Well it appears that children in Colorado are a tiny bit safer. Dr. Michael Anthony DeRose's Dental Licenses (Number DEN-5133) has retired those licenses to torture children at least in Colorado, not sure about other states and dad has let his licenses expire.
However if states are staying on top of things he shouldn't be allowed a licenses in any state! But so far, (and I'm sorry about this guys,) state Dental Boards are not exactly the sharpest bit in the drawer.
Now,ole, Ed, (the master mind behind the Torture Children For Medicaid Dollars Scheme) has let his licenses ( DEN-2931)in Colorado lapse. They expired in February and bless his heart, he didn't renew them. God Bless Us Every One.
HOWEVER::::::: There are still DeRose's in the dental community with active licenses in the state:
Louis A DeRose-Dentist-License number DEN-104507-Wheatridge, CO and Kerry Jean DeRose-Dental Hygienist-License number DH-201929-Pueblo, CO
Louis or Kerry seem to have any "actions" against them in Colorado at this time but I sure would be interested in what these two think of Ed and Michael, and most of all I'd like to hear how they've kept their names out of all of this, cause ole Dan sure hasn't!
Maybe Ed and Michael can head on over to Bahrain and open up some clinics, like in palace compound or something. Treat them'thar royal kids....
but be careful folks, William Mueller still has his licenses.... be on the lookout.
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. 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? I get so confused....
Here is the address of the clinic I'm speaking to:
Small Smiles of Boise, ID 208-322-3010 8744 W Fairview Ave Boise, ID 83704
I understand you are still employed there but are very upset at the treatment of the children. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help stop this abuse and contact me. Someone IMPORTANT would like to have some kind of contact with you, even a simple anonymous email will do.
Per the Ohio Dental Board actions against Chad Hoecker he is on probation for a year in Ohio and can't only accept children, since he is a general dentist. I am not sure what happened in the Oklahoma meeting because he wasn't in the minutes.
More importantly he comes from a long line of legal dodgers: His dad is a dentist who still has his license after exposing himself to a patient.
Case Detail http://www.odcr.com/detail.php?Case=036NCRF%208600258&County=036N
County: Kay (Newkirk) - County Last Updated: 05/20/2008 09:00
Case: CRF-86-00258
STATE OF OKLAHOMA vs. HOECKER, GLEN RAY
Date Filed: 08/19/1986
Offense
INDECENT EXPOSURE (FEL)
Parties
Defendant HOECKER, GLEN RAY
09/22/1986
Date Action: ST GUILTY PLEA Completed : 09/22/1986
Word Mark: SMALL SMILES Good & Services:IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Provision of business management services for dental office development and operations. Serial Number: 78953016 Filing Date: 10-16-2006 Published for Opposition: June 12, 2007 Owner: Sanus Holdings, LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY DELAWARE Suite 201 1114 17th Avenue South Nashville TENNESSEE 37212 Attorney of Record: Robert P. Felber, Jr. Dead/Live: Live ____________________________________________________________________
Word Mark: Small Smiles Goods and Services:
IC 044. US 100 101. G & S: Dentist services. FIRST USE: 20070917. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20070917
Serial Number: 77295476 Filing Date:October 3, 2007 Published for Opposition: March 18, 2008 Owner: Forba Holdings, LLC LTD LIAB CO DELAWARE Suite 520 618 Church Street Nashville TENNESSEE 37219 Attorney of Record: Robert P. Felber, Jr. Dead/Live: Live ____________________________________________________________________ Word Mark: Small Smiles Good & Services: IC 044. US 100 101. G & S: Dentist services. FIRST USE: 20070917. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20070917 Serial Number: 77295429 Filing Date: October 3, 2007 Published for Opposition:March 18, 2008 Owner: Forba Holdings, LLC LTD LIAB CO DELAWARE Suite 520 618 Church Street Nashville TENNESSEE 37219 Attorney Of Record: Robert P. Felber, Jr. Dead/Live: Live ______________________________________________________________________
Word Mark: FORBA Goods and Services:IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Personnel recruiting services for dental offices. FIRST USE: 20010500. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20010500 Serial Number:77156357 Filing Date:April 13, 2007 Published for Opposition: September 4, 2007 Owner:FORBA Holdings, LLC LTD LIAB CO DELAWARE Suite 520 618 Church Street Nashville TENNESSEE 37219 Attorney of Record:Robert P. Felber, Jr. Dead/Live: Live
I tell ya what, that Church Street address in Nashville just keeps showing up again and again. In various documents I personally found at the Colorado SOS website that addess is associated with Sanus, Smile High, FORBA, DeRose Children's Dental Center and more.
I would say Small Smiles and Ocean Dental and apparently Kool Smiles, since it's planning on opening up a clinic as well, in Louisville are walking a fine line according to KAR (Kentucky Administrative Regulations) Title 201.
201 KAR 8:006 prohibits a dentist from using false, misleading, or deceptive advertising and also establishes the rules for dentists to advertise as specialists or as being especially qualified in any area of dentistry.
All dental advertisements shall contain the name of each licensed dentist providing services within that practice.
Further, a dentist shall not use the name of a
dentist who does not have an ownership interest or
any association in the dental practice. A dentist
who purchases the dental practice of another
dentist shall not use the name of the seller for
more than one (1) year after the purchase of the
practice. Also, a dentist shall not use the name of
another dentist who formerly practiced as a
partner, after the termination of that partner’s
ownership interest in the dental practice.
Any licensed Kentucky dentist may submit their
proposed advertising to the Kentucky Board of
Dentistry for written approval prior to using the
advertising.
Plus according to other rules, a dentist is Kentucky must actively participate, and something tells me the owners of these clinics don't actively participate in the practice of dentistry in Kentucky.
Dr. Jim Allen, DMD moved to disapprove Dr. Tony Quiroa’srequest for Board approval for hygienists from Small Smiles of Louisville to conduct dental screening services at various elementary schools. Dr. Gaskill seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Kudo's to the Kentucky Dental Board but should Small Smiles even be in the state. If they weren't, there would be no need to stop them from sending out a hygienists to patient shop as they have been found to do in other states.
I realize this is was last fall however the Kentucky Dental Board has not issued another newsletter at this time. They meet in Spring and Fall of each year.
It appears Hawaii is doing all it can to protect their citizens from Medicaid dental mills such as Small Smiles, Kool Smiles, Ocean Dental, and Western Dental.
Hawaii has a law in place that says “a dentist must own, maintain or operate an office for the practice of dentistry.” However the laws as they stand now do leave a “loop hole”, as in other states, that people like Michael DeRose of Small Smiles and Dr. Tran Pham of Kool Smiles seem to find a way to slither through.
Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell's HB 2301 bill to prohibit "interference in the practice of dentistry by an unlicensed person or entity" and prohibit "the practice of dentistry in a commercial or mercantile establishment"
Jeffrey Miyazawa, D.D.S., Chair of the Board of Dental Examiners opposes the bill, no big surprise there, but other dentists of Hawaii fully support it.
Dr. Miyazawa argues that passing this law would not give the board any power to enforce it, and I’m saying to myself, "why the hell not?"
Dr. Miyazawa also says “HRS 448-17(a)(12) provides for sanctioning "any other improper, unprofessional, or dishonorable conduct in the practice of dentistry.”
Provisions like this or something close is on the books in most all states, and it hasn’t done one thing to stop these Medicaid dental mills, slowed them down one bit, or even caused them to pause for a split second despite the hundreds and hundreds of complaints and reports.
Hawaii’s HB 2301 would amend HRS 448-A to include as follows:
(a) No person or entity without a license issued pursuant to this chapter shall direct or interfere with a licensed dentist's judgment and competent practice of dentistry.
(b) No dentist licensed pursuant to this chapter who engages in the practice of dentistry in any form, shall permit a person or entity, other than a dentist licensed pursuant to this chapter, to direct, participate in, or interfere with the licensee's practice of dentistry.
Section B above certainly would limit that quota and bonus system that the dental mills have established in other states now wouldn’t it?
HB 2301 would also add 448-B to read as follows:
No person licensed pursuant to this chapter shall engage in the practice of dentistry in a commercial or mercantile establishment, or advertise, either in person or through any commercial or mercantile establishment, that the person is a licensed practitioner and is practicing or will practice dentistry in a commercial or mercantile establishment.
This section shall not prohibit the rendering of professional services to the officers and employees of any person, firm, or corporation by a dentist, whether or not the compensation for the service is paid by the officers and employees, or by the employer, or jointly by all or any of them. For the purposes of this section, the term "commercial or mercantile establishment" means a business enterprise engaged in the selling of commodities or services unrelated to the practice of dentistry or other healing arts.
I think this is a great beginning to an end of the dental mills and I would suggest everyone who reads this and its language to get with their state law makers and get something like this or close to it passed in their respective states.
One thing that is not addressed in this bill is the use of papoose boards. I understand people think the Dental Board would regulate this since the ADA and the AAPD have "guidelines" however leaving things like this to "Boards" of dentists' own peers simply isn't working.
I’ve already started that quest in my state and I can’t urge my many loyal readers enough to do it in your own.
update 3-2010:
I've written to Rep. Caldwell, who at present is running for Mayor of Honolulu to see what happened to his bill.
I did find this:
HB 2301 HD1, Relating To Dentistry
Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell's bill to prohibit "interference in the practice of dentistry by an unlicensed person or entity" and prohibit "the practice of dentistry in a commercial or mercantile establishment" was characterized on the Floor by Rep. Gene Ward as "the anti-Wal Mart, anti-Big Box bill" who went on to say that it was a premature, misplaced constraint of trade. The bill passed, with Rep. Ward as the only no vote.
If you have had issues with the Kool Smiles in Terra Haute, IN clinic contact me at cckaddie@yahoo.com.
Here an ex-employee comment on that clinic:
I just want to say that the same treatment and experiences that have happened in Atlanta are somewhat identical to the office in Terre Haute, Indiana. The CTL isn't x-ray certified, along with the other dental staff are not x-ray certified.(So how can she train those who aren't?) Looks like someone didn't do their homework!! Deadlines for xray certifications is running out!!
The CTL was also caught rough handling a 3 yr child approx. 2 months ago in front of the parent, Office Manager and other dental staff, but nothing was done.The Office Manager loves to lie to HR. Their day will soon come!
Root Dental Management is part of the so called "new owner's/new management of Smile Starters" in North Carolina. There are current ads throughout the internet for dentists, assistants and other office personnel wanted for Smile Starters that is under this laughable "new owner's/new management" concept they (being the DeRose's) are trying to sell to the good citizens of North Carolina.
Here is the contact info for applying for a job with Smile Starters:
Roger Walters SmileStarters 2211 - E Executive Street Charlotte, NC 28208 704-395-6000 walters.rdm@gmail.com
Same physical Address as Root Dental Management and note the email address: rdm-Root Dental Management. I bet Roger Walters could tell some stories don't you guys?
Root Dental Management is owned by Ryan Root of Pueblo, Colorado. At the North Carolina Secretary of State's website if you search for Root Dental Management this is what you get:
Registered in North Carolina: 3/21/07 Formed in Delaware: 2/20/2007 President: Ryan P. Root Agent is: Ryan P. Root Registered Address is: 2211-E Executive St Charlotte NC 28208
Principal Office is: 2211-E Executive St Charlotte NC 28208
Principal Mailing Address is: PO Box 816 Pueblo CO 81002
For those of you who don't remember, Ryan Root and the exact same address is the contact for Michael A. DeRose, DDS, PA on the Health Care Reform Act List of Electors in New York State.
Rice Root Accounting in Pueblo is the old accounting firm for the DeRose's until they got big enough to need an in-house accountant. That's when Ryan slithered on over to work solely on DeRose stuff.
One person sticking up for Rafael Rivera, Jr. who is supposed to be the new "owner" of Smile Starters (whom I think was closely related to Raf, said on this very blog, Raf had worked for SmileStarters as far back as 2002 or there about.
If someone could get their hands on a copy of that "sale contract" with Dr. Rafael Rivera, Jr., Dr. Michael A. DeRose, and Tish Ballance (which would be the sale between Ballance DeRose, DDS, PA and Rafael Rivera, Jr. DDS, PLLC-formed 2/18/2008) you are going to find that Michael DeRose is a "consultant" of sorts and will be getting a hefty fee for his laughable and knowledgeable input!
And next year on Michael A DeRose's many tax returns there should be a fee listed from Rafael Rivera, Jr. DDS, PLLC dba Smile Starters or there is some very creative bookkeeping going on!
Of course it will probably be listed as pass thru income (yeah, passing through umpteen million) LLC, Corporations and PA before it lands on his and his wife's person tax return. But I guarantee it will be on there somewhere, just like a few other corporate dental organizations "consulting fees".
Here's another thought: It's customary when there is a sale of a company like this between two professionals (sorry...peed my pants laughing...when I typed the word professional) for there to be a "non compete" clause. Yet, here we have Tish Ballance already (even prior to the official signing of the documents) opening up Access West, another medicaid dental practice not far from Dr. Rivera's Smile Starters.
You know, when something stinks it stinks no matter how you twist and turn it, flip or flop it or try to hide it doesn't it?
I just returned from a 6 week assignment from a temporary agency to a small smiles clinic. (Assignment cut short because FORBA decided not to use doctors that were not credentialed with medicare) In any event, The biggest question I had was....Why mom or dad were not back here learning how to care for the children's teeth. Then I find they are not allowed back there. I was disgusted with the way the children were treated. I wouldn't take a dead snake to that place.
While my office is being built, I decided to make a little money in the interim. I happened to use a temp. service that put me in a small smiles clinic. I was informed by the lead dentist that this was the last place many of the patients could go for dental services, "that we had to do what was necessary to get the job done." This sort of tugged at my heart to see these kids with so much decay and infection. Out of the five doctors that where available, I had the most experience with respect to years practiced. Most were recent grads.
We probably averaged 20 -25% usage of the papoose. It was a screaming frenzy for those few patients that did get the papoose. I did inquire "why oral sedation was not used" and was told that it was not a covered event for the Medicaid patient. From a business view point, they make a lot of cash. Even with the new doctors, it gave me the impression that it is sort of like an uncontrolled residency and a quick way of bringing your skills up to par before entering the "outside world".
They train their own assistants for the most part, because of the high turnover rate. Compensation to them is minimal. They do get enticed with a monthly bonus. I was told that they average 16K production a day. From what I saw, they must do most of that in Hygiene. I do not know what Assistants can or can not do with respect to polishing in that state, but that is used a lot. They work the assistants to the ground and they frequently have 10 hour exhaustive days. One day we saw 137 patients.
I have mixed emotions at the present time. It is obvious that a great deal of money is being made utilizing the government handout of these funds. I was told that not all states pay as well as others and that is why they are not in some of the states.
Whether or not this is true I have not investigated. They have apx. 80 offices with goals of close to 100 or so by 2009. I am not opposed to anybody making a profit. If this truly is the last stop for many of the patients, than they are performing a needed service.
Overall, you have the most inexperienced team, working on probably the hardest portion of the population. It is going to attract media attention at any given opportunity. What is the answer to the problem at hand? I can not tell you. Once again, I am grateful I am able to refer out any pediatric case.
Perhaps, instead of going to Africa, or South America all the time, we doctors can just stay home and donate our time and talents to the local community. I know that is not as glamorous as the "out of country" trip, but it certainly would be just as beneficial. Sorry, I guess I rambled at bit too much.
