Publication Notice: Dr. Robert Letnick

Background 

Following investigations into three complaints received by BCCOHP, the Inquiry Committee directed that a citation be issued against Dr. Letnick pursuant to s. 37 of the Health Professions Act (HPA).  

Pursuant to s. 37.1(3)(a) of the HPA, the Inquiry Committee accepted Dr. Letnick’s proposal for resolution of the citation on March 30, 2026. 

Admissions 

Dr. Letnick has admitted that he committed professional misconduct in that he: 

• Failed to treat a patient with respect and dignity, contrary to the College’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. 

• Failed to follow infection prevention and control requirements by using his cell phone during the appointment. 

• Failed to adequately maintain patient records by failing to maintain a complete medical history, including a list of a patient’s medications. 

• Provided root canal treatment to a tooth that had an unretrievable broken file in the buccal canal and improperly relied on sealer as the final obturation material rather than gutta-percha, which may have contributed to the root canal failing. 

• Failed to adequately maintain patient records, including by failing to record the dosages of anesthetic provided to a patient on several occasions, failing to record the composite materials used for treatment on two occasions, and failing to record any information about a root canal provided. 

• Prescribed antibiotics on five occasions, the frequency of which was not supported by systemic symptoms, and/or was not in keeping with current practices, and/or failed to document the clinical need or systemic symptoms of an active infection.  

• Prescribed the opioid pain medication Tylenol #3 (Acetaminophen and codeine) on six occasions, the frequency of which was not keeping with current practices, and/or failed to document the clinical need for the prescriptions. 

• Following restorative treatment to two teeth, prescribed Amoxicillin, an antibiotic, and failed to document the clinical need or systemic symptoms of an active infection. 

• Following restorative treatment to two teeth, prescribed Decadron, a corticosteroid, and Naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which should not be taken together due to the risk of negative gastrointestinal effects.

• Failed to record valid informed consent, including failing to provide the patient with a reasonable review, with risks, benefits, and costs, of all valid treatment protocols for dental issues, regarding restorative treatment provided for a tooth. 

• Placed crowns on two teeth, when there was not enough tooth structure available, which contributed to the failing of the crowns. 

• Failed to adequately maintain patient records, including by failing to record the dosages of anesthetic provided to the patient on several occasions, and failing to record the composite materials used for restoration treatment on two occasions.

Resolution

The Inquiry Committee accepted Dr. Letnick’s proposal on March 30, 2026 and issued an order, pursuant to s. 39(2), with the following terms: 

• A reprimand.

• Completion of the following training and coursework: 
  • All modules of the British Columbia Dental Association’s (the “BCDA”) “Responsible Antibiotic Use in Dentistry” available through the BCDA learning portal (and provide the College with a copy of the certificate of completion); 
    
  • The online course “The Opioid Crisis: Appropriate Postoperative Analgesia Prescribing” offered by UBC Continuing Education; 
    
  • One full day case review, with a mentor approved by the College, to review Patient B’s case with a focus on endodontics, pharmacology (including opioids), recordkeeping and medical history; and 
    
  • One full day case review, with a mentor approved by the College, to review Patient C’s case, with a focus on fixed prosthodontics, informed consent, recordkeeping and pharmacology. 

• Dr. Letnick recently completed PBI Education’s Elevating Civility and Communication in Health Care course (CC-30), as part of the resolution of another complaint determined under s. 36 of the HPA. Otherwise, the Inquiry Committee would have required this course be completed. 

• Undertakings to: 
  • Ensure each patient’s medical history is updated prior to providing treatment; 
    
  • Ensure personal or other calls or texts are not taken in the operatory when with a patient; and 
    
  • Prescribe antibiotics and opioid medication in accordance with current standards, as seen in the BCDA’s “Responsible Antibiotic Use in Dentistry,” and UBC Therapeutics Initiative’s Portrait “Do you manage dental pain with opioids”, dated January 6, 2026, and accompanying Therapeutics Letter “Pharmacological management of dental pain and inflammation”.  

• Partial costs of the investigation of $2,000.

• A fine in the amount of $10,000. 

Reasons 

The Inquiry Committee was critical of Dr. Letnick’s admitted conduct and determined that such conduct amounted to professional misconduct. The Inquiry Committee was satisfied Dr. Letnick’s admissions and the extensive remediation, investigation costs and fine to which he consented was appropriate and proportionate in addressing the conduct and provided assurances that the public will be protected.  

Note that this investigation was conducted and concluded under the former Health Professions Act which was in effect until March 31, 2026.