Updated January 8, 2023
Grievance Process
The grievance process is not intended to carry legal ramifications in any way or form. The process provides a pathway for an individual to lodge a formal or informal complaint against an IAED member or the IAED If they believe the IAED standards or code of conduct have been compromised. The process was created to ensure accountability among our members and the industry as a whole as all members are bound by the IAED code of conduct. IAED Certified Practitioners are further bound to uphold the IAED standards. To file a grievance please email your complaint to info@iaedonline.com stating your concern and provide documentation suitable to the type of grievance you wish to file.
The Grievance Committee will respond to any grievances against the International Association of Equine Dentistry or any of its members. There are three types of grievances.
Type 1 Grievance
Necessary documentation to pursue Type 1 grievance:
- Practitioner’s name, address, phone number, and said status in the International Association of Equine Dentistry.
- Signed and dated letter of complaint with a return address. This information is preferred to be received via email but can be via regular post, to the grievance committee.
Responsibilities of Grievance Committee for a Type 1 Grievance:
- Record a grievance with the Secretary of the International Association of Equine Dentistry.
- Request the President to return a letter to the griever acknowledging receipt of their letter.
- Request the President to send a copy of the letter of grievance to the grieved and request a response in writing within 30 days. This reply is preferred to be received via email but can be via regular post. Proof of reply will be required if the grievance committee claims it did not receive it.
A Type 1 grievance will be kept on file and recorded with the International Association of Equine Dentistry for 5 years.
Note, no further action will be taken, unless there are repetitive complaints against a single practitioner.
In extenuating circumstances, the Grievance Committee may investigate further or file a Type 2 grievance on behalf of the International Association of Equine Dentistry if they see fit to do so.
Type 2 Grievance
Necessary documentation to pursue Type 2 grievance:
- Practitioner’s name, address, phone number, and said status in the International Association of Equine Dentistry.
- Signed and dated letter of complaint with a return address from the client, if applicable. Signed and dated letter of complaint with a return address from the attending veterinarian or the primary veterinarian, if applicable.
- Copy of the relevant country, state, or province veterinary act, if applicable.
- Photos where applicable.
The above information is preferred to be received via email but can be via regular post, to the grievance committee. In certain cases, the Grievance Committee may ask for an independent veterinarian or a certified member of the International Association of Equine Dentistry to perform an examination.
Responsibilities of Grievance Committee for a Type 2 Grievance:
- Record a grievance with the Secretary of the International Association of Equine Dentistry
- Notifies the practitioner immediately by email or certified mail of the said accusations and requires a written response to said accusations within 30 days of the notice date. This reply is preferred via email but can be via regular post. Proof of reply will be required if the grievance committee claims it did not receive it.
- Evaluate and investigate complaints against members of the International Association of Equine Dentistry.
- Maintain communication with the griever.
- Compile information and make recommendations to the President of the International Association of Equine Dentistry.
- The President of the International Association of Equine Dentistry is to pass on the final decision to the griever.
Considerations for a Type 2 Grievance:
- Was the practitioner working within the code of conduct and standard of practice of the International Association of Equine Dentistry?
- Documentation from the practitioner.
Actions resulting from a Type 2 grievance may range from a letter of complete reprieve to termination of membership. In the case of termination of membership, acknowledgment of any and all certification levels by the International Association of Equine Dentistry would be lost.
Type 3 Grievance: Grievance/letter of interest against a Non-Member
Necessary documentation to pursue Type 3 grievance:
- Practitioner’s name, address, phone number
- Signed and dated letter of interest or complaint with a return address from the client, if applicable.
- Signed and dated letter of complaint with a return address from the attending veterinarian or the primary veterinarian, if applicable.
- Photos where applicable.
- Copy of the relevant country, state, or province veterinary act, if applicable.
The above information is preferred to be received via email but can be via regular post, to the grievance committee.
Responsibilities of Grievance Committee for a Type 3 Grievance:
- Record a grievance with the Secretary of the International Association of Equine Dentistry
- Evaluate and investigate complaints against said practitioner or person.
- Maintain communication with the griever.
- Compile information and make recommendations to the President and the board of directors of the International Association of Equine Dentistry.
- The President of the International Association of Equine Dentistry is to pass on the final decision of the IAED board of directors to the griever.
Actions resulting from a Type 3 grievance may range from a complete reprieve to the accused being reported to local law agencies or legal action taken by the IAED itself. If it is felt that the IAED has been misrepresented in any form of media, the IAED may then pursue a response, in that same media or other media with the same coverage, to address such misrepresentation to the public.
Responsibilities of the IAED
The Grievance Committee of the International Association of Equine Dentistry will strive to investigate and follow through with all letters of interest or grievances made in accordance with the procedure outlined here. The Code of Conduct and Standard of Practice of the International Association of Equine Dentistry will be the main instrument used in determining a grievance.
- The Board of Directors is responsible for assigning an ad hoc committee whenever a grievance is filed.
- The Board will ensure there is no conflict of interest on the committee. If a board member is involved and or named in a grievance the individual will not take part in the grievance committee’s or the BOD’s discussions beyond what the process entitles them to do.
- The Grievance Committee will have a minimum of 3 people. One of the positions is to be filled by an examiner, one certified non-veterinarian equine dental practitioner, and one veterinarian when possible.
- The Grievance Committee will make recommendations to the Board which will vote on the outcome and required actions.
- The grieved has the right to appeal the decision.
- The grievance committee would be responsible for further investigations and compiling information for the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors’ decision would be binding.
- The final decisions of the President or Board of Directors of the International Association of Equine Dentistry will be posted on the website.
- All correspondence shall be via email when possible. Certified mail will be used where email is not suitable.
Responsibilities of the Grieved
- The grieved is required to acknowledge and respond in writing to the Grievance Committee within 30 days of notice of any grievance against them.
If the grieved does not respond in writing within 30 days of the initial notice date to the Grievance Committee, the committee will recommend that any certification and or membership be suspended. At this time the Grievance Committee will send a second letter via certified mail. If the grieved does not respond in writing to the Grievance Committee within a further 30 days from this certified postal date, the committee will recommend that any certification and or membership be terminated
- If a member has had his/her membership suspended or terminated due to their lack of response to the Grievance Committee, he/she may petition the Board of Directors to re-open the grievance against them by submitting documentation that was previously requested by the Grievance Committee.
