Saanich police say charges have been approved against a man accused of impersonating a dental hygienist, and providing dental care without the proper training or licensing.
Emmanuel Osaseri faces charges of fraud under $5,000 and personation to gain advantage.
Police said their Major Crime Unit received information on Jan. 4 and investigated with the assistance of the B.C. College of Oral Health Professionals.
Osaseri was arrested but released from custody with various conditions, including that he not attend any place that provides dental service unless he has a personal appointment.
The college issued a public advisory saying Osaseri has never registered with it and is not authorized to practise as a dental hygienist in B.C.
Anyone who believes they have received dental treatment from Osaseri can report to college complaints staff online at oralhealthbc.ca, or call 672-202-0448 or 1-888-202-0448 toll free.
College registrar and chief executive Dr. Chris Hacker said employers are responsible for ensuring that all oral-health care professionals they hire are registered/certified with college. “They also need to be confident that anyone they refer patients to for care has been granted the authority to provide that care.”
The advisory said unregistered practitioners present a risk “because they have not demonstrated the skills, qualifications and knowledge to provide ethical and safe care in accordance with the standards set by BCCOHP.”
The college regulates 16,000 oral-health professionals, including certified dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, dental therapists, dentists and denturists.
