Erin Betts

The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario held a discipline hearing regarding allegations that the Registrant failed to comply with an order of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) to attend an oral caution and complete an ethics course.

The Registrant also failed to cooperate with the College's subsequent investigation.

The Discipline Committee found that the College proved the allegations on a balance of probabilities and concluded that the Registrant committed professional misconduct, including disgraceful, dishonourable, unprofessional, and unbecoming conduct.

The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario brought disciplinary proceedings against the respondent for failing to complete a required ethics course and jurisprudence module, and for practising while suspended.

The respondent admitted to the allegations of professional misconduct.

The Discipline Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand, a three-month suspension, completion of specified courses, and $2,400 in costs.

The registrant, a dental hygienist, provided treatment to her romantic partner with whom she had an intimate sexual relationship.

She mistakenly believed a spousal exemption had been enacted.

The Discipline Committee accepted an Agreed Statement of Facts and found that the conduct constituted professional misconduct, specifically sexual abuse of a patient.

The Committee revoked the registrant's certificate of registration, ordered a reprimand, and required her to pay $750 in costs.