Promoting a fellow crusader
- Target: ALL CONSUMERS INVESTING IN DENTAL SERVICES AND PRODUCTS
- Sponsored by: KEN PHILLIPS-AMERICAN CITIZEN
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tina’s Bill Proposal
Ohio Dentist Sentenced in Medicaid Fraud Case
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced Thursday that Dr. Jeffrey Glenn, of Cincinnati, has been sentenced to five years of community control and ordered to pay restitution of $225,000, after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated theft, a third-degree felony.
An Ohio Department of Job and Family Services review of Glenn's billing indicated an unusual pattern. That triggered an investigation within the Ohio Attorney General's Health Care Fraud Unit.
Investigators interviewed Glenn and employees of his office, Bond Hill Dental Center, sifted through almost 3,000 patient records obtained through a search warrant, interviewed dentists that subsequently treated Glenn's former patients and interviewed Glenn's patients. The results indicate that over the course of four years, beginning in 2006, Glenn repeatedly billed Medicaid for dental work that was not done.
$50,000 in restitution was paid on Thursday. The balance, $175,000, is due within five years.
The money will be repaid to ODJFS and four of Ohio's Medicaid managed care organizations that were also falsely billed.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Straight Smiles - Another illegal dental clinic owned and operated by Church Street Health Management opens in Worcester, MA
I hope the folks at “Straight Smiles” are paying real close attention to the Medicaid Orthodontics scams being exposed in Texas, since I’m sure that is exactly what this is as well, if not worse.
[honestly I can hardly even say “straight smiles” since I immediately think of “straight face” and how they keep one I’ll never know]
In the article below the “Lead Orthodontist” said about the patient she was examining:
“ Zulanihs had a loose tooth and small signs of a posterior cross bite. Although she was not ready for braces, interceptive treatment would widen the upper arch of her palette”
(her licenses say she is a “general dentist, searching the Dentaquest site for MA Orthodontists, there is only 2 in a 30 mile radius, and she is NOT one of them)
[she means a palatal expander as seen here and here ]
“If this wasn’t found or not acted upon, it could result in trauma as well as recession of her lower anterior teeth.”
[trauma! really? well dang good thing the child got in there in time to prevent such a trauma]
It really means we found something, ever so tiny and insignificant but I think I found something so we can bill the taxpayers of Massachusetts.
Is it legal? Well, of course not. However I asked a dear friend, a dentist, living in Massachusetts about having to be a “real” orthodontist and advertising as a “specialty” when you are NOT a specialist? Here is their reply:
As for the ortho question, you are going to just love my unclear and muddled answer! In the wacky state of Massachusetts, general dentists can do ortho, provided that they can "perform to the same standards" as specialists. (If that truly is the case, then why would any Orthodontist spend the extra 2-3 years in residency?)
In medicine, that is almost like your ear/nose/throat guy deciding he'll take a swing at open heart surgery.
The regulations, as far as I'm aware mostly have prohibitions against advertising to the public as a specialist. This pretty much falls in line with the ADA position. Hope this helps.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Texas - WFAA TV–State takes action after Byron Harris expose'
by BYRON HARRIS
Bio | Email
WFAA
Posted on June 19, 2011 at 9:51 PM
Updated yesterday at 4:17 PMNews 8 Investigates
From the air, it looks like there's a shark in swimming pool of the 13,000-square-foot mansion in Frisco. Turns out the shark is only painted on the bottom, complementing the water slide, next to the tennis court, which gives the place the look of a resort.It all belongs to owner of Smiley Dental Clinics, which last year collected at least $1.9 million in Medicaid orthodontics (MO) fees, according to state records.
While the shark in the dentist's pool may be an illusion, it's not imaginary that Texas dentists have been swimming in a sea of Medicaid money over the last three years.
I think Small Smiles Dental Centers and Church Street Health Management is on the verge of more sanctions
Before I get into this, let me say the following is not even close to being based on anything other than my observations. Maybe that sounds a bit odd to admit. But according to the covey of “artful dodgers” at Small Smiles Dental Centers and Church Street Management, everything on this blog has no basis and is pure hogwash. So I don’t know why they visit here forty ‘leven times a day.
However, I’m smelling something happening at 618 Church Street, Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve heard “chatter” CSHM is reviewing their “breach” of the Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) signed in January 2010 with the Office of Inspector General.
1. I’m told they are scurrying to gauge exactly how far from the truth the reports sent to the OIG, as required by the CIA, with their actual patient/parent complaints from the third party call center, employee exit interviews, employee complaints via the “hotline” and Daily Patient Logs, that reveal the actual overtreatment still taking place on a daily, patient by patient basis.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Where is Dr. Thien Chi Pham, Kool Smiles founder, now?
I was told some time ago, when Dr. Pham left Kool Smiles he landed in Arizona, guess that report was correct.
Molar Magic Orthodontics LLC
1864 E Florence Blvd
Ste 1
Casa Grande, AZ 85222
Phone: (520) 876-5200
Fax: (480) 393-0926
Super Pages
Carecredit
Facebook
According to Molar Magic’s facebook page, they opened in August 2009.
Must be a Medicaid clinic, at least it’s not a mill, but never forget he was trained by Dr. Eddie DeRose,
“Molar Magic is a comprehensive general dentistry and orthodontic for children and young adults ages 1-20. At Molar Magic we believe oral health care can and should be fun, comfortable, and easy. Stop in anytime for a tour! Let us work our magic!”
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Dental Group Practice Association (DGPA)– Supporting the corporate practice of dentistry where executives get rich, dentists get the shaft and patient care is not even considered.
Dental Group Practice Association (DGPA)“a non-profit industry organization representing Dental Service Organizations (DSOs).”
Collectively, practices serviced by DGPA members have:-1,500+ dental practice locations in 46 states
-3,200+ affiliated/owner dentists
-5 million patient visits
-Projected revenue of more than $5 billion by 2015
So is this “group” going to be the “World Organization” to oversee all facets of dental care at a corporate dental clinic near you? I hear they meet, and basically divvy up the country and decide who can take over where and set prices, as well as put the pressure on the insurance companies to had them the cash. Of course they will give you some shitty dental treatment in the midst of it all, but that is NOT the goal.
Appears they are tight with the American Student Dental Association by sponsoring many of their events. Also the Student National Dental Association. Gosh wonder why that is?
You must read on and learn about this bunch.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
ATTN: Former Kool Smiles Dental, Ocean Dental, Dental Dreams employees
I would really like to hear from any of you. Please contact me at cckaddie@yahoo.com
Is “Patient Advocate” Angela Newberry out of a job at Small Smiles Dental Centers?
Here is a listing for a job opening at Church Street Health Management dated June 17, 2011. Pity the poor fool who takes this job! YIKES! I hope any applicant takes time to read the Corporate Integrity Agreement this company has signed with the Department of Justice and Inspector General’s Office. Read it carefully! Smell the jail?
Duties include:
Reporting to the SVP, Chief Compliance Officer, the selected individual will be responsible for recording, remedying, and responding to comments, concerns and complaints by patients of CSHM Associated Dental Practices. The Patient Advocate is also charged with ensuring that patients and, for minor patients, patients' parents and/or legal guardians are informed of CSHM's commitment to quality care and provided with contact information for submitting complaints. The Patient Advocate will report to the Chief Compliance Officer. The Patient Advocate will also be a key member of the Compliance Department and a member of CSHM's Compliance Committee.
Angela has been the topic of conversation of late at CSHM due to her prior association with Universal Health Services (UHS) and it’s string of “youth education” treatment centers. UHS has complaints out the wazoo about the abuses that goes on behind the doors to pre-teens and young adults.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Standard still being lowered when it comes to dental anesthesia
My point in sharing these links is to point out that even though kids are dying from teeth extractions performed by DDS and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons... standards are being lowered still !
States where dental hygienists may administer locals
http://www.adha.org/governmental_affairs/downloads/localanesthesiamap.pdf
States where dental hygienists can administer nitrous
http://www.adha.org/governmental_affairs/downloads/Nitrousmap.pdf
Dental Hygiene Practice Act Overview:
Permitted Functions and Supervision Levels by State
http://www.adha.org/governmental_affairs/downloads/fiftyone.pdf
Comparison of Tasks: Dental Therapist vs Advanced Dental Therapist
http://www.dentalboard.state.mn.us/Default.aspx?tabid=1165
The principles, competencies, and curriculum for educating dental therapists
(American Assoc of Public Health Dentistry Panel)
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1752-7325.2011.00263.x/full