Hearing for Amber Athwal’s dentist wraps up, tribunal to decide on sanctions

The Alberta Dental Association and College (ADAC) wrapped up a hearing on Tuesday that looked at the actions of a dentist in connection with the hospitalization of a young Edmonton girl after she was sedated at his office.

Dr. William Mather, who has been practising dentistry for 43 years, will now have to wait for a tribunal to decide whether he should face any sanctions in the Amber Athwal case. The panel is made up of three dentists and one member of the public.

Last September, Amber – who was four at the time – went to see Mather for a consultation but shortly after, a dental procedure involving the use of an anesthetic was underway. Complications after saw Amber rushed to the Stollery Children’s Hospital. She went from being a healthy, functional child to being unable to talk, walk or recognize her parents. While she has made significant progress, her father says she still faces a long road to recovery.

“It was a hard time to listen to the whole incident again and especially how it went,” said Amber’s father, Raman Athwal. “It was hard for me and my family.”

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Athwal said Monday’s testimony from investigators was some of the most difficult information to hear. They said Mather’s records were far from adequate and the complaints director went as far as to say there was evidence Amber’s record was altered.

READ MORE: Edmonton dentist admits to several charges connected to Amber Athwal case

“There were many emotional times where me and my family broke down into tears,” Athwal said. “The timing wasn’t properly charted, that was the main issue.

“I’m worried about that. Like how it’s possible in the medical profession that people… are not charting everything.”

Mather faces five counts of unprofessional conduct from the ADAC and has already pleaded guilty to three charges.

READ MORE: Dentist in Amber Athwal case testifies at hearing Monday

Watch below: Oct. 23, 2017, Vinesh Pratap filed this report after an Edmonton dentist spoke publicly for the first time about an incident that left Amber Athwal with brain damage during what should have been a routine dental procedure.

1:26 Hearing into Edmonton dentist Dr. William Mather

Mather retired from dentistry in early October. Mather has alleged any injuries Athwal sustained after being put under general anaesthesia occurred because the family didn’t disclose the child’s full medical history or exactly what she ate and drank before the procedure.

The ADAC hearing got underway on Oct. 16 and Athwal has sat through the entire proceedings.

It is unclear what sanctions, if any, Mather could have imposed on him by the hearing’s tribunal.

It is also not clear when a decision will be made on whether to issue any sanctions or penalties. The ADAC said the hearing tribunal will submit their written decision “within a reasonable time after the conclusion of a hearing.”