In Marseille, the trial of the dentist with 322 victims

Stéphane Burgatt (in Marseille), edited by Solène Leroux 06:17, February 28, 2022

Now struck off, the former dental practitioner is being prosecuted alongside his father for willful violence resulting in permanent disability or mutilation and fraud.

He is accused of having performed acts of dental surgery which had no place to be, for a jackpot estimated at several million euros.

They face up to ten years in prison and a fine of 375,000 euros.

Among the victims, 322 people are civil parties as well as five mutuals, Health Insurance and the Order of Dental Surgeons.

A special room has been set up in a former military barracks.

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“I will never be able to redo my life”

The victims still suffer in their flesh.

This is the case of Saleha.

Like her, many victims come from disadvantaged neighborhoods north of the city.

This mother of a family painfully recalls the past twelve years.

At the time, it must have been a simple visit, for a cracked tooth.

But the consultation will ultimately turn into a nightmare: “He butchered me, he ruined my life. He abused my trust, because I was taking care of my husband at the end of his life at the time. cut all the teeth. Then it was repeated abscesses. I had to undergo three operations because of him. I should have been wary when he kissed me and kept my vital card in his drawer."

No compensation since

In his district of La Castellane, many people have passed through the hands of the dentist.

Including several members of Saleha's family who, like her, are still awaiting compensation: "He butchered my daughter in particular when she was only 16. My niece too. At 30, she looks like an elderly person, because she has no more teeth. Since all this time, we have not been compensated and we have no money to have our teeth redone. I will never be able to start my life again with a mouth like that. Ever. I dare not smile, or put my hand in front."

The former dentist would have organized his insolvency

This trial will lead to heavy penalties according to Me Lionel Febraro, Saleha's lawyer and ten other civil parties.

But he fears that for compensation, the outcome will be a disappointment for everyone.

According to him, the former dentist organized his insolvency: "It's worse than that in fact. He took the precaution, even before these facts, to put all his assets under cover. Everything is dispatched in companies that do not belong to him. They are managed by his wife to whom he is married in separation of property. Lionel Guedj is now an employee of a luxury tobacconist managed by his wife.

This is why the lawyer is waiting for the authorities to take up this case, which he describes as a "health disaster".