Chair's Comments
We are pleased to present the first annual report of the College
of Denturists of British Columbia, pursuant to Section 17(2) of
the Health Professions Act. The College was established on December
7, 1995, and the report is to March 31, 1996.
Since the first Board meeting held on December 15, 1995, committees
have been formed and policies and procedures are being developed
for their operation. Draft bylaws have been circulated for approval.
Registration examination procedures are being reviewed and validation
protocols are being implemented.
Although we are one of the smaller health regulatory organizations
in British Columbia, with approximately 220 members, this compact
size allows a proactive, personal approach which we believe is
appreciated by the registrants.
I must commend the public representatives on our Board, and every
other health regulatory board, for their dedication and commitment.
They not only take a real interest in protecting the public, but
they also bring with them a wealth of knowledge and talent that
augment our professional representatives and staff. Their contribution
is greatly appreciated.
We look forward to achieving goals as they are developed by the
Board and the members of the profession, and appreciate the support
of our members.
GARY STEWART
Chair of the Board of the College of Denturists of British Columbia
BOARD MEMBERS
|
|
|
| Nicky Hagel | Frieda Home |
| Kenneth Manson | K. Douglas Smith |
| John Mayr | Betty White |
| Gary Stewart | |
| Erna Swan | |
| Fred Trestain |
REGISTRATION
As of December 7, 1995, there were 202 Denturist registrants,
and 196 of these renewed their registration. Of those who did
not register as denturists, two retired and four changed from
practising to non-practising status.
In the Non-Practising Denturist category, seventeen were registered
when the College was established, and on renewal one retired.
Of the twenty-five Students registered in December 1995, three
did not re-register and the fourth was not eligible to register.
In the Denturist Assistant categories, eighteen full-time and
twelve part-time workers were registered. On renewal, three full-time
and five part-time workers did not register.
At the end of 1995, there were five Temporary Registrants, and
four did not renew their registration.
| Registration Category | Registered to March 31, 1996 |
Renewed to March 31, 1997 |
| Denturists | 202 | 196 |
| Non-practising Denturists | 17 | 20 |
| Students | 25 | 21 |
| Assistants (full-time) | 18 | 15 |
| Assistants (part-time) | 12 | 7 |
| Temporary Registrants | 5 | 1 |
COMPLAINTS PROCESSED AND DECISIONS
The new College of Denturists inherited a backlog of complaint
files from the Dental Technicians and Denturists Board. When the
Inquiry Committee was established, these were reviewed and a number
of outstanding complaints were resolved.
Ill-fitting dentures were the subject of eleven complaints. In
ten cases, refunds were made to the patients and, where applicable,
to the insurance carriers. In the other case, the dentures had
been discarded by the patient and could not be evaluated, so the
complaint was closed with no action.
In one case, an adjustment had been made to a removable partial
denture, and the patient was reimbursed for a replacement RPD.
One complaint was of an alleged sexual assault by a denturist.
After interviews were conducted by a private investigator, the
Committee decided that the evidence was inconclusive. No action
was taken.
Two complaints regarding the previous Board's examination procedures
and results were received. Complaints were also made to the Ombudsman,
who investigated and concluded that there was no discrimination
against the candidate.
A complaint regarding possible professional incompetence was filed
by a member of the College of Dental Surgeons in 1994. The opinion
of a BC Cancer Agency specialist was that there was no evidence
of incompetence.
A denturist assistant complained that she had been working while
not registered, and that her employer (a denturist) had sexually
harassed her. The denturist returned a Consent Order and paid
the outstanding registration fees and an assessment. The complainant
was advised that the College had no jurisdiction in the area of
employer/employee relations, and that she was in contact with
groups who had authority to deal with this matter.
A complaint regarding an ill-fitting denture fabricated by a dental
technician was referred to the College of Dental Technicians for
action, and a formal complaint was filed with them by the College
of Denturists.
Information was received that an unlicensed person was offering
the services of a denturist. A letter was written to the individual,
and there is no evidence that he continues to practise.