Patients who pre-paid for braces from a Windsor, Ont., orthodontist are out thousands of dollars as a result of his sudden death — and say they’re losing hope for reimbursement.
Dr. Jim Ghilzon, head of Ghilzon Orthodontics on Dougall Avenue, passed away in December 2025. He’d been practicing locally for decades, having obtained his dentistry degree in 1973 and his orthodontic specialization in 1980.
But Windsor resident Ewelina Kryza says the possibility of Ghilzon’s passing never occurred to her when she agreed to pay around $7,500 up front for orthodontic treatment.
“Anyone can pass away. But I thought, because he was for that long an orthodontist, that there’d be something in place in his business,” Kryza tells CBC News.
“Either another orthodontist under him, or insurance — just something, because it is a business.”
Kryza says she’s been insecure about her smile for as long as she can remember. When she entered her 40s, she decided to have both her upper and lower teeth straightened. She was referred to Ghilzon by her regular dentist.
Asked why she agreed to full payment in advance, Kryza says she did the math and the contract Ghilzon offered was 20 per cent cheaper than pay-as-you-go.
“It was a deal that was appealing,” Kryza said. “Obviously, now it’s costing me more.”
Orthodontics require regular appointments over several years. Kryza says she got her braces in 2023 and had more appointments to go when she learned of Ghilzon’s death.
Since then, Kryza says she’s received a single email, in February, advising her to select a new orthodontist.
“There is a process that has to be followed before any financial arrangements can be made. Unfortunately, this might take some time to finalize,” the message stated.
“This is a very difficult period. We appreciate your patience and understanding.”
The same message, dated Feb. 9, 2026, is posted on the entrance of the closed offices of Ghilzon Orthodontics at 3109 Dougall Ave.
The building is unstaffed and its doors are locked. Its dental treatment area, visible through its windows, is in a state of disarray.
CBC Windsor’s multiple attempts to contact Ghilzon Orthodontics via phone and email did not elicit any response, and attempts to contact surviving family were unsuccessful.
The practice’s website does not have any information about Ghilzon’s death or directions for patients, though Google lists the practice as permanently closed. Ghilzon is the only practitioner listed on the website.
“We just want some answers,” Kryza said.
Frustrated by the uncertainty, Kryza started a group chat for former clients of Ghilzon who say they are owed services. The group has grown to 23 people.
Among them is Nicole Fiorito, who paid almost $6,000 up front for braces for her 12-year-old daughter.
“We had just started her treatments,” Fiorito says. “She got the bottom braces in November 2025.”
Fiorito says that when she learned of Ghilzon’s death, she personally “stalked” the office until she was able to speak with a staff member and obtain her child’s dental charts, moulds and paperwork.
But that was months ago, and there’s been no word about refunds. Fiorito says she has spoken with a lawyer and gone over the contract carefully. It doesn’t mention any contingency plan for the death of the physician.
“Someone has to have ownership of this,” Fiorito said. “I’m shocked that there’s nothing to back him up.”
Fiorito says she’s learned a lesson: Don’t pay in full for future treatment.
The Ontario Dental Association, when asked for comment about the situation, deferred to the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
But the RCDSO stated that all billing issues are regulated by the Ontario Dental Association, not the Royal College.
“Usually, when a dentist passes away, a succession plan developed by the deceased dentist takes effect, and it includes a plan to transfer the care of active patients, and safeguard patient records,” wrote RCDSO spokesperson Lesley Byrne in a reply to CBC Windsor.
Byrne said dentists have obligations in terms of dental recordkeeping under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act, as well as the Royal College’s guidelines. An estate trustee is expected to assume responsibility of those records.
However, legal and financial advice for patients in the event of an office closure is “outside the College’s jurisdiction,” Byrne wrote.
There’s been some talk among the former patients about taking their matter to civil court. But Kryza says no one is eager to incur legal costs on top of their dental payments.
Earlier in May, Kryza made the decision to have her braces taken off by a different orthodontist. The removal procedure cost her around $800, and if she wants to try braces again, she’ll have to pay for a new process from the beginning.
“It’s hard. I trusted them. They made it seem like everything would be taken care of.”
