Showing posts with label Small Smiles Kansas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Small Smiles Kansas. Show all posts

Monday, June 23, 2008

Small Smiles Denial Of Owning Clinics In Kansas Debunked

This is a repost from March 2008

The Wichita Eagle

March 15, 2008

  • Original The Wichita Eagle article:

A Wichita dental clinic that serves mostly low-income children is drawing criticism from some parents and other dentists, in part for using procedures that the critics say traumatize its young patients.

They say Small Smiles Dental Clinic of Wichita routinely restrains children during treatment, does not allow parents to accompany their children to treatment and does work that doesn't seem necessary.

In addition, the dentists are concerned that Small Smiles tries to give the impression it is staffed by dentists who are specialists in children's care. And, they say, it is corporate dentistry, a practice not allowed in Kansas.

Small Smiles dentist Reza Akbar, in an e-mailed statement, said, 'We are proud of the high-quality, compassionate care we provide.... Last year, we served more than 11,000 children, and the feedback I have received has been overwhelmingly positive. I am unaware of any concerns raised by parents.'

Akbar is the owner of the clinic, according to a Small Smiles spokesman.

Small Smiles, which opened in 2005, turned down requests for interviews or visits. An out-of-state spokesman for Small Smiles, who asked not to be named, said by e-mail, 'This is a concerted effort by the company to focus on patient care in the midst of recent scrutiny.'

In November, ABC News and an affiliate ran stories about Small Smiles offices in the Washington, D.C., area. The stories told of frightened children, the use of restraints and the prohibition of parents in the treatment area -- the same concerns echoed by parents and dentists in Wichita in interviews with The Eagle.

Many Medicaid clients

Small Smiles' advertising notes that it serves Medicaid and HealthWave children. The Small Smiles spokesman said 98 percent of Small Smiles' Wichita patients have Medicaid or HealthWave, programs that provide medical and dental coverage for low-income children and some others who meet income guidelines.

Many dentists do not accept Medicaid patients or accept only a few because the reimbursement for their care is less than what is paid by private insurance. But Crystal Walker, a pediatric dentist, said four of the five pediatric dental practices in Wichita do accept Medicaid patients. Some general dentists also take those patients, and dental care is offered to Medicaid patients at GraceMed and some other clinics.

In 2007, Small Smiles got more than $4.5 million in Medicaid and HealthWave dental payments from the state, according to the Kansas Health Policy Authority. The clinic declined to say how many dentists it employs.

The clinic uses what amounts to assembly-line dentistry, some say.

'They go in, they do the cleaning, they do the diagnostic, they get everything done that they can in one day,' said pediatric dentist David Brown.

'It was like an assembly line,' said Shelbi Meisch, whose daughter was a Small Smiles patient. 'There was just nothing about the experience that felt like you were getting good care.'

Restraining patients

Though parents said they were not allowed to accompany their children into the treatment area, the Small Smiles spokesman said that's not policy: 'Parents decide in consultation with their dentist whether or not to be present during their child's care,' his e-mail said.

Jeff Davis said he and his wife were asked to sign a consent form giving Small Smiles permission 'to do everything from yell at the child to physically restrain them to tie them down.'

Meisch, as well as Delicia Akbar, whose children also were Small Smiles patients, said uncooperative children -- including theirs -- are immobilized in a 'papoose board.' Akbar isn't related to the Small Smiles dentist.

The Small Smiles spokesman provided a copy of a consent form used at Small Smiles in Rochester, N.Y., and said the one in Wichita is similar.

It asks parents to agree to 'protective stabilization,' described this way: 'The child is wrapped in the device and placed in a reclined dental chair.' Pictures on the form show a child with what looks like a blanket and a shaped back piece.

Medical suppliers describe a 'papoose board' as a rigid board with wide fabric straps that have Velcro fasteners. Separate straps hold limbs inside the wrap, providing a snug-fitting restraint that immobilizes the patient.

The Small Smiles spokesman said, 'Our records indicate that protective restraint was used in fewer than 3 percent of all patient visits in Wichita last year.'

Akbar took her three children to Small Smiles. She read and signed the consent form 'but my understanding of the restraint was not something.. to strap them down.' She said the papoose board was used on her 9-year-old.

'I didn't even think anything negative until the kids came out

Copyright © 2008 The Wichita Eagle, All Rights Reserved.

____________________________________________________________________________

Thanks to a heads up from one of my readers, here is an article where Mike DeRose admits they own and operate clinics in Kansas:

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 9, 2004 by CARY LEIDER VOGRIN THE GAZETTE

Dr. Michael DeRose describes himself as "just a simple little Pueblo kid that wanted to help poor kids."

DeRose, 47, is a third-generation dentist, following in his grandfather's and father's footsteps.

Bruno DeRose graduated from dental school in 1928; Edward DeRose started practicing in 1961. Michael DeRose went to dental school at his father's alma mater, Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., returning to his hometown to practice in 1982.

Michael DeRose said his dad had the heart to treat low-income children, explaining how the family got into the Medicaid business.

"He opened his doors for every patient," he said.

He and his father practiced together and became known to kids around Pueblo as "Spaghetti Eddie and Meatball Mike" because of their Italian heritage, DeRose said. Business grew when they opened a second clinic in Colorado Springs in 1995.

The DeRoses have built something of a dental dynasty, having a financial stake in clinics in eight states: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Indiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Kansas.

"It's really a family-owned business with Dr. (William) Mueller," he said, referring to a Denver dentist who has a financial interest in some clinics.

DeRose said his brother, Dan, provides marketing and management services, and an uncle, Adolph Padula, has a financial interest in some clinics. Neither responded to a request for an interview. Mueller did not respond to a registered letter sent by The Gazette.

The clinics have done well. Michael DeRose bought a home last year in Pueblo West overlooking Lake Pueblo for $3.4 million -- a record price in Pueblo County for what the Assessor's Office terms "a nonagricultural based residence."

The family has a stake in 21 clinics across the nation staffed by about 70 dentists, according to Michael DeRose. Dental offices most recently were opened in Kansas City, Kan., and Florence, S.C., he said.

Plans are under way for expansion.

"We think that there's more places in Georgia that could really use our help," DeRose said. "We've looked at Oklahoma as a consideration. They have a lot of need in the Oklahoma City area, maybe Tulsa."

The clinics are "well-received" because they fill a need, DeRose said.

Small Smiles in Colorado Springs, for example, is in an area where 26 percent of people age 17 and younger live in poverty, according to census statistics.

"There is an epidemic in the United States, and it's hard to believe we can put a man on the moon and yet there are thousands and thousands of poor children that cannot find dental treatment," DeRose said.

It's common at his clinics, he said, to see children with severe decay.

During an interview at the Pueblo clinic, DeRose offered a tour. Treatment rooms are painted with kids in mind: There's a blue- andorange "Broncos" room and another with an "Austin Powers" theme. For younger children, rooms are decked out with "Scooby Doo" and "Blue's Clues."

The dentists go by kid-friendly names, wearing shirts that read "Dr. Mike" and "Dr. Nate."

Edward DeRose is retired from practice but still has a large office at the Pueblo clinic.

Michael DeRose said business has "grown beyond our dreams," but money isn't the motivator.

"Sure, business, if you can make money at it, that's great," he said. "But when it's dual purpose and you can make money yet help people -- that's the best thing you can do."

DeRose said he's had no problems finding dentists for his clinics.

"There's a lot of dentists that have the heart to treat poor children. A lot of doctors really would like to do this but they just feel like they can't make money at it," he said. "We can provide them an opportunity to do something that's their dream. It's the best of both worlds.

"There really is something to be said about sleeping good at night." (I bet he's not sleeping so well at night right now.)

Copyright 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

____________________________________________________________________________

I have already posted on this blog the campaign contributions that Dr. Mohammad Reza Akbar, of Pueblo, CO had made to a Kansas politician in the name of Small Smiles.

Plus if you guys could see an in-house company directory you would see the Small Smiles in Kansas listed as part of the company.

So Kansas, is corporate dentistry like this now legal or are they going to be shut down. It's not like Small Smiles accidentally opened up these clinics. They blatantly broke your laws with intent to defraud your medicaid system.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Small Smiles Still Growing In Kansas: HUH??

I see on Small Smiles website they still don't list clinics in Kansas, yet as we know they are certainly there. Oh wait, FORBA says they don't have clinics in Kansas! Huh?

Yes, there are a couple of Small Smiles in Kansas and at present they are under fire. They say the dentists who is actually working at the clinics "own" the clinics and has a financial interest in the clinic, but that is simply not the truth.


Even though there are no Small Smiles clinics listed at smallsmilesusa.com there are job openings listed across the internet to come help give children the smiles they deserve in Kansas Small Smiles. eek Here is one listed 21 days ago for front office help

Here is a link showing a campaign donation from a Pueblo, Colorado Dentist, Dr. Mohammad Akzar to a Kansas State Representative's campaign in 2006 in the name of Small Smiles of Wichita Health Care.

Oddly enough
Reza Akbar is the name of the dentist who says they own Small Smiles of Wichita. Hmmm

Here is the first blog on this

Now one would think these are maybe two different people but lookie here.... Kansas Dental Licenses Number 60330 is a one Mohammad Reza Akbar. So that champaign contribution listed about from Mohammad Akbar from Pueblo Colorado IS Reza Akbar. Dr. Akbar also is licensed in Colorado, number DEN-8903. Wonder how Dr. Akbar feels being a scape goat for Michael DeRose?

....and to think they tried to fool me with those Islamic names...
Ha! Not a chance! Wonder if Dr. Akbar's papers are all in order, isn't this an Iranian name?wink I get so confused....

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Small Smiles In Kansas, Just Plain Illegal.

Kansas Law States the following in regard to Corporate Dentistry:

K.S.A. 65-1435 It unlawful for any person to practice dentistry under any name except such person's own name, with two exceptions:

1. subsection (b)(2) which allows two or more dentists to associate together for the practice of dentistry in a professional corporation, organized under the professional corporation law and under a corporate name that may or may not contain the proper name of any of the dentists.

2.
(b)(3)associating together with persons licensed to practice medicine and surgery in a clinic or professional association under a name that may or may not contain the proper name of any such person or persons and may contain the word "clinic."

From the AG's Opinion:


It is clear from the prohibition in K.S.A. 1994 Supp. 65-1435 that one dentist may not practice dentistry as a professional corporation and under a corporate name unless the dentist "associates" with one or more other dentists.

The act indicates a legislative intent to protect the public from the fraudulent practice of dentistry by a corporation or under a business name that indicates there is more than one dentist in that practice when in fact there is not.

In conclusion it is our opinion that dentists who want to incorporate under a corporate name pursuant to subsection (b) (2) of K.S.A. 65-1435 must join together for the common purpose of the practice of dentistry and so long as there is more than one dentist practicing dentistry in a corporation established in accordance with the professional corporation law, the requirements of K.S.A. 1994 Supp. 65-1435 (b) (2) are met.

Read the full opinion here
Many states are not as strict with their regulations or wording which is why is some states the Corporation Umbrella that some of DeRose's clinics operate is under Michael A. DeRose, DDS PA. After he has his actual name established in those more lenient states he's ready to set up operation.

Yes, there are a couple of Small Smiles in Kansas and at present they are under fire. They say the dentists who is actually working at the clinics "own" the clinics and has a financial interest in the clinic, but that is simply not the truth. But rest assured, if FORBA/Small Smiles/DeRose can find a way, they certainly will.

Hopefully Kansas will be paying close attention, listen to their citizens and run these people out of the state on a very long, far reaching rail.

With any luck at all, more states will take Kansas's lead here and change the laws, so that if a dentist has a licenses in your state and his name in hanging on the door under whatever cute little name he wants to call "his" clinic he better see patients there, so in case of mishap you don't have to run him down across several states to nail his butt.

update:  4-21-2010
Kansas is allowing FORBA to operate clinics in it's state and doing nothing to stop it.