• Public
    • What is the NSRDDA?
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • If You Have a Complaint
    • Concerns about Dental Fees
    • Directory of Licensed Dentists and Dental Assistants
    • Communication with Staff
    • Canadian Dental Care Plan
    • Mass Casualty Commission Report
  • Registrants
    • Dentists
    • Dental Assistants
    • Practice Standards and Guidelines
    • Continuing Competence
    • Dental Practice Review
  • Applicants
    • Dentists
    • Dental Assisting
    • Internationally Educated Dental Professionals
    • Registration Policies
    • Certifying Documents
    • Appealing an Unsuccessful Application for Registration and Licensing
    • Certificate of Standing
    • NSRDDA Fee Schedule
    • The Role of Third Party Assessors in Registration and Licensing
    • Temporary Authorization for Dentists
    • Vulnerable Sector Check
  • Publications
  • Professional Conduct
  • About
    • Legislation Governing the NSRDDA
    • NSRDDA Bylaws
    • Current Board Members
    • Committees
    • Related Legislation
    • Privacy Policy
    • The Repealed 1992 Dental Act
    • The Amended 1992 Dental Act
    • Regulations Under 1992 Dental Act
  • Contact
  • Find a Licensee
  • Registrant Portal

Complaint Committee Meetings - 2025

January 30, 2025 Meeting

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.

November 17, 2025 Meeting

NSRDDA- 2025- 08  After hearing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee held their decision.  During this investigation, additional concerns arising from patient files were identified by members of the panel. This included possible billing irregularities and questionable practice standards applied to informed consent, diagnosis, treatment planning and overall patient management.

Your Title Goes Here

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Your Title Goes Here

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

February 20, 2025 Meeting

PDBNS- 2024- 25  After hearing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee passed a motion to dismiss the complaint.

PDBNS- 2024- 18  After hearing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee passed a motion to dismiss the complaint.

PDBNS- 2024- 21  After hearing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee passed a motion to issue a Caution to the registrant.

In the complaint Patient A alleges they were charged for services that were not provided.  Specifically, they describe undergoing an assessment and provision of a prescription for antibiotics by Dr. X and was then billed for ‘Periodontal abscess or pericoronitis treatment” (with reference to billing code 42831) and asserts that no such treatment was provided. 

Members of the panel questioned Dr. X’s submission of the treatment code 42831 to the insurance company.  It was noted that treatment code 42831 is in the “PERIODONTAL SERVICES, SURGICAL” section. Further, the heading for the 42831 includes the following descriptor:

“any of the following procedures: lancing, scaling, curettage, surgery or medication”.

 In the absence of thorough prima facie documentation regarding Dr. X’s observations, diagnosis, and surgical application of a medication to address Patient A’s periodontal infection, panelists concluded that Dr. X had charged a fee for a service that was not performed. It was also noted that the inappropriate use of billing codes erodes public trust and confidence in dentistry.

 Members of the panel determined 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) “breach of, or failure to observe, the Code of Ethics”, “Offenses” detailed as follows:

  • charging for fees that are not performed – Section 4(1)(f).
  • contributed to a loss of trust in dentistry – Section 4(1)(d).
  • fees for professional services performed were not justified – Section 3(d)(4).
  • claims for services to a third party insurer did not accurately reflect the services rendered – Section 3(d)(5

About

The Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting (NSRDDA) is the legislated body whose role it is to protect the public interest in matters related to dental care. We do this by:

  • ensuring that only qualified individuals are licensed as dentist and dental assistants,
  • establishing standards of practice, and
  • dealing with complaints related to standards of care, professionalism, and ethics.”

Learn More

Latest Release

Dr. Laura Whitman – Custodian of Dental Records Appointed

Jul 9, 2026 | Notices

Contact

210 Waterfront Drive, Suite 103
Bedford, NS  B4A 0H3  Canada

View on Google Maps

Toll Free: 1-866-326-1046
Phone: (902) 420-0083
Fax: (902) 492-0301

© Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy