Wilrijk Dentist Faces Trial Over Alleged Abuse of Patients
A 72-year-old dentist from Wilrijk, near Antwerp, is facing trial after around 70 former patients reported alleged sexual abuse during dental appointments.
The dentist, identified as Carl S., worked for years in his own practice in Wilrijk and was also active in hospitals and professional dental organizations. Several patients had been referred to him by their regular dentists.
According to investigators, some patients were told they needed a special throat treatment to remove mucus or clean their throat. However, the procedure allegedly involved the dentist repeatedly putting his fingers deep into their throats.
For years, patients questioned why the dentist appeared to focus on their throats rather than their teeth. Some said they initially trusted his medical explanation and did not immediately believe that anything inappropriate had happened.
The case came to light after a patient filed a complaint in late 2024. Police then searched the dentist’s home and practice and seized several computers. Investigators reportedly found video footage that became an important part of the case.
In one video, according to the investigation, the dentist is accused of engaging in sexual behavior during a treatment involving a patient. When confronted with the footage, S. reportedly admitted that he sometimes became sexually aroused during treatments, while denying that he had carried out sexual acts with most of the patients.
After his arrest in April 2025, the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office appealed to possible victims to contact the police. Dozens of former patients came forward in the following weeks.
In total, around 70 people reported similar experiences dating back to the period between 1995 and 2024. Investigators and medical experts reportedly found no recognized medical procedure corresponding to the so-called throat treatment described by the dentist.
Some former patients also reported other inappropriate examinations, allegations that S. strongly denies.
Investigators additionally found several images involving child sexual abuse on one of the seized computers. S. denies any connection to those images and says he does not know how they ended up on his computer.
The Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance, known as RIZIV, has also joined the case as a civil party. It is seeking around 45,000 euro that it says was improperly charged for the alleged throat treatments.
The investigation was completed last year, and prosecutors concluded that there was enough evidence to bring the case before a court.
S. is due to appear before the criminal court in Antwerp on Wednesday. His lawyer, John Maes, said the defense will present its position during the proceedings.
Several alleged victims have joined the case as civil parties. Some say the experiences have continued to affect them years later, including one woman who said she now prefers to see female dentists.
