A Winnipeg dental clinic is suing a man, alleging he damaged the clinic’s reputation by posting numerous negative online reviews. According to a statement of claim filed in Manitoba’s Court of Queen’s Bench on July 29, the clinic claims the reviews are “false, inaccurate, misleading, and defamatory.”
The lawsuit alleges that the man, starting in early July, posted negative reviews about the downtown dental clinic on various platforms, including Facebook, Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
He claimed to have had a bad experience with the clinic for a tooth extraction in late June and blamed the clinic for not providing oral sedation. He also claimed he accidentally pulled out his stitches while changing a dressing.
In one review, the man even wrote, “Go find a homeless person in a back alley, give them $50, and have them pull your tooth. It’ll be less painful in the long run!” This extreme statement is also cited in the clinic’s lawsuit.
While the case is pending, a spokesperson for the clinic declined to comment on the lawsuit. But he told CBC News in an email that the clinic welcomes constructive criticism to help improve its services.
“However, this does not give anyone the right to spread false or defamatory statements. Such behavior is not only damaging to the company’s reputation but also cowardly and prohibited by law,” the spokesperson wrote.
In the lawsuit, the clinic seeks general, special, and punitive damages, and requires him to remove all defamatory material about the clinic and to injunct him from posting similar content in the future.
Documents also indicate that the clinic apologized to the man and offered to arrange an interview with the dentist in question. He declined the clinic’s offer and sought a refund through clinic management and the Manitoba Dental Association.
While the man later removed his Google review, his reviews on three other platforms remain. The lawsuit alleges that his motivation was to recover dental expenses and damage the clinic’s reputation and revenue by questioning its integrity.
The clinic claims the comments have caused actual damage to its business and are likely to continue to undermine customer trust. None of the allegations have been proven in court, and the man has yet to file a statement of defence.