RCDSO 2020

In a professional discipline hearing, the member admitted altering a patient record to change the treatment date, submitting a false insurance claim, and providing misleading information to an insurer.

The panel found professional misconduct under the Health Professions Procedural Code and the applicable professional misconduct regulation, concluding the conduct was dishonest and reasonably regarded as disgraceful, dishonourable, unprofessional or unethical.

The panel accepted a joint submission on penalty, holding that it fell within the appropriate range and served public protection, specific and general deterrence, and rehabilitation.

The member received a reprimand, a two-month suspension, remedial ethics education, practice monitoring conditions, and a $3000 costs order.

In a professional discipline hearing, the member admitted misconduct arising from criminal convictions for impaired operation causing death, dangerous operation causing death, and breach of recognizance.

The panel held that the criminal conduct, although outside a clinical setting, was relevant to the provision of dental care to the public because it demonstrated a serious disregard for public safety and undermined fundamental public expectations of regulated health professionals.

The panel accepted a joint penalty submission imposing a reprimand, a six-month suspension, practice monitoring and treatment-related conditions, and costs.

A publication ban was made permanent over certain personal information in the member’s affidavit.

In a professional discipline hearing, the member admitted multiple acts of misconduct arising from opioid prescribing to several patients over a prolonged period.

The panel found the admissions and agreed facts established failures to document diagnosis and justification, excessive quantities and frequency of opioid prescriptions, inadequate charting, and a lack of professional judgment, particularly concerning one patient.

The panel accepted a joint submission on penalty, emphasizing public protection, general and specific deterrence, and remediation.

The member received a four-month suspension, a permanent restriction on prescribing narcotic and controlled drugs, mandatory courses, practice monitoring, and costs.

Professional discipline decision arising from a member's admissions that she performed or billed for fixed prosthodontic treatment despite an undertaking and remediation order restricting that work, and that she used a business name inconsistent with the register.

The panel held that the agreed facts substantiated all allegations of professional misconduct on a balance of probabilities and emphasized the member's disregard for patient protection and regulatory obligations.

Applying the public-interest standard for joint submissions, the panel accepted a jointly proposed sanction consisting of a reprimand, an eight-month suspension, extensive practice conditions, mentoring, monitoring, and costs.

A publication ban protected the identity of patients named in the notice of hearing and agreed statement of facts.

In a professional discipline hearing, the member admitted misconduct involving deficient recordkeeping, falsified patient records, false or misleading insurance claims and billings, inflated laboratory charges, and unjustified repeat hygiene treatment.

The panel found the admitted conduct constituted professional misconduct under the governing health professions legislation and dentistry regulations, and emphasized that falsifying records and inaccurate billings are incompatible with professional standards.

Applying the public-interest approach to a joint penalty submission, the panel accepted a proposed sanction consisting of a six-month suspension, reprimand, extensive terms and conditions, practice monitoring, remedial courses, and costs.

The decision also maintained a publication restriction protecting patient identities.