Saanich police say a man has been charged with fraud after he pretended to be a dental hygienist and worked on customers.
Police say they were told that someone may be providing dental care without proper training or licensing on Jan. 4.
On Jan. 10, with help from the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP), police say they charged Emmanuel Osaseri with two criminal offences, including fraud under $5,000 and personation with intent to gain advantage.
The college is now asking anyone who may have received dental care from Osaseri to make a report with the BCCOHP complaints staff, either online or at at 672-202-0448 or 1-888-202-0448 (toll free).
“The Saanich Police Major Crime Unit moved swiftly on this case to prevent Mr. Osaseri from providing further dental treatment to the public,” said Saanich police Sgt. Damian Kowalewich in a release Thursday.
“While working with the BCCOHP, our detectives took steps to intervene as soon as practicable and ultimately two criminal charges were approved by the BC Prosecution Service,” he added.
Osaseri has since been released on conditions, including one not to attend anywhere that provides dental services, unless he’s there for his own personal appointment.
The British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals says anyone can check its online register to see if their dentist or oral health professional is registered with the college.
“Employers are responsible for ensuring that all the oral health care professionals they hire are registered/certified with BCCOHP,” said BCCOHP CEO Dr. Chris Hacker.
“They also need to be confident that anyone they refer patients to for care has been granted the authority to provide that care,” he said.
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Adam Chan
