Cosmetic dentist James Hanna breaches license for failed drug tests after repeat cocaine charges

After James Hanna was found by police with eleven bags of cocaine he failed to inform the Dental Council and went on to fail a number of drug tests.

Dentist James Hanna, right, outside court with his legal team.

Sydney cosmetic dentist James Hanna has been found to have breached his industry code of conduct for regularly missing and failing random drug tests after two cocaine possession charges.

Dr Hanna came under scrutiny from the Healthcare Complaints Commission when he failed to inform the Dental Council about his offences, before repeatedly missing mandatory urine testing.

The HCCC lodged six complaints against him in the Civil and Administrative Tribunal after many of the drug tests he did take were found to be diluted or flagged traces of cocaine in his system. The Tribunal’s judgment, released on Tuesday, upheld the complaints against him.

Dr Hanna, 36, a Griffith University graduate, runs his own practice in Baulkham Hills.

In November 2020 Dr Hanna was pulled over near Wallerawang in rural NSW for reckless driving. When police searched his vehicle they found 11 bags of cocaine totalling 6.9g.

Dr Hanna tested positive in a mandatory drug test for cocaine and cannabis. He was fined and had his licence suspended for three months.

His barrister alleged during the February 2021 trial that Dr Hanna was suffering stress due to the death of a family member and his demanding job.

Cosmetic dentist James Hanna was found in possession of 6.9g of cocaine in 2021

He did not receive a criminal conviction and was placed on a two-year conditional release.

Dr Hanna had faced court for cocaine possession in 2012. That offence was also found proven but did not lead to a conviction.

Dr Hanna did not notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or Dental Council of either charge, breaching the law. In registration renewal applications he also denied any relevant change to his criminal history.

After health authorities became aware of Dr Hanna’s charges through media reports, the HCCC referred the matter to the Dental Council. It was deemed Dr Hanna must attend a hair follicle drug test if he wanted to continue practising.

After failing to attend in August 2021, he eventually appeared and tested positive for cocaine.

He was subject to random urine testing and was clean from November 30 to December 2.

From 2022 Dr Hanna began to miss tests without explanation. In December 2021 he handed in two samples that were found to be diluted. The Tribunal said this appeared to indicate an intention to mislead those overseeing his medical probationary conditions.

On January 21, 2022, Dr Hanna tested positive for cocaine metabolites below the mandatory reporting cut-off. This pattern of regular absence from tests, dilution of samples and below-threshold cocaine readings continued through subsequent tests.

Dr Hanna was found to have complied with only 40 per cent of his tests between November 23 and March 18, leading to a registration suspension. It was reinstated in September on the condition he comply with testing and see a psychiatrist who specialised in addiction.

His licence was again suspended and reinstated in the period leading up to proceedings. From May 29 to November 3 2023, Dr Hanna attended 17 more random tests that were clean. His licence to practice is valid to July.

Two cocaine-positive urine samples were arbitrated before the Tribunal. Dr Hanna blamed one positive test in February 2023 on borrowing cigarettes at a party, saying the cigarettes contained cocaine but he was not aware because he was drunk. He said this may also have happened prior to a positive result in February 2022. The judgment said the Tribunal “did not get the impression he was being truthful”.

Dr Hanna was found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct. The HCCC is seeking a one-year registration suspension. Dr Hanna declined to comment.