The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA) receives, responds to, and resolves patient concerns and complaints about Alberta’s dentists. This process is carried out through the CDSA’s Professional Conduct Department (PCD). Engagement from both patients and dentists with the College’s PCD is crucial for public protection. The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta only regulates the profession of dentists. If your concern or complaint is regarding a staff member who is not a dentist, please contact their appropriate College. Learn more about your options below.
Submitting a Concern or Complaint
• Investigate or accept complaints about a staff member who is not a dentist
• Provide diagnosis, referrals, or treatment recommendations
• Award damages
• Initiate an investigation without first informing the dentist
• Conduct investigations about dentists from outside Alberta
Concerns are often resolved through communication between the patient and dentist with the assistance of the PCD. If the concern includes a risk to public safety, it may be escalated to a formal complaint.
Complaints can be resolved at any time with or without the assistance of the PCD. If resolution efforts are not successful, the complaint will transition to the investigative process. You will be required to engage in the investigation process, which may include being available for an interview during the investigation. The length of time it takes to conclude a formal complaint varies depending on the complexity.
Before you submit a formal complaint, you should be aware that:
• Formal complaints can be signed and submitted by standard mail or email at pcd@cdsab.ca. For contact information, please see the Professional Conduct Department (PCD) Contact Page. All formal complaints must be signed.
• Once a formal complaint is submitted, the Professional Conduct Department will contact you within seven (7) business days.
• At the conclusion of the investigative process, the Complaints Director can send the matter to a hearing, dismiss the complaint, or engage in further resolution efforts. All actions taken by the Complaints Director are governed by Alberta’s Health Professions Act.
