Dr. Suzanne Cziraki is registered with the College of Dental Surgeons of BC (CDSBC) as a certified specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. She has a practice in Vancouver and formerly owned a practice in Cranbrook.
Background
Following an investigation by CDSBC, the Inquiry Committee (which oversees investigations) directed that a citation (notice of hearing) be issued against Dr. Cziraki. A discipline hearing in Vancouver and Cranbrook had been scheduled. At the pre‑hearing conference (PDF), a discipline panel agreed with CDSBC’s submission that it was appropriate to hold a hearing in the location where the events occurred and the patients reside.
The discipline hearing was cancelled when Dr. Cziraki made admissions and proposed a resolution under s.37.1 of the Health Professions Act.
Admissions
Dr. Cziraki has admitted to professional misconduct with respect to a number of patients in that:
- She failed to accurately diagnose the presenting conditions, provide all reasonable treatment options, and develop appropriate treatment plans.
- She failed to appropriately manage patients.
- She provided unnecessary or inappropriate treatment.
- She unduly extended the length of treatment and/or increased the complexity of treatment.
- Under her supervision, her office submitted insurance claims for treatments that either were not indicated and/or not provided, or should not have been billed separately from the orthodontic treatment.
Resolution
A panel of the Inquiry Committee received and considered Dr. Cziraki’s proposal and orders:
- Dr. Cziraki is reprimanded.
- Dr. Cziraki pay a fine of $40,000.
- Dr. Cziraki pay $5,000 to CDSBC towards the costs of the investigation.
- Dr. Cziraki complete an educational program at her own expense, which includes:
- Successful completion of a professional problem-based ethics course.
- Completion of CDSBC’s More Tough Topics in Dentistry course.
- A mentorship with a CDSBC-approved orthodontist mentor, to include 15 days of mentoring, case reviews, a review of current concepts in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, and billing protocols.
- Dr. Cziraki will undergo patient chart reviews by the College for up to three years following successful completion of the mentorship.
This is a summary of the consent order approved by the Inquiry Committee on January 22, 2018. Full details are available in the consent order (PDF), which attaches the consent order proposal, and the educational and mentoring agreements.