High-profile celebrity dentist bashed with a claw hammer in front of patient

Classic Smiles owner William Zafiropoulos, 54, had his skull and arm fractured when he was savagely attacked by two men who stormed his Miranda surgery.

High profile Sydney dentist Dr Bill Zafiropoulos, seen at work, left, and outside his offices, right, was badly beaten in an attack in his surgery. Pictures: Supplied

A celebrity cosmetic dentist who was ordered to repay $8 million to a property developer was dragged away from a patient he was treating, and savagely beaten with a claw hammer.

Classic Smiles owner William Zafiropoulos, 54, had his skull and arm fractured in the gruesome attack when two masked men stormed his Miranda dental surgery last Friday.

Police believe the attack on Dr Zafiropoulos — who was last year ordered by a court to repay his $7.89 million “spotters fee” to a Sydney property developer — was targeted.

There is no suggestion of any involvement by the developer or any connection to the court proceedings.

“About 9.15am last Friday, two unknown men, who were armed with hammers, entered a dental surgery at Miranda, approaching the owner, who was assisting a patient,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Dr Zafiropoulos’ many satisfied celeb and high profile patients include well-known businessman Fadi Ibrahim, pictured.

“The men directed the owner … to another room of the surgery and assaulted him before fleeing the scene.”

Terrified reception staff called Triple-0 after seeing Dr Zafiropoulos dragged away into a store room, then hearing him moaning for help.

Dr Zafiropoulos was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery for head injuries while police forensically examined the crime scene at his business.

The popular surgery was closed on Tuesday with no mention of when it would reopen.

Dr Zafiropoulos was embroiled in a high-profile court case in 2021 when the NSW Supreme Court ordered he repay the $7.89 million he received in a “spotters’ fee” from developer Fred Deiri.

The dentist claimed he was paid the fee after introducing the developer and his associates to a commercial site where an apartment complex was earmarked to be built.

Dr Zafiropoulos told the court he had a signed agreement for the fee which he kept in a gun safe at his home, but there was a robbery at the property and the safe with the paperwork was stolen.

Judge Julie Ward ordered Dr Zafiropoulos repay the money, saying a promise to pay such an enormous fee for finding an apartment block site was “inherently implausible”.

The Daily Telegraph understands the full amount has not yet been repaid, although there is no suggestion this is in any way linked to the hammer attack.

Dr Zafiropoulos, whose past clients include well-known businessman Fadi Ibrahim, describes himself as a leader in implant and cosmetic surgery.

“Dr William has over 28 years of experience as a cosmetic dentist in Sydney and has mentored and trained a number of leading dentists in the art of creating truly beautiful dental veneers,” the website states.

“In 2008 Dr William established one of the Sydney eastern suburbs leading cosmetic dentistry practices at Spring St, Bondi Junction where clients included celebrities, TV stars and international models whose smiles graced the covers of magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue.”

Dr Zafiropoulos and his surgery staff did not respond to requests for comment.