Make a Complaint

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We can investigate                           

We have the authority to investigate complaints concerning:

  • dental hygienists;
  • dental technologists;
  • denturists; and
  • dental laboratory technicians (DLTS)

Professional Misconduct

  • Disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional conduct during professional practice.
  • Some examples of professional misconduct are:
    • Not following the profession’s Standards of Practice or Code of Ethics;
    • Theft from a client* or employer;
    • Breaching confidentiality;
    • Falsifying records;
    • Fraud;
    • False, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading communication;
    • Abuse of a verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual nature;
    • Sexual misconduct includes sexual comments or gestures, improper physical contact, and sexual relationships between clients and regulated health professionals.

The Regulator’s Joint Practice Standard Regarding Sexual Misconduct & Sexual Abuse outlines the expectations and obligations of individuals regulated by NSRDHDTD. 

Conduct Unbecoming the Profession

  • Conduct in the personal life of a dental hygienist, dental technologist, denturist, or dental laboratory technician, that may bring discredit to the individual or their profession, even when it is unrelated to them carrying out their professional duties.

Incompetence

  • A lack of competence in delivering client care that resulted in unsafe care, or that renders the professional unsafe to continue in practice without remedial assistance.
  • Some examples of unsafe care are:
    • Mistakes in your care;
    • Incorrect diagnosis (for dental hygienists, within their scope of practice);
    • Mismanagement of a client’s personal health information.

Incapacity

  • A medical, physical, mental, or emotional condition or addiction that endangers (or endangered) the health and safety of clients or leads to the professional not being able to practice competently.

We cannot investigate

We do not have the authority to investigate complaints about other health care professionals e.g.,

  • dentists;
  • dental assistants; or
  • physicians.

A complete list of regulators in Nova Scotia responsible for investigating complaints concerning other regulated health professionals can be found here.

Issues we cannot address include

  • directing your care or treatment plan;
  • establishing fees;
  • intervening in fee disputes;
  • awarding financial damages, compensation, or refunds, including those paid by other insurance companies/programs, such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP); and
  • intervening in insurance claim denials or medical-dental-legal matters;
  • suggesting a health care professional for you.

       

       

       

       

      Before you file a complaint, we encourage you to:

      • Consider speaking with the regulated individual or their staff
        Some people find that bringing their concerns to the individual, or the office/organization they work with, may resolve the issue. However, if you are not comfortable doing this or you aren’t satisfied with the outcome, you can always contact us.
      • Find the best place to report your concern
        We will be happy to advise you if the Regulator has the authority to investigate. We can also try to help guide you on whether another organization might be better equipped to assist you.

      Receipt of Complaints by the NSRDHDTD

      Professional Conduct Complaints submitted to the Registrar must: 

      • Include the name of the Registrant 
      • Identify the issue/concerns of the complaint 
      • Include the contact information of the person filing the complaint 
      • Be signed by the person filing the complaint  

      The complaint may be submitted in a variety of ways:

      1. Online: using this form.  
      2. Mail: Please contact us for a PDF complaint form that you can submit. 
      3. Phone Call: Call us at 902-444-7241 and ask for Stacy Bryan, Registrar. We will be happy to arrange an in-person meeting so that we can work with with you to submit your complaint. 
      4. Email: Please email Stacy Bryan, Registrar @ registrar@oralhealthns.ca to request a form you can complete, or to arrange an in-person meeting.
      5. You will be contacted by the NSRDHDTD Registrar, once the complaint has been submitted.  

      Other Important Points: 

      • In accordance with the RHPA (Section 70), complaints may be initiated by the Registrar, a committee of the regulatory body, or any other person.
      • A complaint involving the possible incapacity of a registrant may be referred to the Fitness to Practice Committee if it is believed to be in the best interest of the public and if the registrant consents. The Fitness to Practice process will deal with the matter of possible incapacity; however, any misconduct matter will still be dealt with by the regular discipline process.
      • The NSRDHDTD will provide a copy of your complaint to the respondent*. Further, any additional information obtained during the course of the investigation may also be provided to the respondent.
      • If you wish to discuss the complaint process, please contact the Registrar using the contact information below.

      * Client: This term means the same as patient. It refers to any individual, group, community, or population who receives care from a regulated health professional. It can also include a substitute decision-maker for the person receiving (or intended to receive) care.

      * The respondent is the party (individual) against whom a complaint has been filed.