I find this hilarious!
Ok, kids, now is your chance to tell the world what happens to you behind those doors at Kool Smiles Dental and why they ever needed “quiet” hygiene rooms!
Kool Smiles Playlist:
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Virginia Dental Board to consider stricter medical emergency rules thanks to a petition by the Raven Marie Blanco Foundation
Raven Marie Blanco died during dental treatment on March 9, 2007. Since that time her family created a foundation that advocates much stricter guideline for medical emergency readiness. Virginia has no requirements other than basic CPR, but dentists regularly sedate children for dental treatment.
March 9, 2012 will be the 5 year anniversary of Raven’s death and on that day, the Virginia dental board will present the petition to its members to enlist comments for or against the petition.
The petition asks that the Six Links of Survival developed in 2003 by the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness become part of the license renewal process for Virginia dentists.
You can email the dental board your comments at:
denbd@dhp.virginia.gov
The Six Links to Survival are:
- Dentist's training
- Staff training
- Mock drills
- Maintaining a written emergency plan
- Stocking appropriate medications
- Maintaining appropriate equipment
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Dr. Arnel J.Gallanosa facing fraud charges in Indianapolis
Written by Bill McCleery
An Indianapolis dentist faces fraud charges stemming from an apparent scheme to perform unnecessary dental work in order to collect payment's from Indiana's Medicaid program.
In one case, for example, Arnel J. Gallanosa removed 33 teeth from three patients who were residents of Midtown St. George Residential Facility, said Brienne Delaney, spokeswoman for Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry.
The dentist also allegedly paid patients small kickback fees for agreeing to receive dental work.
"In an effort to garner more business for his dental practice," Delaney said in a release, "Dr. Gallanosa paid staff members and a 'runner' to recruit new patients who were eligible for Medicaid benefits. The patients would be offered five or ten dollars and 'free' dental work."
The Indiana Medicaid program reimbursed Gallanosa for the services, Delaney said, and patients would have no out-of-pocket costs.
The man hired as the runner for the three patients named in court documents previously pleaded guilty to felony prescription fraud in relation to this case. The runner, Darnell White, kept Vicodin pain pills that Gallanosa had prescribed to the three Midtown residents. He remains on probation, Delaney said, following his conviction.
"A licensed medical professional, such as a dentist, should inspire trust and respect," Curry said in a release. "It is thus particularly disturbing for a medical professional to abuse the trust of his patients and prey upon some of our most vulnerable citizens. We will vigorously prosecute any such fraud and abuse."
Working with police and prosecutors, the Indiana Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the fraudulent Medicaid claims and alleged abuse of the patients in the St. George institution, Delaney said.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
USDOJ: US Attorney's Office - Eastern District of Virginia
Alexandria Dentist Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud
January 10, 2012
ALEXANDRIA, Va. –Tuan Vu, 43, of Annandale, Va., pleaded guilty today to fraudulently billing insurance providers hundreds of thousands of dollars for dental services that he did not provide to his patients.
Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by United States District Judge Liam O’Grady.
Vu was charged today by criminal information with health care fraud, and he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on May 4, 2012.
In a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Vu admitted to committing health care fraud from at least January 2007 to September 2011. Vu is the owner of Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, PLLC, a dental practice located in Alexandria, Va. During the time of his health care fraud scheme, Vu consistently billed dental insurance providers for services that he did not provide his patients. As a result of Vu’s offense, at least 10 private insurance providers suffered more than $400,000 in losses. Dr. Vu’s conduct also resulted in a substantial loss to the federal government and the Commonwealth of Virginia, including $87,389 to the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and $180,048 to the Virginia Medicaid program.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Chad Golder is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.
Baker Victory Services Dental Center Fraud
Schneiderman Announces $325,000 Medicaid Fraud Settlement With Erie County Dental Clinic
By [WKBW News]
Story Updated: Jan 9, 2012
Buffalo, N.Y. (WKBW release) -- New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman on Monday announced that Baker Victory Health Services Dental of Lackawanna has paid the state $325,000 in restitution to resolve a Medicaid fraud case involving excess payments received on claims for dental services.
“The regulations for dental clinics are clear and so are the obligations on healthcare providers — if services are billed in violation of the rules for Medicaid reimbursements, the state is owed that money,” Schneiderman said in a news release. “My office is dedicated to recovering taxpayer dollars misspent through violations of the Medicaid program. Wasteful practices are a misuse of taxpayer dollars and abuses like this one will not be tolerated.”
An audit-investigation conducted by Attorney General Schneiderman's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit revealed that during the period of January 1, 2005 though December 31, 2009, Baker Victory allegedly submitted and received payments for dental clinic services for which Medicaid reimbursements were not authorized. The audit-investigation determined that in addition to performing unnecessary procedures, the clinic allegedly performed procedures that should have been done in one visit over multiple visits, resulting in additional fraudulent reimbursements.
Medicaid regulations authorize reimbursements only for teeth cleanings performed every six months, barring medical necessity. In some cases, Baker Victory patients were allegedly receiving cleanings every three to four months without such medical necessity at the taxpayers’ expense. In other cases – in violation of Medicaid regulations that required Baker Victory to perform and bill for cleanings, X-rays, and dental exams in one office visit – the Center allegedly performed such procedures over separate visits, thereby enabling it to collect more money from the Medicaid program.
Baker Victory Services, meanwhile, issued its own news release Monday. It reads:
On Monday, January 9, 2012, the New York Attorney General released news of a settlement between the State and the Baker Victory Services Dental Center. Baker Victory Services has paid $325,000 as a result of a Medicaid Audit which reviewed a random sampling of patient documentation between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009. However, Baker Victory Services denies being involved with any intentional misrepresentations or fraudulent activities.
The Baker Victory Services Dental Center is an area expert in providing dental care to individuals with physical, developmental and behavioral disabilities. A number of the agency's patients have profound mental retardation, cerebral palsy, genetic abnormalities, autism, seizure disorders and other disabling conditions. Individuals with profound disabilities are unable to care for their own dental hygiene, and it is extremely difficult for caregivers to attend to routine brushing and flossing. As a result, this population is at high risk for dental infection and severe health conditions caused by neglected or insufficient dental care.
James Casion, CEO of Baker Victory Services, explains the need for more frequent dental visits for a disabled individual. "Day-to-day dental hygiene is impossible for a profoundly disabled individual to attend to and challenging for caregivers, therefore, in many cases, the individual benefits greatly from having four routine dental cleanings annually as compared to two. It is far more comfortable and cost effective for a disabled individual to receive more frequent preventative care than to be possibly subjected to the trauma and expense of emergency hospital visits. This practice is allowed by the State Department of Health, which encourages this treatment plan as long as it is properly documented."
The Medicaid audit claimed that Baker Victory Services did not appropriately document the medical necessity for a number of cases. "Because an individual's developmental disability does not change from visit to visit, we acknowledge that we did not thoroughly document the medical necessity of quarterly appointments at every visit," Casion explained further. "Since the time of the audit, BVS has enhanced its documentation procedure to demonstrate the medical need each time a patient is seen."
The audit also claimed BVS provided services over two visits that could have been provided in one. "Once again, this practice is for the comfort of a patient with profound developmental disabilities," Casion stated. "A dental visit that involves sitting in a dental treatment chair, or wheelchair, with one's mouth open for an extended period, typically causes anxiety for a disabled individual. The objective is to lessen this discomfort by spreading out the treatment over two visits."
By [WKBW News]
Story Updated: Jan 9, 2012
Buffalo, N.Y. (WKBW release) -- New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman on Monday announced that Baker Victory Health Services Dental of Lackawanna has paid the state $325,000 in restitution to resolve a Medicaid fraud case involving excess payments received on claims for dental services.
“The regulations for dental clinics are clear and so are the obligations on healthcare providers — if services are billed in violation of the rules for Medicaid reimbursements, the state is owed that money,” Schneiderman said in a news release. “My office is dedicated to recovering taxpayer dollars misspent through violations of the Medicaid program. Wasteful practices are a misuse of taxpayer dollars and abuses like this one will not be tolerated.”
An audit-investigation conducted by Attorney General Schneiderman's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit revealed that during the period of January 1, 2005 though December 31, 2009, Baker Victory allegedly submitted and received payments for dental clinic services for which Medicaid reimbursements were not authorized. The audit-investigation determined that in addition to performing unnecessary procedures, the clinic allegedly performed procedures that should have been done in one visit over multiple visits, resulting in additional fraudulent reimbursements.
Medicaid regulations authorize reimbursements only for teeth cleanings performed every six months, barring medical necessity. In some cases, Baker Victory patients were allegedly receiving cleanings every three to four months without such medical necessity at the taxpayers’ expense. In other cases – in violation of Medicaid regulations that required Baker Victory to perform and bill for cleanings, X-rays, and dental exams in one office visit – the Center allegedly performed such procedures over separate visits, thereby enabling it to collect more money from the Medicaid program.
Baker Victory Services, meanwhile, issued its own news release Monday. It reads:
On Monday, January 9, 2012, the New York Attorney General released news of a settlement between the State and the Baker Victory Services Dental Center. Baker Victory Services has paid $325,000 as a result of a Medicaid Audit which reviewed a random sampling of patient documentation between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009. However, Baker Victory Services denies being involved with any intentional misrepresentations or fraudulent activities.
The Baker Victory Services Dental Center is an area expert in providing dental care to individuals with physical, developmental and behavioral disabilities. A number of the agency's patients have profound mental retardation, cerebral palsy, genetic abnormalities, autism, seizure disorders and other disabling conditions. Individuals with profound disabilities are unable to care for their own dental hygiene, and it is extremely difficult for caregivers to attend to routine brushing and flossing. As a result, this population is at high risk for dental infection and severe health conditions caused by neglected or insufficient dental care.
James Casion, CEO of Baker Victory Services, explains the need for more frequent dental visits for a disabled individual. "Day-to-day dental hygiene is impossible for a profoundly disabled individual to attend to and challenging for caregivers, therefore, in many cases, the individual benefits greatly from having four routine dental cleanings annually as compared to two. It is far more comfortable and cost effective for a disabled individual to receive more frequent preventative care than to be possibly subjected to the trauma and expense of emergency hospital visits. This practice is allowed by the State Department of Health, which encourages this treatment plan as long as it is properly documented."
The Medicaid audit claimed that Baker Victory Services did not appropriately document the medical necessity for a number of cases. "Because an individual's developmental disability does not change from visit to visit, we acknowledge that we did not thoroughly document the medical necessity of quarterly appointments at every visit," Casion explained further. "Since the time of the audit, BVS has enhanced its documentation procedure to demonstrate the medical need each time a patient is seen."
The audit also claimed BVS provided services over two visits that could have been provided in one. "Once again, this practice is for the comfort of a patient with profound developmental disabilities," Casion stated. "A dental visit that involves sitting in a dental treatment chair, or wheelchair, with one's mouth open for an extended period, typically causes anxiety for a disabled individual. The objective is to lessen this discomfort by spreading out the treatment over two visits."
Dr. Anthony David DiNozzi threatens FBI
Ex-Youngwood dentist held in threats 01/10/2012 3:00 AM By Paul Peirce, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
A former Youngwood dentist is slated to appear in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh today after federal agents raided his home late Friday after he allegedly threatened to kill an FBI agent.
Anthony David DiNozzi, 44, who lives with his parents at 714 Kennedy Way, is charged with threatening to kill FBI Special Agent Gregory A. Heeb.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed yesterday, Special Agent Jeffery H. Tisak alleges that DiNozzi telephoned Heeb at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the FBI office in Pittsburgh and left a death threat on his office telephone answering machine.
″Hey, this is DiNozzi. How you doing, buddy?″ DiNozzi stated in the recording, Tisak said.
Tisak alleges that DiNozzi then swore at Heeb and DiNozzi then claimed that numerous FBI agents across the country were listening because ″I'm a witness for Eric Holder.″
″You call me again, I'll have you killed. In defense, do you understand that, you freak?″ DiNozzi allegedly said.
DiNozzi then continued a profanity-laced tirade against Heeb. He also is accused of telephoning Chief U.S. Judge Robert S. Lasnik in Seattle and federal agents there, demanding they prosecute Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Agents subsequently traced the call to DiNozzi's residence.
DiNozzi had his dentistry license suspended in Pennsylvania in 2001, according to state records, and moved his practice to Ohio, where he was convicted in Newark, Ohio, in 2007 for Medicaid fraud.
According to the affidavit filed by Tisak, Heeb and DiNozzi encountered each other during an incident on Feb. 17, 2011, at Pittsburgh International Airport, where airport security flagged DiNozzi as ″a suspicious person″ and DiNozzi subsequently identified himself as a federal agent. Ultimately, no criminal charges were filed in that incident.
Court documents state that about a month after the airport incident, Heeb received a telephone voice message from a person claiming to be a bailiff for a federal judge in Seattle and recommending that the agent telephone Lasnik over an ongoing case. Federal court officials in Seattle subsequently identified DiNozzi as the caller and alleged the suspended dentist had repeatedly called Lasnik in Seattle.
The FBI interviewed DiNozzi in response to those calls, but no criminal charges were filed.
″After the interview, DiNozzi's calls to the court and the Seattle field office stopped″ until Thursday's telephone call to Heeb.
DiNozzi remains in federal custody in the Allegheny County Jail.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
A former Youngwood dentist is slated to appear in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh today after federal agents raided his home late Friday after he allegedly threatened to kill an FBI agent.
Anthony David DiNozzi, 44, who lives with his parents at 714 Kennedy Way, is charged with threatening to kill FBI Special Agent Gregory A. Heeb.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed yesterday, Special Agent Jeffery H. Tisak alleges that DiNozzi telephoned Heeb at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the FBI office in Pittsburgh and left a death threat on his office telephone answering machine.
″Hey, this is DiNozzi. How you doing, buddy?″ DiNozzi stated in the recording, Tisak said.
Tisak alleges that DiNozzi then swore at Heeb and DiNozzi then claimed that numerous FBI agents across the country were listening because ″I'm a witness for Eric Holder.″
″You call me again, I'll have you killed. In defense, do you understand that, you freak?″ DiNozzi allegedly said.
DiNozzi then continued a profanity-laced tirade against Heeb. He also is accused of telephoning Chief U.S. Judge Robert S. Lasnik in Seattle and federal agents there, demanding they prosecute Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Agents subsequently traced the call to DiNozzi's residence.
DiNozzi had his dentistry license suspended in Pennsylvania in 2001, according to state records, and moved his practice to Ohio, where he was convicted in Newark, Ohio, in 2007 for Medicaid fraud.
According to the affidavit filed by Tisak, Heeb and DiNozzi encountered each other during an incident on Feb. 17, 2011, at Pittsburgh International Airport, where airport security flagged DiNozzi as ″a suspicious person″ and DiNozzi subsequently identified himself as a federal agent. Ultimately, no criminal charges were filed in that incident.
Court documents state that about a month after the airport incident, Heeb received a telephone voice message from a person claiming to be a bailiff for a federal judge in Seattle and recommending that the agent telephone Lasnik over an ongoing case. Federal court officials in Seattle subsequently identified DiNozzi as the caller and alleged the suspended dentist had repeatedly called Lasnik in Seattle.
The FBI interviewed DiNozzi in response to those calls, but no criminal charges were filed.
″After the interview, DiNozzi's calls to the court and the Seattle field office stopped″ until Thursday's telephone call to Heeb.
DiNozzi remains in federal custody in the Allegheny County Jail.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Visit to Nashville Small Smiles Headquaters
Visited Small Smiles headquarters in Nashville recently. (618 Church Street) Just checking things out , seeing what happening, that sort of thing. I decided to take a picture of the building directory while on my way to the ground floor restrooms.
There is a lot of action in this old historic building for some reason. Groups of people being lead here and there. I could have sworn I saw Mike Lindley get off the elevator.
I will say the folks rambling around the place do a lot of chatting, especially getting on and off the elevators. Also sounds carry great in the building and the walls in the ground floor restroom carry sound very well.
I thought I heard a group of ladies chatting about several "centers" closing. The number I thought I heard was 20, but that could have been twenty places closing that had nothing to do with Small Smiles Dental centers, who knows.
There is a lot of action in this old historic building for some reason. Groups of people being lead here and there. I could have sworn I saw Mike Lindley get off the elevator.
I will say the folks rambling around the place do a lot of chatting, especially getting on and off the elevators. Also sounds carry great in the building and the walls in the ground floor restroom carry sound very well.
I thought I heard a group of ladies chatting about several "centers" closing. The number I thought I heard was 20, but that could have been twenty places closing that had nothing to do with Small Smiles Dental centers, who knows.
Friday, January 06, 2012
Is this the beginning of the end for Small Smiles Dental Centers?
In the past three weeks I’ve seen more people with resume’s posted online over at indeed.com who list Small Smiles as their current or former employer.
[you can search resume’s. Not sure listing them as a former employer is a plus, personally, I would reconsider]
What is that saying?
Well, it tells me clinics are closing, being sold off-piece mill, massive layoffs are happening, or it’s very possible it could be all of the above.
Toledo closed the week before Christmas. One of the Oklahoma City centers closed a few months ago. I heard this week the Lead dentist (fake owner) in Phoenix, Dr. Karen Chu, enjoyed her final day last Friday, December 30,2011.
Add in the CEO and President, Michael G. Lindley and Al J. Smith, being fired along with at least one regional manager; it sounds like things are rocky, to say the least, at Church Street Health Management and their string of Small Smiles dental clinics.
This is pure speculation but the Carlyle Group could be purchasing a larger piece of the Small Smiles brand pie. Can you say “bailout”?
What I’m confused about is just how they can “sell” clinics they claim they do not own. After all, they claim individual dentists “own” the clinics and CSHM simply “manages” them. [liar, liar pants on fire] I’m suspecting if these clinics are ever sold, the IRS will have a field day!! In fact, I’m shocked the IRS hasn’t already had fun trying to figure out how Dr. William Nash came to own all these clinics in the first place and then he supposedly sold them to other individual dentists. He still remained as either president or secretary of all the various entities that have been created.
If I’m not mistaken one “owner” dentist claimed under oath, and penalty of perjury, they purchased their three clinics directly from Dr. Nash. However, under oath, they weren’t sure when they purchased them or just how much they paid for them. Bahahahah!
There is no doubt Arcapita Bank has experienced buyers remorse from day one. There are literally hundreds of legal claims and lawsuits against Church Street Health Management, their Small Smiles Dental Centers and various employees, and many more on the horizon.
This is just a guess, but they have probably wanted to cut the tongue out of the attorney who told them this illegal operation was legit in the first place. Since this person was irresponsible at the least and guilty of malpractice at the most.
In light of everything, any one would be foolish to buy any of these centers or this company as a whole.
I would also me very worried if Church Street Health Management or any of their individual Small Smiles Dental Centers owed me money. Personally, I’d me headed to 618 Church Street in Nashville, Tennessee and asking for a cashiers check immediately!
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Small Smiles dentist Karen Chu, DMD blogs.
Yep, blogging of all things. Not just one blog, but two of them.
Karen Chu, DMD Blog
Phoenix Small Smiles Blog
On one of her blogs, Dr. Chu gives the public a fun “how to ” tip to help parent prepare children for their first dentist visit, to her I suppose. (you’ll see what I mean)
She recommends story time saying:
“Much of the fear and upset young children experience on those 1st appointments come from having no "frame of reference" for the strange environment, strange people and even stranger actions happening to and around them.”
To further assist she’s taken the time (a lot it appears) to put together a little slideshow/visual aid to help parents spin a fun,yet accurate, fairy tale. It’s absolutely delightful, you’ll see.
Toddlers Dental Visit Story Karen Chu Dmd
View more presentations from karenchudmd
Dr. Chu’s profile says she believes every child should have a beautiful smile. I 
Being that Dr. Chu is an “owner dentist” she must be quite loyal to the corporate heads, they only allow those they can truly trust or blackmail to be “owner dentists” I think. She was one of their top producers in 2010 that’s for sure. However, she is not indispensible, her last day was Friday December 28, 2011! Whoop Whoop!!
(it’s likely when I post this, the blogs will disappear within minutes, but not to worry, I have the nice slideshow presentation backed up if necessary)
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
One dentist’s view on the ADA
Posted by Frenchpotato
The reason they can take advantage of you is simply because there are too many dentists, and a lot more are coming down the pike.
The ADA does not care. The ADA has really disappointed me. ADA automatically gives all these new schools provisional accreditation.
I hope I live long enough to see dental schools start closing as they did in the 1980's. Maybe I will live long enough to see people wake up and stop joining the ADA.
BTW, when I was being encouraged to join the ADA, other dentists would say, if you do not join and you are ever sued, the opposing attorney will say, "she is not even a member of the ADA."
Seriously, I would like to hear ONE good reason to be a member of the ADA.