Alan Graham Thomas Payne (54), a specialist prosthodontist and former head of department at Otago University's School of Dentistry, pleaded guilty in the Whangarei District Court last year to two charges of using forged documents and one of obtaining money by deception.
The offences took place in Dunedin between August 2007 and November 2009, with the case transferred to Whangarei after Dr Payne moved to Northland last year.
Dr Payne's fraud involved a total of $9770.61 from Raymond J. George Dental Surgeon.
Dr George was terminally ill for part of the period he was defrauded and Dr Payne knew of his illness.
Dr Payne was ordered by the court to perform 200 hours' community work and pay $9770.61 in reparation.
In September, Dr Payne went before the Health Practitioners' Disciplinary Committee charged with conduct reflecting adversely on his fitness to practice. The charge was proved and the committee's decision released on Friday.
Dr Payne was suspended from practice for nine months, with the penalty suspended for 24 months.
He was ordered to pay $12,000 in costs.
Dr Payne must also work under professional supervision for three years. He cannot practise on his own or own a practice, unless authorised by the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Dr Payne's convictions related to the dishonest use of 132 invoices for his own financial gain and his offending was premeditated, the committee said.
"Dr Payne's actions were immoral, unethical and involved significant breaches. Given the very serious breaches of professional standards, discipline is undoubtedly warranted," it said.
Dr Payne submitted he had suffered immeasurably as a consequence of the convictions and had had a very significant fall from grace.
Excellent references had been provided for him.
The offending was completely out of character, he submitted.
