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When a dentist died at a casino leaving a trail of lost money, patients in agony demanded answers. Now, his elusive wife reveals to LUCY MANLY her husband’s final, shocking betrayal

BBG News

Claremont is considered one of Perth’s most prestigious neighborhoods, featuring a blend of high-end properties, esteemed private educational institutions, and families who seem to enjoy a life filled with prosperity and good fortune.

Hidden within the lush privacy of a Spanish villa on an elite street, a bustling hive of action unfolds.

Tradespeople frequently visit, transforming a three-car garage into an improvised carpentry studio, while a bin in the driveway brims with remnants from ongoing home improvements.

Dr. Clara Hurst, a well-known figure in Perth society who previously practiced dentistry and now enjoys driving a Range Rover, owns this property. Her accomplishments in the thriving field of cosmetic injectables have secured her a notable position among the city’s high-class circles.

1) She’s the proprietor of the high-end hair salon, Blanc, located just over in Cottesloe, and she also helped establish an online skincare service that provides prescriptions, called The Secret.

But beneath the polished façade lies a more troubling story.

For several months, Clara has been neglecting contact attempts by as many as 132 patients who had previously consulted her late spouse, Dr. David Hurst, a dentist whose professional collapse resulted in both financial and emotional devastation for numerous individuals.

Last December 10th, I experienced an unexpected loss when my esteemed mentor, Dr David Hurst, passed away at the Crown Perth casino. At that very moment, my beloved wife Clara and our two cherished children were enjoying a holiday in beautiful Bali.

Although the specific details surrounding his demise are kept private, we can disclose that it’s not being handled as a case requiring further investigation.

In the months that followed, the true scale of the damage he left behind began to surface.

Prior to his passing, it was discovered that Dr. Hurst had illegally taken approximately $7.1 million from Perth Dental Rooms, a dental practice he managed, causing the business to become financially unstable. The report from the liquidator showed that around $4.1 million was taken within an 18-month span, during which the clinic only earned profits of roughly $2.7 million.

By the time administrators were called in, the company owed nearly $4.8million to creditors.

Straight away following his demise, Clara Hurst – who was stunned and engulfed by grief – took over the management duties of the business as a caretaker.

In June 2023, it was revealed that her husband had kept secret from her the fact that Perth Dental Rooms had been operating while financially insolvent for quite some time.

In a heartfelt declaration, channeled through a top-tier crisis PR agency, I leapt into the fray when the going got tough for this remarkable dental enterprise. With the sage counsel of esteemed experts, I navigated the challenging waters to ensure its uninterrupted voyage forward.

‘Both these advisors and myself were surprised to eventually discover the business was insolvent.’

Once it was clear, they put the company under the management of a licensed bankruptcy expert, she noted.

The company’s records show that a total of $2.36 million was paid in advance by patients for dental implants and pricier treatments, which were frequently performed under some form of duress.

Doctor Hurst followed a practice of requesting payment upfront and often suggested that patients consider using their retirement savings (superannuation) to cover their treatments. However, as per the Australian Taxation Office regulations, withdrawing super early is allowed only in specific situations, such as for dental care under compassionate grounds.

A significant number of patients, who had spent a substantial amount, often tens of thousands, were only partially treated before Hurst’s unexpected demise. These individuals were among the lucky ones. Regrettably, others were left empty-handed or in a more dire situation, with subpar work that necessitated corrective operations.

During my exploration of this case, I had conversations with various past patients of Dr. Hurst. Their descriptions of events in his office were unsettling.

If Hurst Group Pty Ltd, the company that has been liquidated, is the entity in question, individuals aiming to recover losses or remedy any harm done may need to file negligence lawsuits against the deceased dentist’s professional liability insurance policy.

However, handling these claims isn’t a simple task. As the appointed executor of her late husband’s estate, Clara Hurst is the one responsible for receiving and dealing with these claims.

During my research, it was found out that approximately ten years prior, Dr David Hurst came to Australia with a questionable past.

A dentist hailing from the Vale of Glamorgan, South-East Wales, was given a suspended prison term in 2012 for stealing approximately AU$41,225 (equivalent to £15,584 at the time) across 69 instances, from the United Kingdom’s National Health Service. This amount is an approximation of what it would be valued today.

In 2013, I made the permanent move to Australia and, remarkably, found no obstacles in my path when it came to re-registering as a dentist, even with a criminal background from the UK.

56-year-old Amanda McQuillan, hailing from Greenwood located in Perth’s northern region, spent $60,000 from her retirement savings to have dental implants performed by Dr Hurst. This was a result of surviving a domestic violence incident that caused permanent damage to the nerves in her teeth.

Since I turned 24, it was clear to me that all my teeth would eventually fall out. Raising three kids single-handedly was my responsibility, and at that time, the cost of dental care was beyond my reach. Fortunately, they have all grown up now.

Reflecting on myself, at 56, I find vitality within me yet. I decide to withdraw some funds for the purpose of improving my dental health, so as not to be constantly reminded each day of a past event that occurred 30 years ago.

At their first meeting, Amanda found Dr. Hurst both engaging and proficient. However, during their subsequent visit, Amanda started to experience a sense of discomfort.

In my second consultation, upon viewing the scans, there was an unmistakable impression that he had recently indulged quite heavily in alcohol, I can still recall it vividly today.

His unshaven face gave him a weary appearance, which made me worried. If something were to happen to him after my operation, I’d be left without support.

I left him taken aback when I inquired, and he confirmed that it wouldn’t transpire. Moreover, his secretary mentioned that he is insured against any potential mishaps.

Initially, Doctor Hurst promised that the process would be finished by Christmas. However, the deadline got moved to February instead.

Then, in December, he died. Amanda never received a single treatment.

I’m beyond frustrated because what happened has stripped away my aspirations and opportunities for healing from my past pain,” I shared, fighting back tears.

Multiple ex-patients claim they received faulty dental procedures, leading them to need expensive ongoing medical care.

It angered many more people when it was found out that Clara Hurst moved $370,000 from her deceased husband’s inheritance to pay off her mortgage, as records indicate the Claremont property requires a large $54,000 payment each month.

Clara maintains that the transaction took place prior to her discovering the extent of her spouse’s financial wrongdoings.

She stated that transactions made, presuming the business was profitable before it was found out to be insolvent, have since been undone or nullified following appropriate guidance.

Our stance aligns with the findings reported by the administrator, which indicate that it’s not appropriate to imply wrongdoing.

Annette Young, age 56, residing in Madora Bay, has been coping with persistent pain for over three decades following a hit-and-run incident that severely damaged most of her teeth.

Overwhelmed by pain, she parted with $52,800 to have Dr Hurst perform a mix of implants and veneers. However, instead, she’s battling to consume food and endures persistent discomfort due to what she terms as faulty dental treatment.

Annette stated, “He wore down my teeth so severely that one needed to be extracted, and another one died.

‘I have also had to spend a further $3,000 on a root canal.

I’ve considered having them repaired in Bangkok, but it would be quite costly and potentially problematic since it’s quite a distance from where I live.

The patients were told to send their health insurance claims through an email account specifically for this purpose, which is managed by Clara Hurst. However, as reported by Annette, herself and a number of people she communicates with have not received any replies yet.

After being compelled, she had to refinance her house, releasing $30,000 as a desperate measure for dental repairs needed to fix the damage in her mouth.

Clarified that she had been contacted with several possible allegations concerning her deceased spouse’s dental clinic.

She stated, “I’ve made sure to properly notify everyone concerned about any possible claims relating to my late husband’s estate, as his executor.

As a deeply empathetic soul, I find myself profoundly moved by those who, much like my late spouse’s patients, have been left without treatment. It is my earnest wish that the dedicated professionals handling his estate affairs will tirelessly persist in their endeavors, striving to recoup value for these individuals.

Immediately following the demise of Dr. Hurst, Clara enlisted Aria Dental to attend to a number of his previous patients who needed prompt dental attention.

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but feel a pang of concern. Aria, the talent we all adore, finds itself in an unfortunate predicament. Unpaid for its work, it now stands as a significant creditor in the liquidation process, awaiting a hefty sum of $465,858 that is rightfully theirs.

As a die-hard devotee, I’d passionately rephrase it like this: Aria herself disclosed to Annette that her treatment was botched due to mismanagement, with Dr. Hurst allegedly employing substandard materials, which were presumably imported from foreign lands.

‘He placed two screws up top too close together and hid it with a bridge,’ she said.

‘Aria Dental removed the screws and re-placed them in the correct position.

The item doesn’t meet Australian standards, yet I’ve spent $52,800 without receiving any warranty coverage for parts that are inside my mouth.

Regardless of any recent issues, Clara Hurst’s luxury clinic and skincare line carry on operating in a routine manner. The sole indication of disruption can be seen in the temporary deactivation of her Instagram profile.

As a dedicated follower, I’d like to clarify that the continuous remodeling of my Claremont property is entirely self-funded. Any speculations to the contrary are unwarranted.

As your trusted lifestyle advisor, I must share some unfortunate news regarding my late spouse’s estate. Regrettably, I have yet to receive any funds from it, and recent indications suggest that the estate may be facing financial instability or insolvency.

While I was visiting Perth, Clara Hurst went out of her way not to talk to me. When I phoned to ask for a comment, she ended the call abruptly – after which she marked my message as ‘spam and abusive’ on WhatsApp, leading to my account being temporarily blocked.

A few days past, it’s said that she hired a PR agency for assistance. It seems that she and her kids will be traveling to Europe soon.

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2025-06-10 17:35

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