Calgary Dentist Faces Prison Time for $684,000 Insurance Fraud
CALGARY – A former Calgary dentist could face up to three years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding five insurance companies of over $684,000. Alena Smadych, 55, owner of All About Family Dental, submitted falsified invoices totaling $684,000 between 2013 and 2023, according to an agreed statement of facts presented in court Friday.
While Smadych has since fully repaid the defrauded amount, prosecutor Greg Whiteside informed Judge Gordon Wong that a prior 2007 fraud conviction, pardoned in 2018, is now considered active due to the new offenses. This impacts smadych’s criminal record.
Whiteside requested a two-to-three year sentence. Defense lawyer Alain Hepner argued for a suspended sentence, allowing Smadych to serve her time at home under specific conditions.A pre-sentence report from forensic psychologist Patrick Baillie noted Smadych initially minimized her involvement and denied responsibility, only accepting it “more significantly” during her third interview, as detailed by whiteside.
Addressing the court, Smadych expressed feelings of being ashamed of one’s profession and one’s family
.A sentencing decision is expected in January.
With information from Meghan Grant
