The Alberta Dental Authority took disciplinary measures against a Red Deer general dentist - Dr. Michael Y Zuk -  for publishing a 2010 book 'Confessions of a Former Cosmetic Dentist' exposing rampant over-treatment of cosmetic dental patients. In return the dentist criticized the authority for questioning this whistleblowing action and raised concerns about the qualifications of the ADA&C Complaint Director who lacked any formal dental training and refused to provide evidence the dentist requested that would prove the authority itself knew this was a concern for years prior to his book release. It was a fact that Alberta dentists were flying patients to the USA for 'live training' at suspect seminars linked to an Alberta dental lab when their Canadian malpractice coverage would not protect the dentist/patient. A patient harmed in the process shared her with story with Dr. Zuk in the book and mentioned she was disappointed in the response from the ADA&C to her complaint about what happened to her in Las Vegas at the training program. 

The ADA&C retaliated with a combined $9M defamation lawsuit, discipline over a book  as 'harming the integrity of the profession' and advertising of alternative approaches to cosmetic dental care which are acceptable across the world (shorter term orthodontics vs instant straightening with procelain veneers), and support of a secondary lawsuit. The complaint against the dentist originated from a local orthodontist who had been reported to the ADA&C for a break and entering incident - the orthodontist retaliated against Dr. Zuk with an 87-page advertising complaint. The complaint did not involve a single patient incident. 

Dr. Zuk along with close to 100 dentists protested the over-regulation of dentists in the province with a Class Action lawsuit that helped reverse many of the odd rules the ADA&C developed to supposedly reduce over-treatment. One rule banned dentists from using 'before and after photos' and also banned free consultations. The ADA&C backed off the ad rules but continued to attack Dr. Zuk with rules that have since been dropped and refused to settle the differences in an alternative resolution process on ground the 'break and enter' orthodontist refused to participate. The Health Professions Act states vexatious complaints from competitors should not be entertained but the ADA&C lawyers ignored this fact and profited by the prolonged process driving costs to record numbers - even greater than that used to invesigate a serious sedation incident (Dr. Mather, Edmonton) that left a child with brain damage. 

The Complaint Director was allowed to sue the dentist while investigating him, acting as legal advisor to the advertising committee that affected the rules, prosecution and recommended a record 5 YEAR suspension and $270,000 in costs for his 'advertising violations'. The dentist argued against the outrageous proposed sanctions and obvious bias through the levels available- partially successful with reductions- and twice asked the SUPREME COURT of CANADA to consider leave. 

By November 2020 the ADA&C had removed the lawyer complaint director who had initiated the attack on Dr. Zuk (and many dentists over frivilous matters such as their practice name and even charity work). Fortunately the Health Minister Tyler Shandro responded to numerous complaints and proposed several Bills which will force the division of the ADA&C into separate parts and inject greater public participation effectively ending the 'Old Boy' grip on the organization. An upcoming review is expected to provide support for the concerns raised by Dr. Zuk about the dental authority's performance but the dental authority is not stepping away from its relentless censorship and abuse of power over this dentist.

Amazingly the ADA&C itself had published an article of grave concern titled 'I Have Had Enough' on the same topic as the dentist's book and advertised seminars on quicker orthodontic treatment so it is hypocritical to suggest it is misconduct to share this information with the public. Many of the 'dentist jurors' were found to be in violation of the same advertising rules they charged the dentists and the lead tribunal chairman had been a ADA&C president when they awarded a promoter of the questionable seminars on cosmetic dentistry an honorary membership in the Alberta dental association - he was also a long term associate with the former CEO of the ADA&C which was suing the dentist at the time of his hearing. The former CEO had previously been accused of witness intimidation and Dr. Zuk's key expert was warned if he helped Dr. Zuk he could face consequences - and in fact was later disciplined by the ADA&C.

Dr. Zuk maintains the legal experts of the ADA&C are misguided in their interpretation of the ethical rules. Preserving the integrity of the dental profession does not equate to hiding the truth from the public, which is essentially what the dental authority is attempting to do. The public interest trumps the reputation of the dental profession. Open discussion of 'bad apples' and the causes (corrupt seminar information) is simply educating the public to avoid harm. 

Please consider signing this petition to help pressure the dental authority to fully remove the extremely biased disciplinary record against Dr. Zuk to allow him to return to practice if he chooses to. Dr. Zuk has decided to retire in protest of this pathetic witchhunt.