Sexual Misconduct and Abuse Protection

A patient who has a complaint alleging sexual misconduct or sexual abuse took place is eligible.

The term “patient” has a very specific meaning in the context of these complaints.

A patient is eligible if:
•  they have filed a complaint that relates to sexual misconduct or sexual abuse by a registered dentist; or
•  they meet the requirements set out in the HPA and the Regulation.

A patient’s eligibility for funding does not mean the dentist is automatically guilty of unprofessional conduct.

Please review the Funding for Treatment and Counselling Regulation for specific details.

We understand that discussing details and answering questions about sexual abuse or sexual misconduct can be very difficult. That is why we offer a special support program provided by a regulated health professional or an unregulated member of The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta with expertise in these matters. Please contact the Professional Conduct Department of the CDSA (780 432 1012) who can explain the details.

Click here for a list of organizations that provide support services or have information about local community services.

Yes. If you are a patient and file a complaint alleging you have experienced sexual misconduct or have been sexually abused by a dentist, there is funding available for therapy or counselling.

You can apply for funding by filling out the request form and submitting it to the CDSA.

If you are eligible for funding you may choose a regulated or unregulated member of The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta, provided certain conditions are met such as  the person:

• is not a family member of the complainant or their spouse; and
• if they are regulated, is in good standing with the regulatory college they are registered with that includes not having been found to have committed unprofessional conduct of a sexual nature or civilly or criminally liable for a similar act.

You must complete the CDSA forms to ensure eligibility.

If you decide to complain, you do have to give us your name. As part of our complaints process, we send the dentist a copy of your complaint, which may include your name, for a response. You receive a copy of the dentist’s response too.

If the process continues to a hearing your name will not be included on the Upcoming Discipline Hearings. In addition, if you request, the CDSA may seek a publication ban to protect your identity at this public hearing stage of the process.

If you are eligible, the current maximum amount available is $22,500 for a period of five years. Once the patient’s eligibility is determined and the application processed, the CDSA will communicate on a regular basis with the patient to let them know how much funding they have remaining.

Funding is for the patient to access counselling as a result of their experience with a dentist. Funding is not available for any other person or reason.

There is plenty of time to apply.

The funding is not available forever. Please contact the Professional Conduct Department at the CDSA for more information. To receive the full benefit of the funding, a patient should submit their application as early as possible.

Professional Conduct Department Phone: 780 432 1012 (please ask for the Professional Conduct Department)

Funding ceases if a complaint has been dismissed by the Complaints Director, Complaint Review Committee or Hearing Tribunal. The patient will be notified that their funding has stopped.

Funding will continue if the matter is referred to a hearing or there is a review by the Complaint Review Committee.

Once the complaint has been filed, you can apply for funding by filling out the request form and submitting it to the CDSA. For further assistance, patients can contact the CDSA by calling 780-432-1012 and asking to speak with the Professional Conduct Department.

Both sexual misconduct and sexual abuse are breaches of professional boundaries between patient and dentist and are an abuse of power. The patient-dentist relationship is based on trust. Sexual misconduct or abuse by a dentist violates that trust and is never acceptable.

Sexual misconduct includes threatened, attempted or actual behaviour such as:

• • saying something sexually suggestive
  • making sexualized comments about appearance or clothing
  • making sexual comments or jokes
  • asking personal questions, such as asking about personal intimate relationships
  • sending sexualized jokes by email
  • displaying inappropriate materials in the office or on a computer, such as sexualized photographs or videos, or cartoons of a sexual nature.

Sexual abuse includes threatened, attempted or actual behaviour such as:

• • Kissing, hugging or touching of a sexual nature
  • Touching or asking for touching of a sexual nature
  • Touching of a sexual nature by a regulated member includes touching of a client’s genitals, anus, breasts or buttocks
  • Sexual intercourse

Boundaries between a dentist and a patient define the professional role. Dentists should consider whether a particular action is a legitimate part of their role. Unwanted contact by social media, asking a patient out on a date, inappropriate personal disclosure by a dentist or asking a patient about their religion, personal life and politics are some examples of what may be considered boundary violations. Boundary violations can be the first step toward increased familiarity with the patient and may be sexual misconduct that may lead to sexual abuse.

Please contact the CDSA. As the regulator of Alberta dentists, it is our responsibility to investigate your concerns. The CDSA’s mandate is to put patients first. We are here to listen to your concerns and investigate all complaints.

The CDSA investigates all concerns related to boundary issues, sexual misconduct and sexual abuse raised by patients, staff members and others.

You can contact the CDSA to discuss your concerns and/or make a complaint. Our staff will explain what happens during an investigation and will answer your questions.

You don’t have to give your name to our staff if you don’t want to. You can go over what happened, and find out about the CDSA’s processes and what to expect.

If you decide to file a formal complaint, you are contacted by an investigator who is trained and experienced in working with patients who have experienced sexual abuse. At this point you will have to disclose your name. You’ll have an opportunity to meet in person, regardless of where you live in the province. You may bring someone along with you for support.

The CDSA takes all complaints seriously. As part of our role to protect the public, we investigate all complaints thoroughly.