Inside Dr Clara Hurst’s Booming Beauty Empire — and Her Quiet Role in Husband’s Failed Dental Clinic

While Perth cosmetic injector Dr Clara Hurst has been celebrated for building one of WA’s fastest-growing skin studios, speculation is growing around her behind-the-scenes role in the now-collapsed dental empire of her late husband, Dr David Hurst.

David Hurst — whose sudden death in December 2024 left more than 130 patients without treatment or refunds — was the founder of Perth Dental Rooms, a luxury CBD dental clinic that fell into liquidation weeks after his passing.

Patients were told they were unsecured creditors, with some out of pocket tens of thousands of dollars for incomplete cosmetic and implant procedures.

Now, scrutiny is mounting over how Clara’s rapidly expanding clinic, Blanc, grew during the same period her husband’s business was spiraling — and whether she played a role in the quiet acquisition or absorption of key assets from her husband’s failed venture.

Blanc, which opened in 2019, has been held up as a pandemic success story, reportedly tripling in size in just three years.

Dr Hurst, a former dentist herself, transitioned into cosmetic injectables and dermal therapies, building a luxury clinic known for its spa-inspired interiors and medically-led treatments.

She now operates a multi-unit premises in Perth’s western suburbs, with treatment rooms spanning both medical aesthetics and wellness.

She has also spoken publicly about strategic expansion, increased marketing investment, and high client retention.

But insiders say the timing and branding crossovers between Blanc and Perth Dental Rooms — including treatment similarities, shared suppliers, and even digital overlaps — suggest Dr Hurst may have played a larger role in her husband’s operations than previously disclosed.

Although Perth Dental Rooms was registered solely under Dr David Hurst’s name, sources say Dr Clara Hurst was seen at the clinic frequently, and was “deeply involved in business decisions.”

Several cosmetic clients reported being referred between the two clinics. One former Perth Dental Rooms patient said she was advised to book a facial follow-up at “Blanc by Clara.”

Others noted that Blanc’s service menu expanded to include high-end medical skin treatments around the same time Perth Dental Rooms began scaling down operations.

According to an article from Spa+Clinic, Dr. Clara Hurst, founder of Blanc Skin Clinic, diversified the clinic's offerings to include both dermal therapy and medical treatments following a new fit-out.

This strategic expansion allowed the clinic to cater to clients seeking both spa-inspired and medically-led treatments.

Concurrently, Perth Dental Rooms experienced a significant downturn during the same period.

Reports indicate that over 130 patients were left in financial limbo after the collapse of the practice, which involved the misappropriation of $7.1 million by its now-deceased owner.

The timing of Blanc Skin Clinic's expansion and the decline of Perth Dental Rooms suggests a possible correlation between the two events.Blanc’s website does not reference Perth Dental Rooms or any takeover.

However, following David Hurst’s death, Blanc continued operating without interruption.

Meanwhile, liquidators confirmed that Hurst Group Pty Ltd — which owned Perth Dental Rooms — had insufficient assets to repay patient debts.

Neither Clara Hurst nor representatives from Blanc have commented on whether she had any formal involvement in her late husband’s clinic, nor whether any assets, databases, or clients were transferred.

However, this did not stop some affected patients from calling for transparency.

“We deserve to know if the person who benefited from our cancelled treatments is still trading,” one patient said.

“We paid upfront for dental care, and then got ghosted when the clinic went under.”

Dr David Hurst was earlier revealed to have had a criminal conviction in the UK for defrauding the NHS.

Despite this, he was able to gain entry into Australia, obtain dental registration, and open a private clinic.

Dr Clara Hurst, who also trained and worked as a dentist in the UK in London, has not publicly commented on her knowledge of her husband’s criminal past or the circumstances surrounding the collapse of his business.

Blanc remains a high-performing clinic, regularly featured in beauty publications and recently hiring an in-house marketing team to manage growth.

As patients await answers and compensation from liquidators, legal experts say it may be time to probe whether assets or intellectual property from Perth Dental Rooms were transferred to associated parties — including family.

“If a related party received assets or patient databases after liquidation, it raises serious ethical and financial questions,” one insolvency lawyer said.

AHPRA and consumer watchdogs have yet to announce any formal investigation.

Meanwhile, Clara Hurst continues to promote Blanc as an independent success, having told one publication: “The key to growth is knowing when to expand and how to keep your clients loyal.”

For dozens of former Perth Dental Rooms patients — still chasing answers — those words now carry a bitter edge.