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Public
Registrants
Certified Dental Assistants
Continuing Education
Dental Practice
Miscellaneous
National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB)
Registration and Licensing
Public
Q1 - Can I find out if my dentist has had any complaints against them or been the recipient of any disciplinary action?
A - All complaints investigated by the College are confidential. However, if an Inquiry Panel has made a decision and the applicable appeal period has expired, the decision can be shared with the public.
Q2 - What are the rules for transferring patient records?
A - The patient is entitled to a copy of their dental records. The dentist may charge a reasonable fee for duplication of the records. See "Section V - Ownership/Transfer of Records" Dental Records Management for further details.
Q3 - How can I find a new dentist?
A - The BC Dental Association can provide referrals to dentists who are accepting new patients. They can be reached by telephone at 604 736-7202 or toll free at 1-888-396-9888 or you can access the referral service on their web site at www.bcdental.org.
You can also ask friends, relatives or neighbours if they have a dentist they would recommend.
Q4 - I am not satisfied with my treatment. How can I get my money back?
A - Under its enabling legislation, the Dentists Act, the College has no authority to require a dentist to provide a refund.
Because of the nature of dental treatment, dentists cannot guarantee a successful outcome of a treatment. If you are unhappy with a treatment, the College recommends you discuss this with your dentist, or obtain a second opinion.
Q5 - I heard about a new dental product. Does it work?
A - The College does not test, rate or endorse any dental products. We suggest that you consult with your dentist regarding how any new product will affect your oral and dental health.
Q6 - My dentist charged me more that the Fee Guide for a recent treatment.
A - The Fee Guide forms the basis of what insurance companies will pay for dental treatments. The Fee Guide is only a guide for what dentists may charge for any particular treatment. Dentists may set their own fees. Specialists usually charge higher fees than those in the Fee Guide.
For more detailed information on the Fee Guide contact the BC Dental Association.
Q7 - My dentist just charged me over my dental insurance coverage for a treatment. He didn't tell me that I would have to pay anything.
A - Your dental insurance plan was negotiated between your employer and the insurance company. They made decisions on what treatments would be covered for employees, the level of coverage and any yearly or lifetime maximum amounts of coverage. There are as many different dental insurance plans as there are employers, and the coverage can change from year to year. Therefore, it is impossible for your dentist's office to always know how much your dental insurance plan will pay for a treatment, or if you have any coverage left.
If you have specific questions about what is covered by your dental insurance plan, you can obtain information from your employer or the insurance company.
You can also ask your dental office to submit a "pre-determination" for a treatment to the insurance company. This is an estimate from the dentist for a treatment, and the insurance company will send you a statement of how much of the treatment will be covered.
Q8 - Can a dentist dismiss me as a patient?
A - Yes, a dentist can dismiss you as a patient. He/she should be available for any emergency service for up to 60 days, while you find a new dentist. The dismissing dentist can offer you names of dentists taking new patients in your area &/or the telephone numbers for the BC Dental Association, who have a referral service and can provide you with names of dentists in your area.
Q9 - I need some clinical advice, who do I ask?
A - Clinical advice about dental procedures and/or dental treatment should be directed to a dentist.
Q10 - Can I have access to my dental records?
A - Yes, generally speaking, patients have a right to examine and obtain a copy of their dental records including reports from other practitioners. This request should be in writing. The dentist may charge a reasonable fee for duplicating the records.
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