A British Columbia dentist who admitted to having an “inappropriate and unprofessional personal and sexual relationship” with a patient has been suspended for eight months.
An investigation into allegations of misconduct against Dr. Ernst Schandl dates back to 2018, according to the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia, which posted a summary of the disciplinary proceedings online Tuesday.
The regulator got involved when Schandel “self-reported” the relationship more than four years ago. A complaint made by the patient followed “several weeks later,” the college said in a public release.
“The Board of Inquiry found that the investigation raised serious concerns about Dr. Schandl’s breach of professional ethics and the treatment of this patient and directed the Secretary to issue a citation against Dr. Schandl,” it continued.
A hearing scheduled for May of this year was canceled when Schandel offered a plea deal, admitting sexual misconduct in a four-month relationship with the patient, as well as professional misconduct for failing to maintain a proper medical record for that patient.
The college’s inquiry committee approved the agreement on May 12, allowing the suspension date to be pushed back to July “given the need to accommodate the student to the registrant’s practice and to minimize the impact on continuity of care for patients in the community.” , the public notice says.
While suspended, he is required to “post conspicuous signs” at his Cranbrook practice and is prohibited from receiving payment or providing any type of patient care, the college’s order said. Schandl will also have to successfully complete a “Professional Boundaries and Ethics Course” and pay the college $2,000.
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