Halifax police have arrested a 78-year-old dentist for allegedly assaulting eight patients.
Police said Wednesday in a news release the man has been charged with eight counts of assault in connection with incidents that occurred at numerous locations between 1970 and 2020.
Court records identify the accused as Errol Franklyn Gaum, who has signed an undertaking to appear in provincial court April 26.
Police said they received numerous reports in November 2020 about the alleged assaults.
In a statement posted on its website Wednesday, the Nova Scotia Provincial Dental Board said it also received "a significant number" of complaints about Gaum in November 2020, including allegations dating back decades.
"On Nov. 19, 2020, the Provincial Dental Board took the extraordinary decision to swiftly suspend Dr. Gaum’s licence indefinitely in the interest of public safety and has fully co-operated with the Halifax Regional Police in its investigation," said the statement from board registrar Dr. Doug Mackey.
The board said its own investigation into the complaints is ongoing, calling the case "unusually complex."
Halifax police thanked the complainants for coming forward and for their patience over the past 15 months.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2022.
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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
The Canadian Press
