(Durham Police Supplied Photo from 2024 Press Release)
A dentist charged following an alleged sexual assault at a Cobourg dental clinic was already facing sexual assault charges from a separate investigation in Durham Region and had been practising under strict conditions imposed by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
The Cobourg Police Service Criminal Investigation Bureau began investigating on June 27, 2026, after receiving a report of an alleged sexual assault during a dental appointment.
As a result of the investigation, on July 6, 2026, Sunilkumar Patel, 38, of Ajax, a dentist at Northumberland Dental Clinic, was arrested and charged with one count of sexual assault.
Patel was held for a bail hearing before being released on conditions with a future court date.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobourg Police Service at 905-372-6821 or provide anonymous information through Crime Stoppers.
According to the public register of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), Patel was already facing two counts of sexual assault stemming from criminal charges laid in Oshawa on July 24, 2024.
The College’s public register shows Patel has been practising under a series of voluntary undertakings and restrictions since Sept. 25, 2024.
Those conditions require him to:
· practise only under the direct supervision and continuous physical presence of a College-approved workplace monitor;
· display College-approved notices informing patients that he is practising under continuous supervision;
· submit to unannounced inspections by the College; and
· notify the College of any changes to his practice location, court dates and bail conditions.
The RCDSO register also lists the 2024 criminal release conditions, which included staying away from KC Dental in Ajax and having no contact with the complainant in that case.
Following his arrest in Cobourg, Patel was released on additional bail conditions, including residing at a specified address, notifying both the Cobourg Police Service and Durham Regional Police Service of any change of address, having no contact with two named individuals, remaining at least 100 metres away from them, and not seeking employment involving one-on-one medical, therapeutic, counselling or personal-care services to members of the public outside of his current dentistry practice.
Cobourg Police remind the public there is no statute of limitations for sexual offences and encourage anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a sexual assault to come forward.
“The conditions of continuous practice monitoring have not been lifted and are still in effect,” stated Lesley Byrne from the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
“He may only practice dentistry while in the continuous presence of a College-approved workplace monitor and with a sign indicating such to patients. He is also still subject to unannounced inspections of his practice locations and all the other conditions listed above and on the register.”
The charges against Patel have not been proven in court.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
