Kootenay dentist suspended for sexual relationship with patient

A Kootenay dentist has been suspended for eight months for having a sexual relationship with a patient.

Cranbrook dentist Dr. Ernst Herbert Schandl admitted to having a relationship with a patient which lasted for roughly four months.

According to a July 8 College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. decision, Dr. Schandl reported the relationship to the regulator in February 2018. The patient submitted a complaint several weeks later.

Dr. Schandl signed a consent agreement admitting that he "engaged in an inappropriate and unprofessional personal and sexual relationship with his patient."

He agreed to an eight-month suspension starting July 8 until Mar. 8, 2023.

The dentist also admitted to failing to determine the patient’s health status and adequately maintain the patient’s records, which included not recording adequate information about the patient’s medications and treatment providers, and not updating their medical history.

Along with the suspension, the dentist must also pay $2,000 to cover some of the costs involved in the investigation and complete a professional boundaries and ethics course.

The dentist must also review the College’s record-keeping guidelines and then pass an associated online course.

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