'It's embarrassing," Former Barrie dentist seeks to clear his name amid sexual abuse allegations
Former Barrie dentist Dr. Adam Chapnick is seeking to clear his name after being found guilty by the Royal College of Dentistry of Ontario of several violations, the most serious, sexual abuse.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local news updates sent to your inbox
"In this case, what has not been public-facing is that I did dentistry on a girlfriend. We were in a relationship, consenting adults, and that was ultimately my worst mistake," says Chapnick while holding his fiancée's hand.
Dr. Chapnick wants to set the record straight.
"It's infuriating. It's embarrassing, and my fiancée knows me well - there's never been a complaint to the college in my entire career of sexual abuse or anything like that," he says.
The father of two was the subject of two investigations by the College of Dental Surgeons relating to alleged incidents as far back as 2016.
He was ultimately found guilty in late April of several infractions involving inappropriately prescribed drugs, use of anesthesia, failure to keep proper records and disgraceful, dishonourable, unprofessional, or unethical conduct, but the most serious allegation of sexual abuse of a patient cost him his licence to practice.
Dr. Adam Chapnick is pictured in this undated photo. (Source: Chapnickdental.com)
"I have two young daughters, and it's just a misleading lack of context comment that is unfair," he says.
The college has yet to release the summary of its decision.
Chapnick, meanwhile, says he never sexually abused anyone and has been punished by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons because he treated a patient who was his girlfriend and not his wife.
In a statement to CTV News late Friday afternoon, a spokesperson with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario said, "The College, the Regulated Health Professionals Act and the Ontario courts have been clear: health professionals cannot engage in sexual relations with their patients."
The spokesperson noted the college has a "zero tolerance policy for sexual relations between dentists and patients."
Chapnick's fiancée Janna Andre defended her husband-to-be against the "extremely damaging" label inflicted by the college's decision.
"By withholding the facts of the case and the details that are so important in this case when you make that label, they've made our lives very difficult," she says.
Chapnick did not appeal the decision.
"The fact of the matter is that a spouse can treat their partner, so there are circumstances where it's okay, and that suggest to me there's some reasonable perspective on it," Chapnick adds.
The college says its disciplinary committee, much like a civil court, finds guilt based on a balance of probabilities and not beyond a reasonable doubt.
"I look forward to marrying this man. The label that they put on him that's not how he is," Andre says.
The college said Dr. Chapnick could apply for reinstatement of his certificate of registration in five years, and it would then be up to the Discipline Committee to determine if the college should reinstate him.
Along with losing his licence, Chapnick was handed a $10,000 penalty.
Chapnick says he is now eagerly awaiting the release of the decision summary, which is expected in the coming weeks.
The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario imposed a publication ban that protects the complainant's identity in the case.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.