Saturday, December 04, 2010

30 Year Old Describes Trauma From Being Papoosed At 3

Meridith L.
Posted 05/15/2010

As a person who had a root canal done on a papoose board as a 3 year old, please do not have major dental work done on your child without general anesthesia or conscious sedation.  At 30 years old, I still have nightmares about the experience and have to be sedated for even the most routine work.  At 3 years old, I couldn't tell the dentist that the numbing medications were not working and that I could feel every second of the root canal.  They dismissed my crying as fear and not true pain.

Find a dentist and an anesthesiologist who you love and trust and who will let you be there with your child so that it is calm, peaceful, and a good-as-the-dentist-can-be experience for your child.

Bad, painful, and scary experiences now can lead to a lifetime of fear, trauma, and distress, but good experiences can lead to a healthy smile, good oral hygiene, and improved overall health.

 

To read for yourself click here

Friday, December 03, 2010

New Fool On The Block In Youngstown, OH Small Smiles Clinic

Looks like we have another change of faux ownership for the Youngstown, Ohio clinic.  Yes, it’s true!  I know, amazing, right?  This is the clinic who had the idiot dentist fall asleep during a procedure.

I know, I know, he says he was dozing while the assistant was doing something, but that assistant says that is a total lie!  I believe the assistant.

The latest foolish dentist to add his name to the Secretary of State’s LLC documents as “owner” of this clinic is….

drum roll please….

Dr. Michael Crites! 

Dr. Michael Crites should know better by now, he’s been there for just over two years.  Maybe being “owner” is his reenlistment bonus.  If so, it is NO bonus!  It’s more like putting your head in the guillotine. 

However, Dr. Crites is no stranger to the Ohio dental board.  There are 16 pages of “actions” against him.  That explains why he fits right in at Small Smiles of Youngstown. 

I find it hard to believe (no I don’t) that he has credentials with any state or and especially any company that manages Ohio’s Medicaid Dental Program.  Geez!

History of this clinic

First registered as an LLC in Ohio February 2007, Joseph Bower the authorized representative, (Agent).  Name- Small Smiles of Youngstown, LLC –Kenneth E. Knott, DDS and Robert F. Andrus, DDS.

Knott and Andrus were “fired” because Kallene West (also let go) was taking their CE’s for them.  However FORBA didn’t have a problem with Kallene taking the CE’s for Dr. Bridgett Merritt-Brooks.  Dr. Bridget is still working her little fingers to the bone in South Bend.  In my opinion Dr. Bridgett is practicing without a licenses in Indiana…but heck, who am I to judge right?  More on this a bit later. 

Back to Youngstown:

Apparently Dr. Michael Crites can’t wait to be added to the next lawsuit.

Summary:
February 2007
- Small Smiles of Youngstown, LLC- Dr. Robert E. Knott and Dr. Kenneth Andrus.

September 2007- Trade Name - Small Smiles Dental Clinic of Youngstown

September 17 2008- Small Smiles of Youngtown, LLC- Jodi Kuhn, DDS and Patricia Nicklas, DDS.

February 4, 2010 - Small Smiles of Youngtown, LLC – Jodi Kuhn and Olivia Croom, DDS

October 4 2010 - Small Smiles of Youngtown, LLC-Michael Crites, DDS

Where are those documents of the sale of this clinic?
Someone needs to send out the “Prove It” letter to Dr. Michael Crites.

Anyone, Bueller, Ohio Dental Board?

Monday, November 29, 2010

Seven Years After First Reports–Dr. Tish Ballance Appears To Still Be Raping Medicaid System in North Carolina

WCNC TV-Stuart Watson's January 2010 report
Link to report

It has been seven years after Stuart Watson first reported on Doctors Tish Balance and Michael DeRose and their chain of dental clinics in North Carolina abusing children for financial gain.  It has been two and a half years since Tish and Meatball Mike settled with the government for $10 million dollars, yet Dr. Tish appears to still be doing her best to rape the medicaid system and abuse children doing it.
Who in North Carolina is NOT doing their job and protecting the children??  Who in North Carolina is turning a blind eye to Tish Ballance stealing your/our tax dollars? 
That is what is happening.  It has been reported right here for three years.  I know the agencies visit this blog.  I'm waiting on an answer.
What is the reason Dr. Tish Ballance is still allowed to steal money from us?  Why is she not been put on the "Exclusion" list; barred from participating in the Medicaid programs?   Meatball Mike finally made it, but not until 2009 and millions and millions of dollars later.
(of course we know there are ways around that little inconvenience don't we)
Here is a warning I received today from a parent:
I live in Hickory, NC.  I had heard about Tish Ballance on the news getting in trouble for Medicaid fraud, but did not remember her name. My son is 6. He went recently for a cleaning to a different dentist and they found a cavity. While I was waiting for his appointment, they did a free screening at his school which also detected a single cavity. When it came time to be filled, our dentist wanted to refer him to another dentist 30 miles away. i decided to find a local dentist that took Medicaid. i found Carolina West Dentist in Conover near my home. I took him there to Tish Ballance's new clinic for children with Medicaid. Just 2 weeks after 2 dentists had diagnosed him with a single cavity, she said he needed caps on 3 molars in addition to the cavity. That's when I checked into her office and found out she had been in trouble before. Beware of this office!!!

Related:
December 2009 Report on Dr. Tish and her horror house

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Devore v. Keystone Education and Youth Services, LLC $9.5 Million settlement–January 2011

From UHS Annual Report
Devore, et. al. v. Keystone Education and Youth Services, LLC:
Alicante School (Keystone School Carmichael)  in California was acquired by a subsidiary of ours in October, 2005. Prior to our acquisition, two former employees of the facility filed a false claim act qui tam action and a gender discrimination/whistleblower claim in Sacramento County Superior Court. The plaintiffs allege that the Alicante School improperly billed subdivisions of the state of California based upon services provided at the school and that the plaintiffs were discriminated against based upon their gender and as a result of their objection to these practices. In June, 2008, we entered into an agreement with the former owners of the facility whereby they agreed to defend the case, indemnify us and hold us harmless for any damages that may result from this case. The former owners of the facility had been funding the legal defense of this case since that time. Recently, the court approved the agreed upon $9.5 million settlement of this matter which we paid to the plaintiffs in January, 2011. Since we have made a demand on the former owners of the facility for repayment, and intend to pursue collection of the $9.5 million pursuant to the June, 2008 indemnification agreement (although we can provide no assurance that we will collect the entire $9.5 million), the settlement amount and related receivable is reflected in other current assets and other accrued liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010.
October 2005 8-K
Universal Health Services (UHS)
Below are the companies and the facilities UHS purchased from Harbinger Private Equity Fund I, L.L.C., Keystone Group Kids, Inc., Michael Lindley (“Lindley”), Marty Weber, Ameris Healthcare Investments, LLC, Rainer Twiford, Al Smith (“Smith”), Mike White, Rodney Cawood (“Cawood”), Buddy Turner, Jeff Cross, Gail Debiec, Brad Gardner, Brad Williams, Don Wert, Rob Minor, Mike McCulla, Jim Shaheen, Rod Gaeta

Keystone Nevada, LLC
Keystone Memphis, LLC
Keystone Education Transportation, LLC
Elmira NPS, LLC
Alicante School Elk Grove, LLC
Keystone Savannah, LLC
Keystone Newport News, LLC
Keystone Marion, LLC
Keystone WSNC, L.L.C.
Keystone Oklahoma City, LLC
CCS/Altacare of Arkansas, Inc.
Chad Youth Enhancement Center, Inc.
CCS/Bay County, Inc.
CCS/Meadow Pines, Inc.
Ventures Healthcare of Gainesville, Inc.
CCS/Little Rock, Inc.
CCS/Rivendell of Kentucky, Inc.
CCS/Lansing, Inc.
Associated Child Care Educational Services, Inc.
American Clinical Schools, Inc.
Alabama Clinical Schools, Inc.
Pennsylvania Clinical Schools, Inc.
Tennessee Clinical Schools, Inc.
Keystone NPS, LLC
Keystone Continuum, LLC
Keystone Detention, LLC
Keystone Richland Center, LLC
Keystone DJJ, LLC
Keystone Charlotte, LLC
Keystone JJAEP, LLC
 
Here are the facilities that each the above companies owned, subsequently now UHS purchases.

Alabama Clinical Schools
AL
Tennessee Valley Juvenile Detention Center
AL
Tuscaloosa Juvenile Detention Center
AL
Bristol Youth Academy
FL
Jacksonville Youth Center
FL
The H.O.P.E. Program
FL
Nueces County Juvenile Justice
TX
Cedar Grove
TN
Chad Youth Enhancement Center
TN
Cherokee Park Youth Center
TN
Compass Intervention Center
TN
Hermitage Hall
TN
McDowell Center for Children
TN
Natchez Trace Youth Academy
TN
Upper East Tennessee
TN
Old Vineyard Youth Services
NC
The Keys of the Carolinas
NC
Keystone Newport News Youth Center
VA
Marion Youth Center
VA
Pennsylvania Clinical Schools
PA
Children’s Comprehensive Services of Ohio
OH
Turning Point Youth Center
MI
Highlander Children’s Services
CA
Keystone Carmichael (Alicante School)
CA
Keystone Desert Hot Springs
CA
Keystone Elmira
CA
Keystone Grand Terrace
CA
Keystone Hemet
CA
Keystone Highlander
CA
Keystone Laguna
CA
Keystone Mar Vista
CA
Keystone Ramona
CA
Keystone Rancho Cucamonga
CA
Keystone Riverside
CA
Keystone Steele Canyon
CA
Keystone Vallejo
CA
Keystone Van Nuys
CA
Keystone Victorville
CA
Keystone Ventura
CA




















































































Monday, November 15, 2010

Is Your Dental Office Prepared For Disaster?

 

Will another parent going home today without their child? 

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

“Prove It” Letter of Inquiry For Use By State Dental Boards

In an attempt to assist state dental boards I have taken the lead of the Kansas Board of Dentistry and created a form letter.  This letter is available for download and can be customized as needed.

You can download the free “Prove It” document by clicking here.

If any boards need assistance in who should receive these letters, please email me, I would be more than happy to provide that information if available.

You are most welcome,

Debbie Hagan

PS. You may also copy and paste from this blog post:

 

Here is a form letter designed to assist state dental boards with investigations of corporate owned dental clinics operating under the disguised of being dentist owned clinics. Such as Aspen, Kool Smiles, Small Smiles, Dental Dreams, etc. It can be customized to fit your needs.

[State dental board letter head]

Dear Dr. [dentist name here]

The Dental Board requests [dentist’s name inserted here] provide a written response explaining how your association with [corporation name i.e. FORBA] corporation is not creating a violation of the dental practices act of the state of [enter name of state], specifically, [enter state practice act number and section forbidding or limiting corporate dentistry].

In the written response, we respectively request you provide all of the following:

1.  A copy of your purchase agreement or ownership documents of the clinic.

2.  An employee handbook.

3.  A copy of advertisements published to hire dentists or other employees.

4.  If a PC or LLC provide a list of all member with % of ownership interests. Include address and all contact information for the members and a full copy of your “Operating Agreement”.

5.  An Operating Agreement or Contract between yourself and [enter the name of the corporation in question] showing the services they provide and the cost to your practice.

6.  Attach your personal and business FEDERAL, STATE and LOCAL income tax returns with attachments, including Schedule C with W-2’s or 1099’s.  If you are a PA, PC PLLC or LLC include returns for you personally and for the business entity.

7.  Attach five payment reimbursement forms from Medicaid and five from insurance companies.

8.  Attach copies of promissory notes or loan agreements with amortization schedule used.

9.  Attach a copy of the last 6 bank account statements for the business.

10. Attach a copy of your last three Federal 941 forms and copies of checks included with Federal form 941. Include copies of checks if you made periodic payroll deposits. Include copies of the last three 941-V vouchers, if any.

11. Attach copies of your last three Federal 940 FUTA forms and copies of checks showing payments made.

12. Include copies of checks showing all of the following payments:

· Building and/or Equipment loan or leases

· Employee payroll

· Utilities

· Liability Insurance

· Malpractice Insurance and Workman’s Comp Insurance

· Insurance on building and/or equipment

13.  Do you own the fixtures and equipment?  ___ Yes  ___No

        If “No” state from whom it is leased: 

        Business Name:________________________

        Contact Person: ________________________

        Address:_______________________________

        Telephone:_____________________________

If “Yes” include copies of checks showing local/state personal property tax.

14. Do you own the building? _____Yes ____No

       If “No” state from whom it is leased:

       Business Name:_________________________

       Contact Person”_________________________

       Address:_______________________________

       Telephone:_____________________________

15.  List dates of employment, names and contact information of all dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants employed by the clinic.

16. Provide a copy of your EIN application.

17.  If you own or operate more than one clinic, provide the legal name and dba name of each clinics, as well as its physical location include ALL states.

Please add the following statement, sign and date:

“I attest the above to be a true and accurate statement including all attachments”

Provide the above information within ten(10) days from the receipt of this letter.

Sincerely,

[Signature of Investigator]

New Medicaid Services Director for Kentucky and State Auditor Report on Passport Health Not Good

Kentucky looking for new Medicaid Services Director 

Maybe I should apply!

In other news:

A 200 plus page report,  Kentucky State Auditor Crit Luallen calls for much stricter oversight and accountability for Passport Health Plan, the managed care company overseeing 164,000 people in Louisville and surrounding counties.  Luallen reports had not referred the findings to any law enforcement agencies, I ask, why not?

The report found:

  •   VP being a partner in a Passport contractor
  •   One Executive's salary raising 33% in a two year period
  •   Execs spent almost $230,000 on travel, staying at high-end hotels, used limos and huge dinner bills.
  •   Lobbying expenses
Passport CEO Larry Cook, said the report was misleading, they rented a sedan from the limo service, not the limo because the taxi drivers were on strike in two of the cases.

Passport receives $793 million in state and federal taxpayer funds last year.

Terminology To Sell It To The Kids and Parents

Stainless Steel Crowns – Hats for teeth

Papoose Board – Blanket

Pulpotomy – Medicine for the tooth

Guaze – Band-aide

Blood – Heme

Shots – Sleepy juice

Needles – Needs

X-ray – Taking pictures

Fluoride – Vitamins

Tylok Dental Cement– Glue

Etch – Soap

Small Suction – Mr. Thirsty

Large Suction – Vacuum

Curing Light – Tooth Dryer

Extraction – To wiggle out the tooth

High Speed Drill – Mr. Whistler

Slow Speed Drill – Mr. Bumpy

Bite Block – Pillow for sleepy teeth

Amalgam – Silver stars

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

American Securities Backing Out Of Kool Smiles Purchase?

It appears American Securities has seen the light!  Maybe they had a "come to Jesus moment".  Whatever the case, its reported to me Kool Smiles will not be sold, not right now anyway!
Knowing the lawsuits coming down the pipe is believed to have had a great influence in this decision.  Huge argument on whether it's "pike or pipe", but none the less, it's coming.
I would also assume the fact most of these clinics are  illegal operations in most states might have some influence as well.
I can see the headlines now:
“American Securities Buy Illegal Dental Clinics for $700 Million Dollars” or “Dental Clinics-Operating Illegally-Sold for $700 Million; Top Executives Say It Was a Great Deal”
along side
Couple Has Crack House For Sale, includes falsified licenses, and all other bogus documents, insurance is transferable.  Asking price, average of last 5 years revenue.”
However, we can’t dismiss the Early Termination Request granted from the FTC on October 29, 2010, between American Securities Partners V Limited Partnership, Friedman, Fleischer and Lowe Capital Partners Limited Partnership and Kool Smiles Holding Corporation.
FTCEarlyTermKoolSmilesOct-2010
Huge argument on whether it's "pike or pipe", but none the less, it's coming.
I guess we will just have to wait and see if Kool Smiles can be marked “Sold”.  If it is, I am sure it should be marked “Sold As Is” and “All Sales Final”.