The Higher Disciplinary Council of the Medical Board recently barred a dentist from practising in Luxembourg for life. The dentist had been allowed to continue practising in Bertrange despite facing legal proceedings and having his licence revoked in France.

MP Alexandra Schoos of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (adr) sought clarification on the case of Patrice Mattiuzzi and asked why it had taken so long for the doctor to be banned from practising in Luxembourg too.

Health minister Deprez clarified that when Mattiuzzi received authorisation to practice in Luxembourg in April 2013, the Ministry of Health was unaware of ongoing proceedings against him abroad. However, a temporary suspension of his practice rights in Luxembourg occurred from 15 February to 14 May 2016, with the reason cited as Mattiuzzi's failure to disclose ongoing legal issues in France during his application process.

According to Deprez, the disciplinary procedure against doctors is governed by the amended law of 8 June 1999 on the Medical Board. A forthcoming amendment proposes regulations to prevent doctors temporarily or permanently banned from practising abroad from doing so in Luxembourg.

In the case of Patrice Mattiuzzi, both the Disciplinary Council and the Higher Disciplinary Council of the Medical Board were involved. Ultimately, on 23 December 2023, the Higher Disciplinary Council imposed a lifetime ban.

Hygiene complaints and unnecessary treatments

What triggered proceedings in the first place was an official complaint from Mattiuzzi's assistant, filed with the sanitary inspectorate. "He was only interested in earnings", argued the woman, who started working in the office in 2016 after being referred to the position by the National Employment Agency (ADEM).

According to allegations, tools were reused on multiple patients and only the cheapest material was processed. The assistant has further accused the dentist of making unnecessary treatments.

Dr Mattiuzzi faced trials in France in 2011 and 2020 for issuing fraudulent bills, eventually being barred from practicing in the country in 2022.

Though initially exonerated in both cases, Dr Mattiuzzi lost an appeal in 2013 and was given a financial penalty of €30,000. In May 2022, he was further given a suspended prison sentence of 18 months, another €250,000 fine, and a five year occupational ban in France.