seek to recover some of the stolen funds.
Ben Harrison, head of operations and engagement at the NHSCFA, said: ‘Fariba Shameli’s actions represent a clear abuse of trust placed in her as an NHS professional and undermine confidence in the health service.
‘By deliberately submitting false claims, she received substantial funds that should have been used to support patients who rely on NHS services.
‘The NHSCFA continues to take a robust and proactive approach to tackling fraud, safeguarding public funds and upholding the integrity of NHS services.’