Friday, August 13, 2010
Kool Smiles South Side Of Tuscon Tries To Stop Mom From Accompaning Children To No Avail
Friday, August 13, 2010
I should've known at "Kool".
I should've known. When I chose a kids' dentist office whose very name is misspelled (albeit on purpose, in an attempt at being clever I suppose) Kool Smiles. I should've known. When I chose a dentist that was sandwiched between a carniceria and a check cashing/loan shark business. I should've known. When I chose a kids' dentist who strangely decided that rap and an unusual (not in a good way) hybrid of Mariachi and Tejano music would be a nice mix for their patients (who are 10 and under). I should've known. When I chose a dentist that close to the Air Force base. The South side of Tucson is in some ways similar to the South side of Chicago, except that it has better Mexican food and fewer crooked politicians. I should've known. When we go inside and the really great jungle gym, slide, rock climbing, play area thingy appears to have been dipped into a Rotavirus/H1N1 cocktail, followed by a layer of melted popsicle and then topped off by a light coating of dirt and granulated sugar. Yuck. I should've known. When they call the 3 and 4 year-old patients to come back and insist that I wait in the lobby. A part of me thought, "You're crazy if you think I'm going to let my 3 and 4 year-old go back there by themselves. That will be mayhem for them AND you." The other part of me (the more sarcastic one that lives her life with tongue-in-cheek) thought, "You're crazy if you think I'm NOT going to let my 3 and 4 year-old go back by themselves. That will be mayhem for them AND you. Good luck with that..." In the end, the sensible me won (in addition to being sarcastic, the other one tends to throw in the towel way too soon in my opinion) and I did accompany the girls back. However, this was not before they insisted that I NOT accompany them, but rather peer through a two-way "interrogation mirror" while they were being seen. I should've known. When I chose a dentist for my children that uses two-way mirrors....
I will be returning to our previous dentist who sports the lime green Easy Tone Reeboks and Lily the lovely hygienist who was born to work with kids. There is no playland and the music is unremarkable, but I don't feel like I need a shower when I leave. I will however, be returning to that carniceria for their specials on chorizo and queso fresca.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
FORBA Small Smiles - Public Health Hazard? Yes, I sure think so, what about you
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
National Union Fire Insurance Company Files Suit Number Two in Tennessee
In short, NUFI says FORBA failed to disclose the fraud investigation by the DOJ, HHS and several state Attorney Generals. Nor did FORBA disclose that American Insurance, the insurance company that previously had them covered, cancelled their coverage due to "claims experience".
This took place through an insurance broker-Affinity Insurance d/b/a Dentist's Advantage. Affinity secured the policies for FORBA/Small Smiles in the beginning.
Then Affinity told FORBA American Insurance was not renewing their policies due to "claims experience" At that point FORBA asked Affinity to get them other insurance. Affinity was an "authorized dealer" so to speak for NUFI. So, Affinity secured insurance for FORBA, selling them a NUFI policy. (Affinity knew why FORBA had their insurance canceled, didn't they?)
Affinity wrote the insurance policies in August 2009 and onward they marched, according to the Complaint.
Then, came the investigations results and a multi million dollar settlement with the government. As well, a Corporate Integrity Agreement with Health and Human Services was made.
When FORBA Holding/Small Smiles Holding (New FORBA) filed suit against "Old FORBA" (The DeRose-Padula-Roump Bunch) crying foul, saying didn't know how bad Old FORBA really was, they ended up spilling the beans on how much they really knew and when they really knew it. Being Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves, it's hard to keep all the deception in order.
The Complaint against Old FORBA revealed facts that made it clear, the information New FORBA gave NUFI was, at worse, fraudulent and certainly misleading. (surprise surprise)
Basically NUFI is saying they didn't know what dirty rotten scoundrels New FORBA really was either. Just as New FORBA claimed against Old FORBA. In the suit New FORBA v Old FORBA, New FORBA admitting knowing in late 2007 they were being investigated.
Wouldn't it be funny if I had evidence NUFI knew or should have known all about the various investigations. Let's just say for example website visitor logs. Not saying I do, just saying it would be funny.
New FORBA filed suit against Old FORBA for the same reasons NUFI is filing suit against New FORBA. Pot, meet Kettle.
NUFI is asking the court to rescind the last two years of liability insurance coverage they had on New FORBA and all of its employees. Basically they are wanting to not have to pay up on any claims that will arise for the period 8-2008 through 9-26-2010.
Just as New FORBA is wanting to rewrite dentists employment contracts - in case the courts do not rescind and make void the NUFI insurance policies, they want the court to rewrite the policies on what is/was covered would be minimized.
Wonder if FORBA is looking for new insurance?
Good luck with that.
Click here to read the complaint.
The Policies/Exhibits are here;
No. 1 ; No. 2 ; No. 3 ; No. 4
Lawsuits Against Kool Smiles Filed In Kentucky
One is Taylor vs. Kool Smiles in Lexington, this on is on file with the courts.
The second on was referred to in an online news papers:
Jerrisha Coomer v Kool Smiles, see it listed here. This one I've not located just yet and found no other mention to it other than in the online paper.
If anyone has info, please email me with the info.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
South Texas Dental -Dr. Kapadia
by BYRON HARRIS
WFAA
Posted on August 10, 2010 at 9:10 PM
Updated Thursday, Aug 12 at 2:02 PM
NEWS 8 INVESTIGATES - South Texas Dental
Taking your child to the dentist can always be tricky. But what if you think a dentist is going do one thing to your child but then he does a lot more?
And what if your son comes out of the office black-and-blue and crying?
Hundreds of times a day, all across Texas, moms and dads take their kids into South Texas Dental to have their teeth worked on. It's a major corporation, employing dozens of dentists in four cities.
The company's long-term success indicates it is providing a valuable service.
But not for Nichole Villareal of Keller, who took her son to a South Texas Dental office in Fort Worth.
Anthony Martinez was left with a welt on his face.
"When I found out this was all done without my consent, and that he was in pain and he was hurt and he was bruised, I was furious," Villareal said. "I knew it was wrong because I work in a medical office, and I know."
The Fort Worth location of South Texas Dental is part of a chain of 23 clinics statewide. The company aims its practice at children.
Nichole Villareal took her son Anthony there because her husband was changing jobs. His company insurance hadn't kicked in yet, and she had to use a dentist who would accept CHIPS state insurance.
Anthony's previous dentist, Dr. Bridget McAnthony, said he did need treatment.
"When I saw him, he only had one cavity. It was on the outside surface of his tooth," McAnthony said.
T
Villareal signed a consent form for that work to be done. When she took Anthony in, the dentist would not permit her to be in the room with her son.
When he came out? "It looks like he got punched in the jaw," Villareal said. "He has a bruise on the outside of his face that wasn't even supposed to be done."
Anthony said he was held down in the chair. It turns out that four of his teeth had been drilled.
Villareal said that work was done without her consent.
"And they didn't numb Anthony for the bottom procedure, so two fillings were done on the bottom and he wasn't numbed," she said.
When Villareal went back to complain, the dentist wrote Anthony a prescription for pain medication.
Dr. Kapadia did not respond to three phone calls from News 8 seeking comment.
His notes indicate Anthony was "very uncooperative" in the chair. The child's mom took him back to Dr. McAnthony to examine his mouth.
"It looks like they might have put some kind of intra-oral device in, and maybe they mashed down with their thumb on the inside to bruise him," McAnthony said. "It would have to be something that went from the inside to the outside, because he was bruised on the outside, too."
After we got no response from the dentist at the South Texas Dental office, we called Dr. Chad Park, who supervises three clinics in Fort Worth for the company. He said he is still investigating the matter.
The Texas Administrative Code says a dentist should maintain a consent form signed by a patient, or in the case of a minor, a form signed by his parent.
Villareal said no parent would give a dentist consent to do what was done to her son.
Friday, August 06, 2010
DeRose Buddy Could Be Lt. Governor of Colorado
National Union Fire Insurance files suit against Small Smiles Holding in Tennessee District Court Friday Aug 6, 2010
Oh, and in case you did not know, as I didn't, there was a suit filed against FORBA Holding, who is wholly owned by Small Smiles Holding in Oklahoma on June 7, 2010 - Hernandez v FORBA (CJ-2010-1632)
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Inlaws of Small Smiles Regional Director, Jason Owen, Issues Threat?
Brandon <chiefgabbard@optonline.net> (unregistered) wrote:you are such a loser! since you don't have the balls to take on the government, who runs the medicaid program, you attack private citizens and blast their personal info on the internet. If your problem is with the dentistry, that is one thing. But to blather on pointlessly, about a man doing his job is absurd! If you think these kids are treated "unfairly" get used to it, it's called Obamacare and we all HAVE to have it, as far as I know, no one is ordering you under IRS penalty to take your kids here. It's just like any other government program, best service at the cheapest price. What next, are you going to bitch about no Swiss or Gouda Government Cheese and how the farmers are to blame? I appreciate you are trying to make things better, but picking on the underlings is cheap and petty, call Washington, call your politician, talk to them about your demands, but infiltrating someone's personal life to show what a dirt-bag you can be is very unbecoming.It won't be so cool when maybe someone who doens't agree with you or your beliefs, finds your info and shows up on your front porch one dark dreary night to discuss their disapproval of your life choices. Do unto others... Karma's a BITCH! [
IP address: 24.189.127.31
Link to comment: http://disq.us/jleyx
I'm guessing Jason will be called on the carpet tomorrow...
That Karma thing is something I'm counting on. Hook 'em and Cook 'em.
Update:
From: Disqus Date: 08/06/10 15:57:26 To: DebHgn@aol.com Subject: [dentistthemenace] Re: Inlaws of Small Smiles Regional Director, Jason Owen, Issues Threat? |
One thing for sure, the author what's this to be seen so that is what I've done. If they wanted it private and didn't want everyone to see it, they would have sent an email.
Just call me, Karma.
I want to say here it was apparent that Jason and Debby wanted anyone in the world to read their lovely family blog. Everyone, but me that is...
Let this be a warning to all. Not everyone likes you!
Kool Smiles Employee Warns Of Orange Jumpsuits; Wants Parents
Abileen Texas
Former Kool Smiles Employee
This dental clinic runs a very disorganized child factory. They truly only care to see "NEW" kids ages 4 and up that are well behaved as this is the age group that makes them the most revenue.
If your child is scheduled for a six mo cleaning expect to be rescheduled multiple times. Where is the continuance and quality of care? They rarely follow proper protocols on First Dental Home exams provided by the Medicaid program for babies age 6 mo to 36 mo.
The billing fraud that occurs throughout this company should be grounds for imprisonment or at the very least a through investigation by the OIG. I would high discourage anyone from taking their children to Kool Smiles, and find another employer unless you look good in orange jumpsuits. Not a good company to work for or take your precious kids to.