Dr Mohammad Azizul Karim suspended after kissing patient in Ringwood

A tribunal has slammed a sleazy doctor who “seriously failed’’ patients at a Ringwood dental clinic with his lecherous behavior.

Dr Mohammad Azizul Karim had his employment terminated at a Ringwood medical centre after his actions.

A dodgy doctor who kissed a patient at a Ringwood medical centre has been barred from practising after he “seriously failed” in his conduct.

Dr Mohammad Azizul Karim, 68, fronted a VCAT hearing earlier this month over allegations of “professional misconduct” stemming from an incident in 2018 at Seymour Street Medical and Dental Centre.

The tribunal heard Dr Karim hugged a patient following a consultation before trying to kiss her as she attempted to leave. Matthew Condello, appearing for the Medical Board of Australia, submitted the incident left the victim feeling “violated”.

Dr Karim pleaded guilty and was convicted of unlawful assault of the victim in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in 2019. He was terminated from the Seymour Street practice after proceedings were brought against him.

The tribunal also heard Dr Karim had performed a similar action in 2009 where he kissed a patient's forehead and wiped away her tears in their first consultation and kissed her on the cheek in their second consultation. A charge of “professional misconduct” was proven after this incident.

The tribunal delivered its orders and written reasons for the 2018 incident which found the allegations to be proven and constituted “professional misconduct” again.

Dr Karim was reprimanded and suspended for nine months from March 7, 2023. He will complete an education program focused on “maintaining appropriate professional boundaries” for a minimum of four hours and a reflective report.

The tribunal noted the delay of the hearing — which was initially abandoned in March 2022 — stopped them from delivering a longer suspension.

The tribunal found he had “seriously failed” both of the patients involved in the two separate incidents but they believed Dr Karim would be “highly aware” of professional boundaries after the training and suspension.

They did not find Dr Karim’s actions to be “inconsistent with him being a fit and proper” medical practitioner despite noting the “complete unacceptability of the conduct in question”.