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A BC-based dentist who has been barred from practicing is facing a lawsuit from 35 former patients.
Lawyer Dianna Robertson, who is representing the former patients, said that her clients all reported experiencing pain and complications after receiving treatment from ex-dentist Steven Krieger, who was once based at the Clover Care Dental Clinic in Surrey.
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Some of the plaintiffs purported that Krieger drilled too deeply into their gums and performed unnecessary fillings. Two female patients added that the former dentist’s malpractice led to “excruciating” pain and “dead” teeth.
Krieger voluntarily withdrew his registration as a dentist on January 2017 after CBC conducted an investigative report on him, following testimonials from former patients.
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Following a formal investigation by the College of Dental Surgeons of BC (CDSBC), he has been fined $10,000 and has been barred from practicing for one year.
“An important aspect of that mandate is to investigate and resolve complaints about dentists. Removal from practice is the most serious remedy available to us under the Health Professions Act. We are satisfied that the resolution of this case protects the public,” CDSBC registrar and CEO Jerome Marburg told CBC.
Krieger admitted to performing substandard fillings, crowns, and a root canal in a consent order agreement published Tuesday.
The disgraced dentist also admitted that he charged his patients for “complicated” extractions when all they needed was a simple removal. Krieger acknowledged that some of his actions could amount to professional misconduct.
Robertson stated that while the CDSBC’s decision has pleased her clients, the college’s decision is separate from the lawsuit. Krieger’s confession of his misconduct could help her clients’ case, but dental negligence still needs to be proven in each of the 35 cases.
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