An Abbotsford pediatric dentist who admitted to the “improper touching” of a female staff member has been suspended from practice for six months.
The BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) posted a public notice on Friday (Dec. 1) of the consent agreement reached with Dr. Sukrit Grewal on Nov. 1.
The notice states that Grewal has already served his suspension from May 19 to Nov. 19 after he was barred from treating patients while the BCCOHP investigated the allegations against him.
Grewal ran the Children’s Oral Care Centre on McCallum Road in Abbotsford, but is no longer involved. Glow Pediatric Dentistry has taken over the facility and patient care as of September 2023.
According to the notice, the college between April and July 2022 received three complaints alleging “professional and ethical misconduct” of a sexual nature by Grewal towards female staff.
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Grewal was placed under investigation, during which time he agreed to only be on the premises of the dental clinic if a “practice monitor” approved by the college was present.
The BCCOHP states that it received three further complaints alleging misconduct by Grewal, including that he failed to comply with the agreement.
One of the sexual-misconduct matters resulted in criminal proceedings, in which Grewal agreed to a peace bond (restraining order) against him.
According to court records, that decision was reached in March of this year.
As part of his conditions, Grewal was required to attend counselling sessions with a psychiatrist.
Grewal admitted as part of his consent order with the BCCOHP that he “engaged in improper touching of a female staff member without her consent on one occasion.”
He further acknowledged that it is “unprofessional conduct to a) engage in sexually charged and flirtatious communications with staff and b) touch staff or patients without their consent and, in particular, when such touching has, or may be perceived as having, a sexual intent.”
In addition to his suspension, Grewal was ordered to complete an ethics and boundaries course and pay costs of $2,000 to the college.
As well, he must have the psychiatrist who is treating him provide a report directly to the college following his treatment.
The BCCOHP issued an interim order earlier this year, directing that Grewal not treat patients or communicate with any clinic staff, but he could have another dentist carry on his practice.
The public notice states that Grewal was unable to find anyone to take over in his absence and he has not been practising since May 19, 2023.