October 2017

New Report suggests Alberta Dentists have TWICE the rate of professional misconduct as Ontario dentists and 4X the problem of Alberta Physicians - they are also 7 TIMES more costly to investigate and discipline? Looking at BC dentists, Alberta dentists also have TWICE the discipline rate and higher investigation and discipline costs.

Is this something the new CEO of the ADA&C should be discussing with the council and Health Minister? Is the problem with the dentists or, as many have suspected, with the authority lawyers and others involved in the process?

In better news, after years and years of lobbying we are pleased to announce that in 2018 the CDSPI legal expense coverage will be revised as requested to help cover fees in the event of a loss (instead of just a win, according to the old policy terms which were selected by a council who apparently did not have the general membership in mind). Members are encouraged to apply for the new plan but have a careful review of terms that may still leave the dentist at risk. This DOES NOT CHANGE the fact that the Alberta dental authority stands out as a the most expensive and aggressive health disciplinary system in the country. We have asked the Health Minister to consider the statistics in the report and hope the new CEO of the ADA&C will do the same and make steps to correct this unfair process.

Alberta Dentist Lobby is calling on the Alberta Dental Association & College to make 'radical strategic changes' to address the extremely serious and unacceptable level of dentist discipline applied to the general membership. Only with an outside audit will daylight be shed on the problem of 'over-lawyering'. Then the only question remaining will be how dentists unfairly treated should be compensated?

Feb. 2018 - Some good news, as the ADA&C revised the advertising rules to allow use of photos of actual teeth, use of the term 'FREE' and testimonials in certain areas where they do not control them. Of course more needs to be done and this process is much slower than it needs to be. 

Fall 2018 - New book reviews the ADA&C Ad Guide Changes

Nov 29, 2018 - Individual Alberta dentists using the 'neuro-muscular' NM approach  may have been targeted while the authority ignored the larger group to avoid a backlash. Many provinces and the CDA have issued statements questioning the validity of the protocols, why did Alberta not openly discuss the subject and instead waits for patient complaints, then uses an expert witness to discredit the NM treatment which is based on 'ADA&C-approved continuing education'? 

Print newsletter - next issue coming shortly- you will not want to miss this!

- Michael Zuk DDS   PS. Check out the latest book discussing how many dental authorities handled concerns with questionable approaches promoted by lab-sponsored courses. How many president's are pretending they 'didn't know'?

Alberta dentists can visit the sign-up page to find out more about these issues (donations/subscriptions optional).

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Meet the Research Editor of the Alberta Dentist Lobby Newsletter 

Dr. Michael Zuk is the 'dentist wiki-editor' of the Alberta Dentists Association Lobby Group Newsletter & website (AlbertaDentistLobby.com).  This program is an independent organization offering a different perspective on issues which affect all practising dentists in the province.  The ADA&C  (and dentist site) are not affiliated in any way with this website and every dentist has a right to form his/her own opinion with the material provided.  

Alberta Dentists' Association Lobby Group

Sensible Solutions

"Dentists want change. Change cannot come from within the ADA&C so we need to use other means. Register for the e-reports learn how you can help make our dental authority and association more effective. The video on the right will make you scratch your heads about the people making disciplinary decisions at the authority."

- Michael Zuk DDS.