The advocate representing an anaesthetist who was in charge of a dental procedure in which a schoolboy died says the public have a "sad lack of awareness" of the dangers of general anaesthesia.

Maria Maguire made her statement on the final day of a fatal accident inquiry into the death of Darren Denholm, 10, at the Peffermill Dental Clinic in Edinburgh in October.

She said the prevailing attitude remains that "having gas" was a routine matter.

He was unsupported. There was no team co-operation. There had been no practice. There was no emergency crash team

Advocate Maria Maguire

Ms Maguire, representing 54-year-old Dr John Evans-Appiah, said Darren's mother never considered there was a risk of her son dying during tooth extraction procedures.

"Her view was in accordance with the majority of the population of this country that a visit to the dentist should be a routine matter," said Ms Maguire.

Dr Evans-Appiah was heavily criticised by other parties during the inquiry, which lasted 16 days.

He was accused of not monitoring the boy's blood pressure or heart and was criticised for not administering life-saving shock treatment.

'Doing his best'

But Ms Maguire said: "In my submission, Dr Evans-Appiah was doing his best to save the child.

"He was unsupported. There was no team co-operation. There had been no practice. There was no emergency crash team."

Ms Maguire pointed out that dentist, Hallgier Pedersen, had had only five days experience of extractions under general anaesthesia.

She added that the anaesthetic assistant, provided by the Peffermill Clinic, had no qualifications or training and the dental nurse was studying at Telford College for her qualifications.

Clinic boss criticised

Ms Maguire also rounded on the owner of the Peffermill Clinic, Maurice Beckett.

She said: "He cannot escape the responsibility of running the clinic. He was the man who put this disastrous combination together."

Ms Maguire stressed that neither Darren's regular dentist, Paul Shields, nor Mr Pedersen had explained to Mrs Denholm the risks associated with general anaesthesia.

The General Medical Council, she said, had clear flaws in its system of registering overseas doctors.

She also urged the General Dental Council to fall into line with the Royal College of Anaesthetists in supporting calls for all operations under general anaesthesia to take place in hospital.

Ms Maguire's statement marked the end of submissions at the inquiry.

Sheriff Nigel Morrison, QC, is expected to issue his determination in the new year.