college connection
LEARNING IN PRACTICE
A Mutual Acknowledgement and Undertaking is an agreement a licensed member can enter into voluntarily with the College,
in certain cases, to resolve a concern. Undertakings are a helpful tool with an emphasis on the member’s remediation.
Undertakings may include practice restrictions and/or certain tasks to be completed by the licensed member to address the
concerns that have been identified by the College. A licensed member is required to complete all areas of the undertaking.
Undertakings are presented in College Connection to enable all licensed members to benefit from the learning opportunity.
SUMMARY OF CASE
A dog was presented to the member for a
dental cleaning and multiple extractions. The
dog underwent the dental procedure. Several
weeks later, a second veterinarian examined
the same dog as he was pawing his face and
grinding his teeth. The second veterinarian
recommended a referral to a clinic equipped
with dental radiology due to concerns about
dry socket or retained root tips following
the extractions. At the referral hospital, the
dog was found to have chelitis as well as
swelling and inflammation under his tongue.
The veterinarian from the referral hospital
recommended a complete examination,
including full mouth radiographs under
sedation, bloodwork and consultation with
a neurologist. The dog was returned to the
member for treatment for the chelitis.
About four months later, another veterinarian
performed skull and full mouth dental
radiographs and noted multiple retained root
tips. Seven roots tips and seven incisors were
extracted.
The Complaints Committee panel decided
the nature of the allegations made against
the member did not warrant a discipline
hearing. However, the panel did have serious
concerns regarding his failure to identify and
remove several retained roots, inappropriately
allowing a veterinary technician to perform
dental extractions, and his failure to maintain
a comprehensive medical record, including
specific dental pathology and identification
of the teeth extracted. The member was
given advice and presented with the Mutual
Acknowledgement and Undertaking below.
MUTUAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND UNDERTAKING
I, Dr. William Fleury,
• acknowledge that I have fully disclosed
to the Complaints Committee of the
College, my actions in connection with
complaints file C15-186.
•
•
undertake to refrain from performing
dentistry, with the exception of the
removal of retained deciduous teeth
in puppies and kittens, or supervise
another member or auxiliary performing
dentistry until I attend a “hands on/wet
lab” companion animal dentistry course
with a focus on extractions. The course
is to be pre-approved by the Registrar. I
will forward proof of my attendance and
completion of the course to the College.
undertake that within 90 days following
my participation in the dentistry course,
I will arrange for a mentor to attend my
practice to observe my performance of
no less than four dentistry procedures
involving extractions. The mentor
must be approved by the Registrar in
advance. Following completion of the
mentorship, the mentor will report to
the Registrar and a copy of the report
will be provided to me. Based on that
report, the Registrar will determin