Michael Lococo

Dental Degree

1961

University of Toronto, Canada

Previous Certificate(s) of Registration

General

May 17, 1961 - February 01, 2025

Initial Date of Registration

May 17, 1961

Terms, Conditions and Limitations In Effect

Case File: 150058

Decision Date:

October 26, 2015

Caution

As a result of its investigation of a formal complaint, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee decided to caution Dr. Lococo as follows:

  •    As part of Dr. Lococo Sr.’s response to the complaint he inappropriately contacted the patient’s previous health care practitioners and accessed the patient’s personal health information without express consent and not for the purpose of delivering health care. Given that Dr. Lococo Sr. was no longer treating the patient and that the patient had left his care and complained to the College about the treatment he provided, it was entirely inappropriate for him to access the patient’s personal health information and to do so for the sole purpose of justifying his response to the complaint. The panel will caution the member that patients have the right to privacy of their personal health information and that he should not contact other health care providers absent the patients’ consent to do so or in an emergency. The member will further be cautioned about his decision to request and obtain personal health information for an improper purpose.

  •    The tone of Dr. Lococo Sr.’s multiple responses to the complaint demonstrated his disdain for this patient and a lack of respect for the patient and the patient’s personal circumstances, as well as a failure to understand marginalized patients. Dr. Lococo is cautioned that dentists are distinguished not only by their cognitive and clinical skills, but also by their commitment to professionalism in their interactions with all patients. The hallmark of a professional dentist is the ability to interact with patients in a courteous, caring and professional manner. Care and effort must be taken to demonstrate respect and consideration in professional interactions with all patients, regardless as to the patients’ personal circumstances. 

  •    Dr. Lococo’s response to the complaint and his patient record failed to justify the member’s decision to charge for the complicated extraction of an upper anterior tooth. This procedure did not involve the raising of a flap, sectioning of the tooth or bone removal. In his response, the member wrote that the extraction procedure was “simple.” In this case, the decision to bill for a complicated extraction because sutures were placed was inappropriate. Dr. Lococo is cautioned that the fees for treatment must accurately reflect the treatment provided as documented in his patient records. 

  •    The tone and content of Dr. Lococo Sr.’s submissions to the College following him being advised of the panel’s intention was disrespectful of his governing body in that he stated that the ICR Committee was “misinformed,” “not well informed,” and “confused.” His written submissions further stated that the panel did not have his level of experience and therefore he would have to address them at “their level;” a derogatory statement. The member is cautioned about his apparent lack of respect for his governing body’s Council members and non-elected committee members, all of whom are appropriately trained and have the necessary expertise to carry out their statutory functions.
 

Specified Continuing Education or Remedial Program

Current Status:

Completed

Required Course

Oral Surgery, including diagnosis, treatment planning, appropriate radiographs and clinical examination, necessary chart notations and communication with patient to manage post-operative expectations

Current Status:

Completed

Required Course

RCDSO's course (DVD) in Informed Consent 

Current Status:

Completed

Required Course

RCDSO's course in recordkeeping

Current Status:

Completed

Required Practice Monitoring - Office Visits

Practice to be monitored for 24 months following completion of courses in oral surgery, informed consent and recordkeeping

Case File: 190663

Decision Date:

June 24, 2021

Specified Continuing Education or Remedial Program

Required Course

Ethics and professional behaviour, namely, ProBE, for which he must achieve an unconditional pass

Required Course

One-on-one course in recordkeeping

Required Course

One-on-one customized course in ethics and professionalism, with a focus on exemplifying these ideals in his written and oral communications with his regulator

Required Practice Monitoring - Office Visits

Practice to be monitored for 24 months following completion of courses in recordkeeping, ethics and professional behaviour and ethics and professionalism. 

Case File: 23-0574

Decision Date:

March 27, 2025

Caution

As a result of a report, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee decided to caution Dr. Dr. Michael Lococo, Sr. as follows:

• You failed to complete the Specified Continuing Education or Remediation Program (SCERP) directed by the Inquiries Complaints and Reports Committee in 2021, which included courses in dental recordkeeping and courses related to ethics and professionalism. These courses were directed by the Committee after it identified deficiencies in your practice which it sought to remediate. By failing to complete this SCERP, the College cannot be satisfied that these concerns have been addressed. Your failure to comply with the SCERP has undermined public confidence in both your ability to meet the expected standards and in your governability as a member of a regulated health profession. 

• Your communication about patients and the College has not consistently aligned with the College’s expectations as set out in its Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics requires that Ontario dentists communicate with compassion and demonstrate respect for human rights, dignity and the well-being of others. It is imperative that your future communication uphold the standards of professionalism expected of Ontario dentists.