Senior dentists quit Gold Coast dental roll-up Smiles Inclusive claiming mismanagement

Smiles has responded after senior dentists made a major decision amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

SENIOR dentists at embattled Burleigh-based Smiles Inclusive have quit the company just days after CEO Tony McCormack stepped down.

Dr Philip Makepeace, Dr Huma Syed, Dr Arthur Walsh and Dr John Camacho, said they were terminating their supply and facilities agreements with “immediate effect” claiming incompetence and false promises by the company. They sent a letter to Smiles with the names of an additional 12 dentists stating they would no longer be working for the company.

However, Smiles late yesterday disputed the claim saying the four dentists had terminated their agreements but not the others named in the letter.

Smiles Inclusive has been forced to close its practices except for emergency work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: iStock

“The Company is in the process of contacting the dentists named in Dr Camacho’s letter to understand their intentions and is committed to work with them wherever possible. The majority of those dentists have informed the Company that they were unaware of Dr Camacho’s letter to the Company and have stated that it is not their intention to terminate their service agreements,” the company said.

Since listing, the company has been plagued by problems including senior management changes, boardroom battles, lawsuits and practices shutting due to COVID-19.

Smiles Inclusive launched on the ASX in 2018 but has been plagued by problems ever since. Photo: iStock

The company has been bleeding cash and shares were suspended on March 2 after the company failed to file its half-year results.

Earlier this month the company sent a letter to staff and dentists stating it could not pay dentists their commission for March, nor staff wages due on April 8 for the previous two weeks.

Mr McCormack stepped down as CEO on Tuesday and was replaced by deputy CEO Michelle Aquilina.

Dr Makepeace said the partnership promised prior to the IPO, whereby the dentists would work with the company to create a profitable model for both parties, was not fulfilled.

“We trust Smiles’ new CEO … will do the right thing. Meanwhile we will now get on with rebuilding our lives and careers,” Dr Makepeace said.

“Our single biggest regret is what our loyal staff have been put through. We made a mistake.

“We apologise to our staff. We are sorry. It won’t happen again.”