A dental practice have escaped punishment over £300,000 in false claims for treatments, it has been alleged.

The scandal surrounding Quadrant Dental Practice in Ayr was revealed when NHS Ayrshire and Arran were taken to an employment tribunal by a former staff member.

May Hendry, 57, won her case for constructive dismissal, saying the board had done nothing to protect her from false allegations made by dentists under investigation.

In a written judgment, judge Lucy Wiseman said the health board’s “desire to appease” the dentists lay at the heart of the case and Mrs Hendry’s mistreatment.

She said: “The board appeared to ‘favour’ these dentists and this was illustrated by the fact there was a complete inability on their part to act robustly.”

The tribunal in August heard there had been “widespread misclaiming” at the surgery, including claims for precious metals in crowns when they were not used.

The judgment states: “There was an indication that in the region of £300,000 had been misclaimed.”

It also alleges health board medical director Dr Alison Graham made it clear “there should be no criminal investigation”, despite a letter from one dentist admitting misclaiming.

The health board referred inquiries on dental payments to NHS National Services yesterday.

NHS National Services said some money had been repaid and “a number of investigations and processes” remain ongoing.

No one was available for comment at Quadrant.