Posted at 1:00 p.m.
The questions raised and the testimonies gathered by journalist Mario Girard in his columns recently published in The Press challenge the Order of Dentists of Quebec, because of the alleged fraudulent billing practices by certain dentists described therein.
The Order obviously condemns such practices, since they in no way reflect the professionalism and integrity of the vast majority of dentists who have the health of their patients and the accessibility of oral care at heart.
Generally speaking, dentists who offer different methods of payment to their patients do so with integrity and honesty, and with the sole purpose of accommodating them.
Caution must therefore be exercised before implying that certain dubious practices are widespread and thus breaking the bond of trust that unites many Quebecers and their dentist.
As argued by D.r Mario Mailhot, syndic of the Ordre des dentistes du Québec, to journalist Mario Girard, any practice of overbilling, when proven, goes against the Code of ethics of dentists, which prohibits a dentist from collecting or claiming fees for professional services not provided or not corresponding to the services provided.
In addition, the dentist must provide his patient with the explanations necessary to understand the terms of payment and his fees and, at his request, a detailed statement of the latter. A patient who believes he has been the subject of an over-billing practice should file a request with the Office of the syndic so that the Ordre des dentistes du Québec can conduct an investigation. Remember that the Order does everything in its power to protect the identity of the applicants, the content of the investigation files being confidential and the sources only being revealed unless required to do so by law.
Although we encourage Quebecers to exercise good judgment, it is essential to denounce any dubious professional practice.