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MAKE A COMPLAINT

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your dental treatment or its outcome, the first step in resolving the issue should be to contact your registered dental care provider directly. Open communication is key, as it can help clear up any misunderstandings or provide the registered dentist with an opportunity to address and rectify the situation. When discussing your concerns, be specific about the issues you're facing and the resolution you’re seeking. In many cases, this is the quickest and most effective way to resolve matters. If you're uncomfortable having this conversation in person, consider writing a formal letter to your registered dentist. Alternatively, you can bring someone along to support you during the discussion or have them speak on your behalf. If you've lost confidence in your dentist, you can request a referral to another practitioner. However, if your efforts to resolve the issue directly with your provider are unsuccessful—whether because the provider is unwilling or unable to meet your expectations, or you are unable to make contact—then you may escalate the matter by filing a complaint with the Dental Council of Trinidad and Tobago (“DCTT”). Please note that pursuant to The Dental Act Chapter 29:54, Section 29 (2): The Council may, and upon the application of any person shall, cause inquiry to be made into any allegation that a person referred to in subsection (1) was convicted or was guilty of unprofessional conduct and on proof thereof may— a) censure or reprimand that person; b) suspend that person; or c) cause the name of that person to be removed from the Register or Roll, as the case may be. UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IS DEFINED UNDER REGULATION 33 OF THE DENTAL ACT: 33. A dentist is guilty of unprofessional conduct who— (a) employs the services of any person to engage in the practice of dentistry without the dentist satisfying himself that the person employed is authorized by law to engage in such practice. (b) commits an offence under the Narcotic Control Ordinance involving the abuse of privileges conferred on dentists under that Ordinance; (c) commits an act of immorality, indecency or dishonesty or any other abuse of the professional relationship in which he stands to a patient; (d) makes any statement or signs any certificate or other document in his capacity as a dentist which he knows or has reasonable cause to believe is misleading or otherwise improper; (e) uses any title or description reasonably calculated to suggest that he possesses any professional status or qualifications other than one which he in fact possesses and which appears against his name in the Register; (f) engages in practice in a name other than that under which he appears in the Register; or (g) advertises or canvasses, whether directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining patients or promoting his own professional advantage and this includes having any indication of his profession on the outside of any envelope being sent through the post. •THE DCTT CANNOT MANDATE A REGISTERED DENTIST TO REFUND A PATIENT FOR IMPROPER WORK NOR CAN THE DCTT ORDER RESTORATIVE WORK. 1st Step When making a complaint to the DCTT, please provide the following: 1. Your full name. 2. Address and Contact Information. 3. Dentist’s name and office location. 4. Full Statement entailing basis for complaint. 5. Any supporting documents (receipts, transactions, x-rays, correspondence, etc). 6. Consent to the DCTT requesting patient records from the Dentist. 7. The complaint should be dated and signed. Your letter must be signed and addressed to: The Secretary Dental Council of Trinidad & Tobago Second Floor 11-13 Fitzblackman Drive, Wrightson Road 2nd Step 1. Once the Secretary of the Dental Council receives your letter, they will write acknowledging receipt of your letter. 2. They will also write to the dentist(s) involved, sending a copy of your letter and asking for their comments within 30 days (a requirement of the Dental Act and Regulations). 3rd Step 1. The Secretary of the DCTT will review all the documents provided; 2. Upon review, the Secretary of the DCTT will decide if the complaint has merit and if the complaint falls under the jurisdiction of the Dental Act, 3. The Secretary with the benefit of legal advice will make a recommendation to the Council who may refer if the Complaint to a Tribunal. Please note that this referral is procedural in nature and does not constitute a finding of guilt. The respondent dentist remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty before the tribunal. 4th Step 1. The Complainant and Dentist will be notified of the members of the Disciplinary Tribunal. 2. An opportunity will be given to all parties to object to any members of the Tribunal. 3. A date will be sent to all parties for a ‘Directions Hearing’ to give a timetable for the ‘substantive hearing’ and any orders. 4. At the direction hearing, the Tribunal may enquire from parties if they have any preliminary arguments. 5. The Tribunal may request: i. List of Witnesses. ii. Length of Time for cross-examination. iii. Submissions iv. Disclosure of documents. The burden of proof rests with on the complainant to prove beyond reasonable doubt to the tribunal that the dentist has engaged in conduct falling within the scope of Regulation 33 (a)–(g) only. 5th Step 1. The substantive hearing will occur. 2. Cross examination of the registered dentist, complainant and witnesses. 3. The Tribunal may request submissions in writing or orally as to unprofessional conduct. 4. The Tribunal may adjourn the matter to reserve a decision on unprofessional conduct. 5. The Tribunal will determine in writing if the dentist is guilty or not guilty of unprofessional conduct as defined under regulation 33. 6. Upon the decision of not guilty, the complaint shall be dismissed. 7. Upon the decision being guilty, the matter will be adjourned to a sanctions hearing. 8. The Tribunal will then hear any mitigating factors from the dentist and any considerations that they should consider from the complaint. Thereafter the Tribunal will determine if to; censure or reprimand that person; suspend that person; or cause the name of that person to be removed from the Register or Roll, as the case may be. 6th Step 1. If a dentist is found guilty of unprofessional conduct and disciplined the Dentist will then be advised of his right to appeal pursuant to Section 37 of the Dental Act. 37. A person aggrieved by the refusal of the Council to register or enroll him, as the case may be, or by the removal of his name from the Register or Roll or by his suspension from practicing dentistry may within three months after the date on which notice is given to him by the Council of such refusal, removal or suspension, appeal against the Council’s decision to a Judge in Chambers and the Judge shall give such direction in the matter as he may think proper, including a direction as to costs. PLEASE NOTE • The DCTT is committed to fairness to all parties and their right to be heard and defend themselves. • Every party is entitled to independent legal advice at their own expense. • The DCTT only has the jurisdiction to inquire into complaints of registered dentists. Please click the link to see the list of Registered dentists. https://dctt.org.tt/page/registrants • If you are aggrieved by a person purporting to be a dentist and is not registered, please report to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. • Upon request/application by either party for an extension of time to provide a reply or disclosure, the DCTT may extend the 30-day period. • The Tribunal may adjourn a Directions Hearing or Substantive hearing, once a party provides sufficient notice and/or provides documents (medical) to show why they are unable to attend. • At all stages of the proceedings, the DCTT encourages an amicable resolution between parties and if possible, to settle the complaint. • The DCTT requires disclosure of matters relating to the complaint that are before the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago. The DCTT may ‘stay’ these proceedings as the matter with similar facts are being heard by a Court which has high jurisdiction. • The DCTT will not act on an anonymous complaint. The Act and the principles of natural justice require that the complainant participates in the process. • Negligence is not defined within the Act and does not fall under regulation 33 as such, the DCTT does not have jurisdiction to hear complaints relating to negligence.

SEARCH REGISTERED DENTISTS

The Dental Council is the body that regulates the practice of dentistry in Trinidad and Tobago. This is important as the Council can determine what qualifications are necessary to attain a dental license. By doing so, the Council works to ensure that all dental practitioners meet a certain standard, and the public feels safe. Many unlicensed dental practitioners (commonly referred to as 'quacks.') are operating in Trinidad and Tobago. Most of these have little to no formal training in treating patients; many may be trained as dental technicians. There is no way for the Council to monitor these persons or for anyone to ensure proper procedures or standards. Furthermore, if problems arise with treatment, it is difficult for patients to seek redress with the Council. At present there are two categories of persons are recognized by the Dental Council who can provide dental treatment legally to patients: Dental Nurses: work in government clinics, treat children up to 12 years old. Dentists: Dentists who are registered under the Dental Profession Act are able to provide all forms of dental treatment either in a public or private setting. To ensure your dental care provider is registered, please check the list of registered dentists on this website. Also, every dentist should have displayed in her office a registration certificate and an annual practicing certificate. You can ask to see them to see it as proof of registration. If your dentist refuses to produce their practicing certificate you can enquire on the DCTT’s website to confirm their registration. Any person who practices dentistry without being registered or paying their annual fee should be reported to the Trinidad and Tobago police service.

REPORTING A MATTER

What should be reported? If you believe that your dentist is guilty of unprofessional conduct and there is proof, the matter should be reported to the DCTT. Examples of unprofessional conduct include: 1. Hire Unqualified People Allow someone to perform dental work without first checking that the person is legally allowed to do so. 2. Misuse Prescription Powers Break the law by misusing their authority to prescribe or handle drugs (like painkillers or sedatives). 3. Act Unethically with Patients Behave in a dishonest, indecent, or immoral way, or take advantage of the trust patients place in them. 4. Give False or Misleading Information Sign or issue documents (such as medical certificates) as a dentist that they know are false or misleading. 5. Claim False Titles or Qualifications Use titles or claim professional qualifications that they don’t actually have or that aren’t officially registered. 6. Work Under a Different Name Practice dentistry under a name that is different from the one listed in the official dental register. 7. Advertise Unprofessionally Promote themselves or try to attract patients in ways that are not allowed, including: Advertising directly or indirectly to gain patients.

Contact Us

11-13 Fitzblackman Drive Wrightson Road Port of Spain
Trinidad (T&T)

dctt@dctt.org.tt

(868) 625-7627

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The professionals that make up the dental auxiliaries are dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental nurses or, dental technicians.

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