A Cranbrook dentist has been suspended for eight months after admitting he had a sexual relationship with one of his patients.
The College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia launched an investigation into Dr. Ernst Herbert Schandl after he self-reported a sexual relationship to the college in February 2018.
According to a public notice from the college, the patient also filed a complaint about Schandel several weeks later.
Schandl’s suspension did not begin until July 9, 2022 due to an extended investigative process by the college and a decision to accommodate the student from the dental practice and minimize the effect on patient care in the Cranbrook community.
A disciplinary hearing scheduled for May 2022 was canceled when Shandle admitted to sexual misconduct and professional misconduct, including failing to determine a patient’s health status and failing to update a patient’s medical history.
The dentist will be suspended until March 8, 2023, during which time he is prohibited from receiving payment for services and cannot participate in patient care. He will also have to pay a $2,000 fine to the college to cover partial costs of the investigation.
Before returning to practice, Shandel must complete a course in ethics and a course in dental record keeping.
According to the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia, Schandl has been registered with the college since 1995 and has no previous disciplinary history.
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