A DENTIST today spoke of his relief after being cleared of seven offences of overcharging NHS patients by more than £400.Paul Tildsley, 38, from Ipswich, had been accused of dishonestly charging inflated amounts by claiming he had fitted gold crowns on patients' teeth when he had used non-precious metal crowns.

A DENTIST today spoke of his relief after being cleared of seven offences of overcharging NHS patients by more than £400.

Paul Tildsley, 38, from Ipswich, had been accused of dishonestly charging inflated amounts by claiming he had fitted gold crowns on patients' teeth when he had used non-precious metal crowns.

But he was cleared of the charges by a jury yesterday after a five-day trial at Ipswich Crown Court.

Mr Tildsley, of Geneva Road, said: "I am very relieved it is all over. I would like to thank my friends and family for their support.

"I look forward to getting back to work and treating my patients."

The offences related to a time when Mr Tildsley was working at a surgery in The Walk, Ipswich, during 2001.

It was also alleged that Tildsley had dishonestly obtained inflated payments by claiming he had used special trays for taking denture impressions when he had used standard stock trays.

Mr Tildsley, who has a full list of NHS patients, had denied the counts of obtaining money transfers by deception.

The court had heard that he was accused after falling out with Alison Brown, who had employed him at her surgery in The Walk.

Miss Brown had agreed that, as well as uncovering occasions when Mr Tildsley had allegedly overcharged, she also discovered he had undercharged for other patients' treatment by about £3,836.

The court had heard that Mr Tildsley had been supplied with non-precious metal crowns when he thought he had been ordering precious metal crowns, with the confusion arising from the numerous abbreviated terms used on the forms.

Mr Tildsley had told the jury that he was anxious and upset when the mistake was uncovered.