At least six civil claims have been filed against a former South Surrey dentist, alleging substandard treatment.
Vancouver lawyer Alex Sayn-Wittgenstein confirmed Monday he is representing “a number” of claimants in the actions against Narendra (Randy) Narayan.
The earliest of the claims was filed last July; the four most recent were filed on Dec. 21.
“The allegations are… substandard dental treatment, much of which relate to dental restoration, such as crowns, fillings, root canals,” Sayn-Wittgenstein said.
According to a notice of claim filed last summer on behalf of Patricia Moore, Narayan carried out dental work at his Kosmetiks Dental Clinic “in a negligent and substandard manner.”
Narayan, in a statement of defence filed in October, denies the allegations.
“In answer to the whole of the Notice of Civil Claim, the defendants say that at all material times they met the standard of care in all the circumstances.
“…they acted with reasonable care, skill and diligence and in accordance with the applicable standard of care reasonably expected of a dentist in the community.”
Moore’s claim states she saw Narayan from 2005 to 2012, and spent “tens of thousands of dollars” on dental work that included bridges, root canals, dental hygiene and crowns, and learned, upon seeing another dentist, “that significant aspects of the dental work carried out by Dr. Narayan was substandard.”
“Dr. Narayan’s provision of substandard dental care and treatment was widespread and systemic in his practice and he knew or ought to have known at the time of making representations as to his expertise before embarking on the dental work that he did not have the ability to carry out the dental work in a proper manner,” the claim states.
Moore is seeking relief including general damages, special damages and past and future care costs.
Narayan’s statement notes – in defense of allegations that negligence and breach of contract on his part caused and will continue to cause Moore pain, loss of enjoyment and anxiety – that Moore caused or contributed to any suffering by her own negligence, including “failing to take all reasonable care for her own dental health.”
Reached Tuesday, Narayan’s lawyer David Bell confirmed statements of defence will be filed in response to the other claims.
Bell had no comment on the allegations, and said Narayan would “almost certainly not” be commenting either.
“The matter is before the courts and we’ll let them decide,” Bell said.
Sayn-Wittgenstein said that while additional claims against Narayan are pending, there is no application for a class-action suit.
No trial dates have been set; in civil proceedings, those “are generally two years down the road,” he said.
An official with the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. said Narayan is no longer registered to practise, as of July 2012.
“He has voluntarily withdrawn from practise, last year,” confirmed Anita Wilks, senior communications manager with the college.
