If you are not satisfied with the explanation you receive from your dentist, you may lodge a complaint with the New Brunswick Dental Society. As the body responsible for regulating Dentists and Dental Assistants and protecting the public in matters related to dentistry, the New Brunswick Dental Society will investigate your complaint as required in our legislation and explained below.

Note: The New Brunswick Dental Society does not regulate hygienists and if there are formal complaints against dental hygienists, they can be addressed to the NB College of Dental Hygienists.

Further the New Brunswick Dental Society has no jurisdiction to address billing disputes and does not award compensation to patients in the same manner as the courts. Patients are advised to seek legal counsel to assist in determining rights with respect to billing disputes and civil actions.

How would I make a Complaint?

We recommend that you discuss your concerns with the Registrar prior to filing a formal complaint so that you fully understand our processes. Please call: (506) 452-8575 or email: registrar@nbdent.ca. In any event, should you wish to proceed with a complaint our legislation requires that a written, signed and dated complaint must be submitted by email to registrar@nbdent.ca or by mail to:

New Brunswick Dental Society
570 Queen Street, Suite 504
P.O. Box 488 Station “A”
Fredericton, NB
E3B 6Z6

Further We Suggest You Include:

• Your name, address and telephone number.
• The name and address of the dentist involved.
• The issues of your complaint (including dates where possible).
• The name and address of any and all other dentists you consulted.
• Any dental records you may have in your possession.
• A resolution you would consider appropriate.

Written complaints are acknowledged in writing.

How will my Complaint be handled?

Once a written complaint is received, the Registrar forwards a copy to the dentist who is provided the opportunity to reply. The complaint and any reply from the dentist is forwarded to a local Mediation Panel, composed of three dentists.

Mediation

The Mediation Panel has 60 days to consider the complaint and to make a written recommendation to you and the dentist. The panel’s role is to suggest a manner to resolve the complaint and its recommendations are non-binding.

Complaints

If either you or the dentist disagrees with the Mediation Panel’s recommendations, the complaint will be forwarded to Complaints Committee for further investigation. The Mediation Panel may also forward the complaint to the Complaints Committee at any time in its discretion.

The Complaints Committee consists of two dentists and a member of the public. This Committee will only consider written evidence but may request additional information in writing from you to assist it in its deliberations. The Committee makes a recommendation to either refer the matter to the Discipline Committee, or to dismiss the complaint.

Appeal of Complaints Committee Decision

If dissatisfied with the decision of the Complaints Committee, you have 30 days to appeal any its decision to the Board of Directors of the New Brunswick Dental Society.

Discipline Committee

The Discipline Committee is composed of 2 dentists and a public member. These are individuals not otherwise involved in the Society process or the Board. The hearings themselves are conducted much like a trial, with evidence taken under oath, full disclosure of
documents and full cross-examination of witnesses.

The Committee may determine matters of professional misconduct or incompetence and determine penalties or other measures which may include one or more of the following: revocation of license, suspension of license, fine, or reprimand. Various conditions may also be imposed. Both you and the dentist have the right to appeal any decision of the Discipline Committee to the Board of
Directors within 30 days.

For greater clarity the Discipline Committee has no authority to award damages to you, for example pain and suffering, and is only concerned with determining if your complaint constitutes professional misconduct or incompetence and how that will be remedied. Awards of damages are within the jurisdiction of the Courts.