A dentist banned for life in Saskatchewan for overpriced and needlessly caring for a patient works in at least two Quebec prisons, where he is the subject of a complaint over what was deemed an excessive offer.
dr Raymond Abouabdallah was banned from practicing life for life in Saskatchewan in 2012 by the provincial Dental Surgeons Committee. However, this did not prevent him from continuing his practice at Drummondville and Cowansville prisons for the Service Corrections Canada (CSC).
At the time, Abouabdallah had suffered the wrath of the syndic, who described him as “unworthy of the profession” (translated from English), we can read in a decision by the syndic.
The professional code had accused him of leaving a patient in very poor condition, treating him unnecessarily and charging him $148,000 for care he did not receive.
Today, Abouabdallah is the subject of controversy after he applied to an inmate at Drummondville Correctional Facility for treatment, the cost of which has raised questions. The inmate in question, Serge Pomerleau, was part of a trio who escaped from Quebec City’s detention center in 2014.
More than $4000 to move
In this offer, the dentist proposes a treatment of more than $ 21,000, in particular for the installation of a fixed bridge and for his trips with his assistants, according to the offer that we have been able to consult (see photo).
Abouabdallah is asking for more than $4,000 to travel to Drummondville with his dental assistants, although he already works there every Friday treating inmates held there.
Photo from a journalistic source
A copy of the application to inmate Serge Pomerleau, in which the dentist is asking only about $4,000 in travel expenses for himself and his support staff.
However, the price presented by Abouabdallah is even more worrying as another dentist valued the entire treatment at around $4,000, according to her written estimate, which we were able to consult.
Beyond the dispute over the price, the prisoner’s lawyer raises a very different question: “How is it that a dentist who has been paroled for life can work for the government,” asks Me Marie-Claude Lacroix.
Archival photo provided by the Sûreté du Québec
Serge Pomerleau, prisoner
Not banned in Quebec
Despite having his license revoked in Saskatchewan, he is still a member of the Order of Dentists of Quebec and is therefore able to practice here.
Along with our investigations office, Abouabdallah believes that he has “set his price according to the work to be done and the travel”.
He admits he works at the Drummondville facility every Friday, but that he travels there “to perform essential treatments that are less complex than those he was providing to this inmate.”
The CSC claims to have a mandate to provide basic health care and facilitate access to a dentist in private practice for other treatments, clarifies Jean-François Mathieu of the CSC.
On the ODQ side, trustee Mario Mailhot states that the ban in Saskatchewan does not prevent him from practicing in Quebec, but does not comment on the complaint.
Abouabdallah was also expelled from Quebec in 1992 for a period of 4 months. According to a decision by the Order of Dentists of Quebec, he had demanded fees for services not rendered and forged bills.
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