A 56-year-old Woodford Green man attacked a dental nurse and hurled racist abuse at a receptionist after he was unhappy with his dental treatment, a court has heard.

Mohammed Khan, of Chigwell Road, is charged with beating and racially abusing staff members at Oasis Dental Practice, South Woodford, as well as intimidating a witness.

His trial began yesterday (Wednesday) at Romford Magistrates’ Court. He denies the charges.

The court heard that Mr Khan had visited the dental practice in Glebelands Avenue on January 5 for an appointment.

But receptionist Nadine White told the court that when he returned downstairs: “His attitude and body language had completely changed. He was complaining that the appointment wasn’t long enough, and that the nurse wasn’t very good.

“He became very upset when we told him he would have to pay £50 up front for a hygienist appointment. He started swearing at us, saying we were liars.”

Ms White told magistrates that Mr Khan became so irate in front of two patients and another member of staff that he hurled racist abuse at her.

The court heard that she was forced to call the police out of fears for her and her colleague’s safety. Mr Khan denied this, adding that he had only accused the staff of telling him a “pack of lies” about the treatment.

Dental nurse Michelle Harris also alleged that Mr Khan had pushed her in the chest, after she had tried to coax him away from the reception area.

She told the magistrates: “I have never seen anything like this.

“Nothing like this has happened to me in my 27 years as a dental nurse.”

Receptionist Ms White added that Mr Khan had returned to the surgery a few days later with a gift of chocolates.

She told the court: “He came in to apologise and we had a conversation.

“I told him it wasn’t necessary. He said I should still accept it so I took them and went upstairs because I was scared.”

Mr Khan denied the allegations.

The trial continues.