Complaint Committee Meetings - 2025

PDBNS-2024-01 After reviewing the complaint against a dentist, the Complaints Committee passed a motion recommending the Discipline Committee accept the executed Settlement Agreement.

In the Settlement Agreement, Dr. X makes the following admissions regarding this complaint:

• Dr. X’s recordkeeping did not meet the standard of practice for a dentist licensed in Nova Scotia;
• Dr. X failed to meet the standard of skill, knowledge, and judgment that is reasonable in the practice of dentistry in Nova Scotia with respect to periodontal and orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.

The Settlement Agreement also contains agreed-upon sanctions, including that:

• Dr. X is required to successfully complete remedial courses that cover each of the following areas:
  • Recordkeeping;
  • Communication (i.e., informed consent); and
  • Periodontal and orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning as approved by the Deputy Registrar, at Dr. X’s own expense, within 24 months of the date of the Order approving this Settlement Agreement.
• Dr. X will remit to the PDBNS the sum of $5000 as a contribution to the PDBNS’ costs to investigate the complaint.

PDBNS-2024-11 After hearing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee passed a motion to issue a letter of reprimand.

In the complaint Patient A alleges Dr. X referred them to a specialist for root canal treatment on “one of my molars”.  When Patient A asked Dr. X to have the tooth pulled, they allege they were told “no… the roots were very intwined”.  Patient A also alleges that Dr. X proceeded with six fillings without their knowledge that more than two would be filled, and that their tongue had remained frozen for seven hours.  Patient A states that the tooth that had been referred for a root canal by Dr. X was extracted at [clinic name] without incident.

After deliberation, members of the panel acknowledged that given the presence of dental caries, the numerous restorations completed by Dr. X were justified as was the referral to assess the suitability of the tooth for RCT.  Members of the panel did, however, discuss the following serious concerns related to Patient A’s care:

• Panelists identified that clinical information, particularly regarding the long-term restorative needs for the tooth referred for the RCT, and accompanying implications regarding the modifications to Patient A’s partial denture, were not sufficiently disclosed or discussed;
• Given Dr. X’s responses to the panel, the lack of a comprehensive approved treatment plan, as well as scant chart notes to reflect relevant discussions about Patient A’s treatment and its sequelae, members of the panel determined that Dr. X’s process to achieve meaningful informed consent did not meet expectations outlined in the PDBNS Informed Consent Guidelines, particularly the critical element of disclosure of all pertinent details associated with Patient A’s dental needs and options for treatment.
• Dr. X’s patient record did not meet expectations outlined in the PDBNS Dental Recordkeeping Guidelines. Examples of deficiencies identified by panelists include (but are not limited to): the recording of medical information, clinical diagnoses and treatment options, a record that all reasonable treatment planning options were discussed including the cost of treatment, the proposed and accepted treatment plan, a notation that informed consent was obtained, clinical notes describing drugs used and prescription drugs records.

The members of the panel determined that Dr. X had breached Discipline Regulations under Sections 33 and 45 of the Nova Scotia Dental Act: Section 4(1) “Unprofessional Conduct” and Section 3(d) “Offences” detailed as follows:

• failed to obtain informed consent by not discussing all available treatment options, the risks and benefits of each option, the associated cost of each option, and the consequences of no treatment – Section 3(d);
• failed to maintain adequate patient records by not recording: a complete medical history update (including medications taken); significant investigations and findings (e.g., probing depths); a signed treatment plan; or notes regarding the explanation of treatment options and the nature of the conversation with the patient – Section 4(1)(g);
• failed to meet a reasonable standard of clinical assessment and treatment planning – Section 4(1)(c);
• contributed to a loss of trust in dentistry for Patient A – Section 4(1)(d).

PDBNS-2024-14  After hearing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee passed a motion to dismiss the complaint.

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