Skip to content

Abbotsford dentist's interim suspension stands

An interim suspension for an Abbotsford dentist will be upheld, after he failed to file submissions to the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. (CDSBC).
12526abbotsfordStelmaschuk_CP
Dr. Clark Stelmaschuk

An interim suspension for an Abbotsford dentist will be upheld, after he failed to file submissions to the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. (CDSBC).

Dr. Clark Stelmaschuk is now scheduled to appear before the college for a hearing starting June 8 to determine what disciplinary action, if any, he will face in relation to six patient complaints.

Stelmaschuk, who has closed down his practice at #2 – 2757 Bourquin Crescent West, had his licence suspended by the college on Feb. 5.

The matter was addressed last month in the Supreme Court of B.C., where Stelmaschuk’s lawyer argued that his client should have had more time to respond to the college before the interim suspension was issued.

The court gave him until April 29 to file that response, and until May 10 for a committee to consider that submission and determine whether the pre-hearing suspension should be lifted.

CDSBC registrar Heather MacKay said the college did not receive submissions from Stelmaschuk, and the interim suspension stands.

The disciplinary hearing will now determine whether Stelmaschuk, 68, should be permanently banned from practising, or whether he should be monitored and/or have conditions placed on him.

Stelmaschuk told the Abbotsford News last month that he does not know if he will open another location if the college determines he can practise again.

The specific complaints against Stelmaschuk have not been revealed publicly, but the B.C. Supreme Court documents state they mainly involve “allegations of dental implants gone very wrong, resulting in long-term consequences and pain.”



Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
Read more