Melissa Lopez: Ontario; CBC reports she claims to have a permanent Childrens Aid Society file after swapping dentists when one reported 'possible oral abuse' on the basis that her 10-year-old daughter had 9 cavities...."Melissa Lopez says her 10-year-old daughter Elianna was told she had nine cavities by a dentist, so the Whitby mom took her for a second opinion. Later, Lopez says the first dentist reported her to the Children's Aid Society. (Supplied by Melissa Lopez) 13k shares Whitby, Ont., resident Melissa Lopez says she was surprised when she brought her daughter Elianna to a new dentist last year and was told the 10-year-old had nine cavities. The mother of three said she was told the child would require thousands of dollars in dental work. Because the family doesn't have dental insurance, they would have to pay for the work themselves, so Lopez decided to get a second opinion. In June, she received a call from the Children's Aid Society, saying the first dentist had reported her for possible "oral neglect" of her daughter. "I couldn't believe it," Lopez told CBC Toronto in an interview this week. Lopez wonders why a dentist would be allowed to report a parent without knowing all the facts, and why she now has a permanent case file with the CAS — even though she provided them with evidence of her daughter's dental work and was told the case was quickly closed. "As a mother, you pride yourself on how you raise your kids. I have three kids — they're healthy, they're happy, they do great in school, they have lots of friends," Lopez said. "For someone to turn around and try to accuse me of neglecting her, it's absurd."

 
STORY: "'It's absurd': Whitby, Ont., mom turned in to children's aid after dentist reports possible 'oral neglect', by reporter Lauren Pelley, published by CBC News on July 16, 2017.

SUB-HEADING: "Melissa Lopez says she has permanent CAS file after swapping dentists when 1 said daughter had 9 cavities."

PHOTO CAPTION: "Melissa Lopez says her 10-year-old daughter Elianna was told she had nine cavities by a dentist, so the Whitby mom took her for a second opinion. Later, Lopez says the first dentist reported her to the Children's Aid Society."

GIST: "Whitby, Ont., resident Melissa Lopez says she was surprised when she brought her daughter Elianna to a new dentist last year and was told the 10-year-old had nine cavities. The mother of three said she was told the child would require thousands of dollars in dental work. Because the family doesn't have dental insurance, they would have to pay for the work themselves, so Lopez decided to get a second opinion. In June, she received a call from the Children's Aid Society, saying the first dentist had reported her for possible "oral neglect" of her daughter. "I couldn't believe it," Lopez told CBC Toronto in an interview this week. Lopez wonders why a dentist would be allowed to report a parent without knowing all the facts, and why she now has a permanent case file with the CAS — even though she provided them with evidence of her daughter's dental work and was told the case was quickly closed. "As a mother, you pride yourself on how you raise your kids. I have three kids — they're healthy, they're happy, they do great in school, they have lots of friends," Lopez said. "For someone to turn around and try to accuse me of neglecting her, it's absurd." Lopez said that, while she didn't notify the first dentist or respond to the office's reminders about booking appointments, that shouldn't be a red flag given how frequently people switch dentists. "There was no sort of letter stating they're concerned for her health ... We've switched dentists before and never notified the previous one," she said. After providing proof to the CAS that her daughter is in good hands, she said the society dropped its request for an interview and closed the case. But the file, Lopez claims she was told, is permanent. "It will always be there, 10, 15, 20 years from now," she said. "I'm red-flagged, I've been marked, and there's no reason for this to have happened." According to the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), that first dentist was just doing his job."

The entire story can be found at:
 http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/dentist-switch-cas-1.4205558

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy; Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;