A FORMER Barnstaple dentist is under investigation by the profession's governing body.

Emmanouil Parisis is on remand facing fraud charges.

But he faces a second investigation into how he managed to get registered as a dentist after allegedly faking his death.

Parisis used to live at Fallowfields in Barnstaple and worked at the St John's dental surgery in the town.

Last year he was believed to have died in a car crash in Jordan.

But he re-registered with the General Dental Council under another name, Neil McClaren, and began work at a dental practice in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

In a statement Moira Anderson for the GDC said: "The GDC can confirm that Mr Parisis appeared on our register as both Emmanouil Parisis and at a later date as Neil McClaren.

"The GDC's Registrar has subsequently referred Mr McClaren to our Interim Orders Committee (IOC) and as such we will not comment further on the case at this time."

She also said cases like the one involving Emmanouil Parisis were very uncommon.

The IOC can suspend a dentist or impose conditions to protect the public while an investigation is carried out by one of three practice committees.

The practice committees can impose interim suspension or conditions if immediate action is necessary for the protection of the public, pending the final decision on a case.

A GDC spokesman said: "Our registration process is robust and if any questions are raised over the authenticity of documents provided we would seek further clarification from the issuing authority or use agencies such as NARIC.

"UK NARIC is the National Agency responsible for providing information, advice and expert opinion on vocational, academic and professional skills and qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide."

Parisis was arrested in Peterhead on June 22 by Devon police.

He and his wife and sister-in-law are accused of a £1.8million insurance fraud.

The GDC says it was unaware that Parisis re-registered as McClaren until July 22 and is now looking into how it happened.

It is illegal to practice as a dentist unless registered with the GDC.

To gain GDC registration applicants from the UK and inside the European Economic Area (EEA) must provide checkable paperwork, including a certified copy of their dental degree, an original Certificate of Current Professional Status (CCPS) which is issued by the relevant EEA competent dental authority and must be no more than three months from date of issue.

If applicable, a certificate issued by the competent dental authority verifying that the dental training meets EEA standards or the applicant has completed a required amount of postgraduate practice.

All copies must be correctly certified by a Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, Justice of Peace or other entitled to practise law or an authorised officer of an embassy or consulate.

All documents that are not issued in English must be accompanied by an authorised translation.

All names must correspond on documentation. Any discrepancies must be accounted for with documentary evidence (eg marriage certificate, deed poll).

Evidence of EEA nationality and identity by means of a certified copy of a current passport.