A hearing was held on July 20, 2020 to consider allegations of unprofessional conduct as defined in the Health Professions Act.
The following allegations of unprofessional conduct were considered by the Hearing Tribunal:
- The dental assistant failed to comply with the requirements of the College’s Patient Relations Program.
- The dental assistant made a false declaration on their 2020 Practice Permit Renewal Application by declaring that they had passed the Patient Relations Module final exam when they had not done that.
- The dental assistant failed to respond and/or failed to respond promptly and/or failed to respond meaningfully to communications from the College concerning their completion of the Patient Relations Program, contravening Article 3.5(a) of the College’s Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice 6.2(g) of the College’s Standards of Practice.
- The dental assistant failed and/or failed to meaningfully cooperate with an investigator appointed pursuant to Part 4 of the Health Professions Act, which contravenes section 63(1)(a)(i) of the Health Professions Act.
all of which is conduct that harms the integrity of the dental assisting profession.
The hearing proceeded in the dental assistant’s absence as the Hearing Tribunal was satisfied that proper notice was given and the dental assistant was aware of the hearing date.
The Hearing Tribunal accepted the Evidence as presented by the Complaints Director and her legal counsel and found that all four of the allegations were proven and that the conduct constitutes “unprofessional conduct” as defined in the Health Professions Act.
The dental assistant received a reprimand and the following conditions are imposed on the dental assistant’s Practice Permit:
- The dental assistant must complete the Patient Relations Module.
- The dental assistant must complete an ethics course.
- The dental assistant is required to pay partial costs of the investigation and hearing in the amount of $500.00.
- The dental assistant is required to pay a global fine in the amount of $500.00.
If the dental assistant fails to comply with any or all of the conditions, the College may cancel the dental assistant’s registration and practice permit.