Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario Revokes Dentist’s Licence for Sexual Abuse

Disciplinary Action Taken Against Ontario Dentist

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario has taken decisive action against a dentist accused of sexual abuse, revoking his licence with immediate effect. The dentist, who has not been named, faced a range of serious allegations including sexual abuse of a patient, breach of patient confidentiality, and conduct deemed unprofessional and unethical.

Details of the Case

The case, outlined in Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario v Rondeau, 2024 ONRCDSO 2, involves a patient who began treatment with the dentist in 2018 for orthodontic and temporomandibular joint issues following a workplace injury. Between 2020 and 2022, while the patient was still under his care, the dentist initiated an intimate relationship with her.

According to the agreed statement of facts, the dentist “engaged in sexual relations with her, including touching of a sexual nature on the patient’s genitals, breasts, and buttocks.” The misconduct extended beyond physical contact, with the dentist sending “electronic messages of an intimate and sexual nature” to the patient.

Breach of Professional Boundaries

The Discipline Committee panel found the dentist’s actions to be a severe breach of professional boundaries. The dentist admitted to travelling with the patient, discussing the purchase of a home together, and allowing her to care for his vacation property, all while she remained under his professional care.

Patient Confidentiality Violation

In addition to the sexual abuse allegations, the dentist was found to have violated patient confidentiality. In 2021, he sent photographs containing confidential information about other patients to the victim. The panel noted that “these other patients did not consent to the disclosure of their information in the pictures, which included their names, appointment reasons, and laboratory prescriptions.”

Disciplinary Measures

The panel’s decision was unequivocal. They ordered “the immediate revocation of the dentist’s dental licence” and imposed financial penalties. The dentist is required to “reimburse the College for the funding provided to the patient under s. 85.7 of the Health Professions Procedural Code, to post an irrevocable letter of credit amounting to $17,370 to cover any future payments, and to pay $10,000 in costs to the College.”

Implications for the Dental Profession

This case underscores the serious consequences of violating professional ethics and patient trust in the dental profession. The panel emphasized that the dentist’s actions “undermined the trust placed in him by the public and the dental profession.”

As this case demonstrates, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario continues to uphold strict standards of professional conduct to protect patients and maintain the integrity of the dental profession.