The president of the Order of Dentists of Quebec (ODQ) tendered his resignation the day after a stormy annual general meeting during which a project to review infection prevention measures and the internal management of the organization were sharply criticized by the approximately 800 dentists present.
In a message posted on his Facebook page as president of the order, Dr.r Guy Lafrance announced on Sunday that he was stepping down due to the “significant pressure” and the effects of the pandemic on his general mood and health.
In office since November 2019, the Dr Lafrance said he had an arduous mandate due to the health crisis, and had to manage certain “difficult” files.
This resignation comes the day after a virtual general meeting held on Saturday, described as a “masquerade” by some dentists who participated.
In addition to the recent contested plan to revise sterilization standards, which in October caused an outcry among dentists and dental clinics, the recent salary increase awarded by ODQ leaders came on top of the widespread discontent.
The Order did not call back The duty Tuesday, who wanted to know more about the reasons for the departure of its president.
Increases in the contribution and salaries of managers
According to comments posted on the Facebook page of a private group of dentists, many are indignant at the mandatory dues increases imposed on members this year by the ODQ. Especially when the presidency and the general management have awarded themselves salary increases deemed by some to be “excessive”, while the organization has a deficit of more than 1 million dollars.
According to the ODQ’s 2020-2021 annual report, the president of the order received an annual salary of $278,000 that year, in addition to his income as a dentist, and the director general, a salary of more than $300,000.
In addition to questioning the internal management of their professional order, many dentists believe that the future reform of infection prevention standards that it is proposing would force them to increase their prices recklessly and would limit access to dental care for their patients.
“The only thing we can say is that we hope that the successor to the Dr Lafrance be more realistic and attentive to dentists,” said Dr.r Carl Tremblay, president of the Association of Dental Surgeons of Quebec.
“Increasing contributions without managing deficits is not a solution. Nor can we increase the rates charged to clients without better managing our professional order’s own expenses,” indicated Pierre Millette, vice-president of intergovernmental affairs for the association Dentistes owners du Québec.