Complaint Committee Meetings - 2026

PDBNS- 2025- 05  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 that complications arising from a gum graft to their lower right jaw performed by Dr. X, resulted in unmanageable post-operative bleeding and that the medical complications resulting from the poorly managed procedure and significant blood loss have negatively affected their health and quality of life.

Panelists reviewed patient care and administrative issues elucidated through Patient A’s complaint.  Panelists determined that Dr. X did not fully meet the standard of care for the management of Patient A’s medical risk, post-operative follow up and for communication related to achieving meaningful informed consent.

The panel determined that several factors in Patient A’s recent history, namely a recent blood clot requiring a change of blood thinning medication, report of prolonged bleeding following a finger cut, and the fact that they were taking more than one blood thinner, suggested that Patient A presented a higher risk for post-operative bleeding.  Panelists asserted that this should have been questioned and followed up more carefully prior to undertaking elective surgery.  They acknowledged that the post-periodontal surgery bleeding contributed to circumstances requiring an Emergency Department visit and cauterization to manage an acute situation.

PDBNS- 2025- 04  After reviewing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee confirmed the Registrar Dismissal.

PDBNS- 2025- 03  After reviewing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee confirmed the Registrar Dismissal.

PDBNS- 2024- 30  After continued deliberations from a previous meeting in 2025, the Committee passed a motion to dismiss the complaint against a dental assistant.

NSRDDA- 2025- 09  After hearing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee passed a motion to dismiss the complaint.

NSRDDA- 2025- 22  After hearing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee passed a motion to dismiss the complaint, but that a practice review be undertaken by the Regulator within the next 12 months to monitor compliance with the Informed Consent Guidelines and Dental Recordkeeping Guidelines, specifically documentation of discussions regarding diagnosis, clinical rationale, treatment planning, and informed consent.  Panelists emphasized that “if it’s not documented, it didn’t happen”; this is especially critical for patients whose understanding may be compromised by pain and/or language barriers. 

NSRDDA- 2025- 15  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 that treatment was performed without informed consent, the treatment was unsuccessful requiring a further root canal, which was also unsuccessful, that an adjacent tooth was damaged during the treatment, and was denied access to dental records when requested.

Panelists reviewed patient care and administrative issues elucidated through Patient A’s complaint.  Members of the panel determined that Dr. X did not fully meet standards of practice with respect to recordkeeping (as outlined in the NSRDDA Dental Recordkeeping Guidelines) or patient-related electronic communication.

The panel determined that Dr. X’s use of their personal email for exchanging sensitive and confidential health information was concerning. Panelists recommended that best practice for this type of communication is to use a secure system (such as the Secure Send platform provided by the Canadian Dental Association).  The panel also concluded that the dental record lacked sufficient clinical detail and therefore did not support some of the written and verbal explanation provided in Dr. X’s written and in-person response to the complaint.  Panelists asserted that chart notes represent, and are generally accepted as, prima facie evidence of a health care encounter.  The Committee strongly recommended that Dr. X review and fully comply with the principles and processes outlined in the Regulator Guideline for Recordkeeping with particular attention to:

• • accurate description of the conditions that are present on initial examination;
  • an accurate description of ongoing dental status at subsequent appointments;
  • a record of the significant findings of all supporting diagnostic aids, tests or referrals;
  • all clinical diagnoses and treatment options;
  • a record that all reasonable treatment planning options were discussed including the cost of treatment with the patient;
  • the proposed and accepted treatment plan;
  • a notation that informed consent was obtained;
  • clinical notes describing all treatment that was performed, materials and drugs used and, where appropriate, the prognosis and outcome of the treatment;
  • entries should be dated and recorded by hand in permanent ink or typewritten, or be in an acceptable electronic format and be complete, clear and legible; and
  • entries, including electronic entries, should be signed, initialed or otherwise attributable to the writer and if different, the treating clinician.

The Committee also strongly recommended that Dr. X review and modify their practice’s email contact systems to ensure accurate and efficient patient access, ensure that electronic communication containing sensitive patient information is undertaken through a secure system, and clearly document when non-consented information is requested or received

PDBNS- 2025- 01  After hearing this complaint filed against a dentist, the Committee held their decision and directed the Registrar to seek the additional information.

PDBNS-2024-31 This meeting was to hear a request for a variance to a previously proposed Informal Resolution regarding a complaint against a dentist.  The Committee determined that the previous terms be maintained and the request for a variance be denied.

NSRDDA-2025-08  After continued deliberations from a previous meeting in 2025, the Committee determined further investigation is required regarding this complaint against a dentist.

NSRDDA- 2026- 28  After hearing a complaint against a dentist, the Committee passed a motion to order an Interim Suspension of Dr. X’s license, pending the completion of the investigation.  The Committee determined there are reasonable and probable grounds that Dr. X is likely to expose patients and the profession to harm or injury, and that intervention is required. 

NSRDDA- 2025- 31  After reviewing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee confirmed the Registrar Dismissal.

NSRDDA- 2025- 32  After reviewing this complaint against a dentist, the Committee confirmed the Registrar Dismissal.