NOT the Best Dentist: How to Avoid Unethical and Unlicensed Dentists

When it comes to your dental health, making the right choice is crucial. Unlicensed dentists pose significant risks, but unethical dentists can be even more harmful. In this article, we will explore the dangers associated with these individuals and emphasize the importance of seeking qualified dental professionals. Your oral health should never be compromised, so exercise caution and avoid entrusting your precious smile to just anyone. Join us as we delve into the critical aspects of selecting a reputable dentist who can ensure your well-being and deliver exceptional dental care.

1) Unlicensed Dentists

YES, There are UNLICENSED dentists doing dental work on unsuspecting patients!

Yes in Canada! Sometimes it makes it into the news: CBC report on unlicensed dentists >>>>

Yes in Ontario! A list of KNOWN unlicensed dentists doing dental work in Ontario >>>>

For every fake dentist that is caught, there are probably ten that do not get caught. Just like for every law-breaking citizen that gets caught, there are probably 10 that do not get caught!

Are you able to spot a FAKE dentist? Chances are you think you can, but in reality, chances are you do not know enough about dentists to spot a fake.

Thankfully it does not matter if you can spot a fake dentist. The internet is a powerful tool if you know how to use it to search for the truth. Instead of focusing on avoiding a fake dentist, just make sure the dentist you are considering is licensed.

BEFORE DECIDING ON A DENTIST make sure the dentist that you are considering is licensed in Ontario. Here is the database of ALL licensed dentists in Ontario.

The quickest and most accurate way to use this database is to type in the first and last name of the dentist you are considering (make sure the spelling is correct) and click “Search” at the bottom of the page. Make sure that one of the search results is the dentist you are considering by double-checking that the address in the search result matches the dentist you are considering. An unlicensed dentist is not the best dentist, it is a dentist you should avoid, it is a dentist that will NOT appear in this database.

BUT WAIT, this same database can help you weed out some of the unethical dentists:

2) Unethical Dentists

Police officers swear an oath “to serve and protect” and “to behave honorably with integrity and never betray public trust”. Dentists have the same ethical and professional responsibilities.

“Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching.” - C.S. Lewis

There is no screening test for integrity before entering a profession. Can an unethical person be trained to be ethical? Hence, in every field, profession, and walk of life, there will be those who adhere more and those who adhere less to doing the “right thing”.

Hence, for professions (eg. dentist, doctor, police officer) where an unethical member can do great harm to others, we have the equivalent of the police force’s “Internal Affairs”.

Google says: “The Internal Affairs refers to a division of a law enforcement agency that investigates incidents and possible suspicions of law-breaking and professional misconduct attributed to officers on the force.”

The “Internal Affairs” of Dentists in Ontario Canada is the Royal College of Dentists of Ontario (“RCDSO”). Every jurisdiction around the world has a dentist governing body like this.

BEFORE DECIDING ON A DENTIST make sure the dentist that you are considering is clear of unethical and unprofessional misconduct. It takes only 2 minutes! The power of the Internet to find the truth:

1. Go to the database of ALL licensed dentists in Ontario
2. Type in the first and last name of the dentist you are considering (make sure the spelling is correct) and click “Search” at the bottom of the page
3. The search result page should have the name of the dentist you are considering if they are licensed in Ontario
4. Check that the dentist you are considering does NOT have the following highlight under their listing:

If the dentist you are considering has this warning sign under their listing it means that they have been found guilty of professional misconduct. You have 2 choices:

1. Scratch this dentist off your list, it is NOT the best dentist. Find another dentist.
2. Click on "Discipline Results" in the blue highlight on the RCDSO website, to find out more details about the warning. It could be:
   • Criminal Proceedings
   • Negligence / Malpractice Findings
   • Suspension / Revocation
   • Terms, Conditions, Limitations
   • Fitness to Practice Results
     
   • Pending Fitness to Practice
   • Discipline Results
   • Complaint / Report Results
   • Pending Discipline

There is one more list that you do not want the dentist that you are considering to appear on: A list of dentists that are currently under investigation.

Keep in mind that for every dentist that is found guilty of unethical or unprofessional acts, there are probably ten that did not get caught. Just like for every law-breaking citizen that gets caught there are probably 10 that did not get caught. Your best defense against uncaught unethical dentists is to learn more about dentists and dentistry, and become a discriminating patient: a patient having refined taste and good judgment.

If you are curious about which dentists and the type of unethical behavior that these dentists have done, go to the Dentists Subject to Discipline, this is a list of all the dentists that have been found guilty of unprofessional behavior with links to the details. 

THE RECORD FOR THE GREATEST REPEAT OFFENDER GOES TO A CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO DENTIST! Found guilty FIVE times! He is still allowed to practice?!

A fake dentist and an unethical dentist are not the best dentists, these are dentists that you want to avoid. Now that you know how to avoid the wrong dentist, be careful of another potential hazard: choosing a dentist near you.

In the best interest of your health and well-being,

Dr. Joanne Baldos and Dr. Adam Szymczak