Illegal Practice: Vladimir Shapoval
Dental regulator pursues legal action against Vladimir Shapoval
for contempt of court
Coquitlam, B.C.
December 18, 2013
UPDATE February 26, 2014: Read the BC Supreme Court Decision in the case of Vladimir Shapoval
The College of Dental Surgeons of BC has taken legal action against
Vladimir Shapoval for providing dentistry services illegally and
breaching an order of the BC Supreme Court. Mr. Shapoval has never been
registered as a dentist in B.C.
Mr. Shapoval came to our attention in 2006 when a member of the public
complained about dental treatment they received from him. The College
brought legal proceedings and Mr. Shapoval consented to an order
prohibiting him from practicing dentistry or holding himself out as a
dentist. In the wake of the Tung Sheng Wu investigation, the College
committed to following up on previously-issued injunctions, and this
file was reviewed as a result of that commitment.
The College’s investigators conducted surveillance at Mr. Shapoval’s
residence at 3209 Salt Spring Avenue in Coquitlam. Our investigators
gathered evidence indicating that dentistry was again being performed by
Mr. Shapoval, despite the existing injunction. We asked for – and were
granted – permission from BC Supreme Court to conduct a search and
seizure at Mr. Shapoval’s residence. The court also issued an interim
injunction that prohibited Mr. Shapoval from practising dentistry.
Our investigators carried out the search and seizure with the assistance
of local police at Mr. Shapoval’s residence on October 11, 2013. We
seized extensive dental material and equipment from the residence. There
were no patient files found.
On December 17, the College appeared in Court to report on the search of
Mr. Shapoval’s residence. As the file was previously sealed by Court
order, the College sought, and was granted, the Court’s permission to
publish Mr. Shapoval’s name, photograph, and address to alert the public
about the unauthorized practice of dentistry.
This matter will be back before the Court for a hearing sometime in early 2014.
Although Mr. Shapoval’s practice did not meet infection control
standards required of BC dentists, it was clear that there were some
efforts at infection control. After consulting with health authorities,
we believe a public health alert is not warranted. However, anyone who
sees an illegal practitioner puts themselves and their family at risk
for bacterial and viral infections. There is no assurance that the
practitioner is competent or qualified to provide treatment, or that the
materials and equipment they use are safe.
We recommend that any person who is treated by an illegal practitioner
consult with their physician and that they visit a competent and
accountable dentist (registered with the College) to review the work
done and the materials used.
To check the registration status of a dentist in B.C., you can look them up on the College’s Registrant Lookup.
Jerome Marburg, Registrar & CEO
College of Dental Surgeons of BC
