Look Out Kansas–Say It Ain't So

 

Update March 16, 2011:

HB 2241 was introduced February 9, 2011.    Originally, the Kansas Board of Dentistry and the Kansas Dental Association rejected the idea of open the boarders for Corporate Dentistry.  Between February 9th and 24th deals were made, the bill was amended and passed with a vote of 120 to 1.  My hat goes off to the person who had the guts to vote no.  Read about the deal here.

On February 24, 2011 the bill was sent to the Senate for consideration and referred to the Kansas Senate Public Health and Welfare committee. Here is the report from the Kansas Health Institute.

This bill is NOT good for the citizens of Kansas for reason stated below.  The amendments to the bill do nothing to stop the corporate legal games that are played to hide the real owners of these chains/franchises. 

So far the Kansas Dental Board has done NOTHING to protect the citizens of Kansas from the abuses and fraud perpetrated by the Small Smiles clinics the board allowed to open up shop a few years ago.

KWCH Part 1 report on Small Smiles Dental Centers
KWCH Part 2 report on Small Smiles Dental Centers

See the Youtube Channel featuring 40+reports from across the country on chain dentistry who profess to treat the underserved. 

Related Article:

Kansas about to open gates of hell
Kansas Dental Board asking fake owner to prove it ( the board took no action!)

Follow the bill here

Contact Senate Committee Member immediately and ask them to vote NO to Kansas HB 2241.
Chair Sen. Vicki Schmidt - Vicki.Schmidt@senate.ks.gov

Vice Chair Sen. Pete Brungardt - Pete.Brungardt@senate.ks.gov

Ranking Minority Member Sen. Laura Kelly - Laura.Kelly@senate.ks.gov

Members

Sen. David Haley - David.Haley@senate.ks.gov
Sen. Terrie Huntington - Terrie.Huntington@senate.ks.gov
Sen. Dick Kelsey - :Dick.Kelsey@senate.ks.gov
Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook - :Mary.PilcherCook@senate.ks.gov
Sen. Roger Reitz - Roger.Reitz@senate.ks.gov
Sen. Chris Steineger - Chris.Steineger@senate.ks.gov

 

 

December 20, 2010
A report from Kansas on the issue of Corporate Dentistry by Dave Ranny along with my commentary in black.

By Dave Ranney
Monday, December 20, 2010

Corporate dentistry debate looming

Law prohibiting dental franchises will likely be challenged this session

Dave Hamel, one of three dentists in Marysville, examines a patient’s teeth. Hamel, who’s also president of the Kansas Dental Association, defended state laws that prohibit corporations from owning dental clinic. “I think a dentist ought to be able to look at a patient and say ‘What can I do for you? How can I be accountable for your care?’ I don’t know that you get that with corporate dentistry,” he said. Also pictured: dental assistant Courtney Luedders and patient Amanda Foley.

TOPEKA — Under Kansas law, only a licensed dentist can own and operate a dental clinic.  A corporation cannot. It’s illegal.

It’s been that way for as long as most dentists can remember.

“The law protects the public,” said Kansas Dental Board Executive Director Betty Wright. “It puts patient care ahead corporate profits.”

This blogger is applauding Betty Wright, Kansas Dental Board Executive Director.  The law absolutely protects citizens.
When a corporation is involved, dentists, hygienist, office managers and other corporate staff have to answer to shareholders and investors.  When this happens, your dentist is failing in his fiduciary duty to have "your" best interest in mind.  He/She is worrying about the report they are going to have to fill out at the end of the day and what will result when the production numbers are too low. 

Some legislators aren’t so sure that allowing corporate clinics that are owned and operated by Kansas dentists would diminish the quality of care that patients received. During a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Health Policy Oversight, several members noted that so-called franchise clinics tend to accept more Medicaid patients.

Kansas Dental Board Executive Director Betty Wright testifies during a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Health Policy Oversight. She defended current state laws restricting corporate-owned dental practices. “The law protects the public,” she said. “It puts patient care ahead of corporate profits.”

Many people who contribute, read and follow this blog could have told the Kansas Joint Committee on Health and Policy Oversight things that would give them nightmares for years to come.

A recent Kansas Department of Health and Environment survey (PDF) found that less than one-third of the traditional dentist-owned clinics in the state see Medicaid patients.

“I think it’s pretty clear that we’ll be talking about this next year,” said Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, referring to the 2011 legislative session, which convenes Jan. 10.

Lobbying effort underway

Earlier this year, Comfort Dental, a Colorado-based company, sought the Kansas Dental Board’s permission to open dentist-owned franchises in Kansas. The request was denied.
Kansas law, Wright said, specifically forbids “...the franchise practice of dentistry.”

Company officials were taken aback by the ruling.
“They practically slammed the door in our face,” said Lawless Barrientos, a spokesman for Comfort Dental.

Lawless Barrientos, a spokesman for Comfort Dental, listens to testimony during a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Health Policy Oversight. The Colorado-based company has asked legislators to consider dropping laws that prohibit dentists from entering franchise agreements.

“A lot of states don’t allow corporate dentistry – that’s not unusual,” he said. “But as far as we can tell, Kansas is the only state in the nation that prohibits dentist-owned franchises, which is what we are.”

Mr. Barrientos is not being completely truthful here.  He is referring to the fact they find a "good ole boy" dentist to put his name on the Corporate papers filed with the Secretary of State Office.  Just like FORBA Small Smiles does currently.  

The law, Barrientos said, stifles competition.
“Everybody keeps talking about how health care costs keep going up and about how dental care is too expensive,” he said. “The way to fix that is competition, to make dentists compete, to make them find ways to bring down their costs, to let the free market work.”

This is one case "competition" does NOT keep costs down.  It only allows another corporation to siphon off more Medicaid dollars to line their coffers.  Where is will go to build mulit-million dollars homes for themselves; maybe even their very own football stadium as in the case of the DeRose family, also of Colorado.

Comfort Dental has almost 80 franchise practices, involving 286 “partner dentists,” in seven states: Missouri, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Kentucky and Ohio.
Typically, Barrientos said, Comfort Dental franchises are owned by two to five dentists.

The company has hired Federico Consulting, a Topeka-based lobbying firm headed by John Federico, to oversee its campaign to convince Kansas lawmakers to repeal the prohibition on dental franchises.

A corporation who hires a lobbying firm to help them buy their way into the state tells me the piggy bank is appealing and they want a huge piece of it.  It also tells me these clinics are NOT owned by dentists. 
A group of dentists who get together, form a legitimate corporation and hang out their shingle have no need for a lobbying firm to begin to treat patients. 

It’s about accountability
The Kansas Dental Association is expected to oppose efforts to repeal the restriction blocking franchise practices.

“At this point, there isn’t a specific proposal so it’s difficult to say whether we’re for it or against it,” said KDA Executive Director Kevin Robertson. “But, yes, we have a lot of concerns about corporate dentistry.

“Our position is that the person who owns a practice or a clinic ought to be person who’s in contact with the patient,” Robertson said. “That person, that dentist, should not be having his or her arm twisted by some middle man who’s main concern is meeting their quota for the month.

“That,” he said, “can result in abuse and fraud, quite frankly.”

The nine-member Kansas Dental Board – six dentists, two dental hygienists, one lay representative – shares the association’s concerns.
“Once the dentist becomes simply an employee or an absentee owner, the office tends to focus on maximizing profits rather than on maximizing care for the patient.” Wright said.

Kansas law allows a clinic to have more than one owner, but each owner has to be a dentist. A dentist or a group of dentists can own more than one office, but each owner is required “...to be present in the office a majority of the time the office is operating.”

Nor should they be distracted by the thrill of this month's bonus check.  There is no patient anywhere who wants their medical professional to be thinking about bonuses and meeting treatment goals set by some corporation.  The patients treatment will not be based on the needs and well being of the patient, it will be based on goals, quotas and bonuses.   It's not that it could open the door for fraud and patient abuse, it's that it does.  See the video above for a real good look at it, up close and personal.

Dave Hamel is one of three dentists in Marysville. He owns his own dental practice and is serving a stint as president of the state dental association....

...Like the association he represents, Hamel has strong concerns about corporate dentistry.

“I think a dentist ought to be able to look at a patient and say ‘What can I do for you?  How can I be accountable for your care?’ I don’t know that you get that with corporate dentistry,” Hamel said.

“People want that accountability. All of us, I think, have had the experience of calling an insurance company or a government office and not being able to find anyone who’s accountable.

“We don’t have that in Kansas (dentistry) now, which I see as a strength,” he said.

One exception already OK’d

In 2005, the Kansas Dental Board agreed to allow FORBA Holdings, a management company based in Nashville, Tenn., to market its services to dentists in Kansas.

Subsequently, three dentist-owned clinics entered enter contracts with FORBA to help them manage their practices. They are:
• Topeka Dental Clinic, Topeka;
• Indian Springs Dental Clinic, Kansas City;
• Small Smiles Dental Clinic, Wichita

In 2005 FORBA Holding was FORBA, LLC and owned 100% by 5 individuals from Pueblo, Colorado; , Dr. Eddie DeRose, Dr. Michael A. DeRose, Dr. Adolph R. Padula and Dr. William Mueller and Dan DeRose. 

The Colorado Dental Board among others let these individuals run wild within the state until the state finally had to pass laws trying to limit the amount of abuse they inflicted on children, but not before one child died in one of their clinics in Arizona. 
Dr. Michael DeRose finally had his licenses revoked and locked out of the Medicaid system, but not until 2009.  Dr. William Mueller was locked out in March 2010.  The Colorado Dental Board let Dr. Eddie DeRose "retire" his licenses.   However, their tentacles and spawns reach far and wide and still live very nicely from your tax dollars.  See:
Small Smiles Scam
Spotlight on Small Smiles 


Dr. Michael DeRose and another partner, Dr. Trish Ballance opened clinics in North Carolina.  They were investigated for mistreating children and performing up to 18 baby root canals in one sitting on several children.  Dr. Michael DeRose never lived in North Carolina, let alone treated any children there, he just "owned" the corporate clinics and pushed for "production".  They settled with the government for $10 million in April 2008.
Are they still involved in the clinics in North Carolina?  Yes.  They just put it in the name of a loyal employee, Dr. Raf Rivera.  If corporate dental clinics are allowed to invade your state, it will literally take an act of congress to get them out. 

Nationally, FORBA-run clinics are marketed as Small Smiles Centers. But in Kansas, the restrictions on corporate ownership prohibit the three clinics from marketing themselves as part a chain, consequently only one of the three calls itself Small Smiles.

In November 2007, ABC News reported several parents in Washington, D.C., accused a local Small Smiles clinic of mistreating their children.

Months later, The Wichita Eagle and KWCH TV Channel 12 ran similar stories on the Small Smiles clinic in Wichita. (Watch the 3-part video series on Small Smiles in Wichita).

In January 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that FORBA had agreed to pay $24 million to “resolve allegations” that it had billed Medicaid for “medically unnecessary dental services.” FORBA agreed to alter its billing practices.

Kansas’ share of that settlement was $517,959.60.
Earlier this month, Brad Smoot, a Topeka attorney who represents FORBA, assured members of the Joint Committee on Health Policy Oversight that the accusations of impropriety involved FORBA clinics “on the East Coast” and were unrelated to the three in Kansas.

If Mr. Smoot does not know that he is making a false statement, he should know.  If all of this only involved those clinics on the East Coast, why did Kansas get a cut of the pie?  Mr. Smooth used to be in the Kansas Attorney General's office.

“FORBA did not admit wrongdoing,” he said.
Smoot, who also lobbies on behalf of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, said the FORBA clinics in Kansas were in full compliance with state law.

“Each of these clinics is owned by dentists who work there,” he said. “They are independent of each other – the dentist owns the building, the equipment...everything.

Here is where I almost puked.  These dentists do not own one item in the building, let alone the buildings themselves. 
Does Mr. Smoot actually believe Dr. Tom Corcoran owns this whole shopping center in Topeka?
Click on topekadentalclinic.com, it will take you right to Small Smiles with a map to all of the other dental clinics they own. 
What about the Wichita clinic?  No, Dr. Mohammad Reza Akbar does not own it either.                                                             You can look for yourself if you like, click here.
Here is a link showing a campaign donation from Pueblo, Colorado in the name of dentist, Dr. Mohammad Akbar to Kansas State Representative, Bob Bethell campaign in 2006 in the name of Small Smiles of Wichita Health Care.  In Dr. Mohammad Reza Akbar's NPI record, it asks if this is a "Sole Proprietorship " his answer is NO!
 
Mr. Smooth, you really should take time to know what you are talking about before going before a government body.  Please do not let Todd Cruse give you his line of crap and you believe him.  I have personally caught him in three lies this month alone.  He just did not know I knew the answer to my questions before I asked them.  Clearly he has not had children.  If you have children, you must always know the answer prior to asking.
What about the Indian Springs clinic?  Well, if I were to pull up Dr. Blacknall's NPI information it would look just like Dr. Akbar's.
But here is Indian Springs NPI record:

It is not that hard to debunk the "ownership" issue with FORBA's clinics in most states.

"They also have management contracts (with FORBA).”
Smoot said that approximately 95 percent of the patients treated at the clinics are on Medicaid.

Not exactly, Mr. Smoot.  The dentists have "Employment" contracts with FORBA."  But you almost had it right.  Close but no cigar.

“These are exactly the people, the critically underserved population, you’re hoping will be served,” he said.
Barrientos, the spokesman for Comfort Dental, said the same would be true of his company’s franchise clinics if they were allowed to operate in Kansas.

I do not think Mr. Lawless Barrientos was wise to say "the same would be true of his company's franchise clinics".

“We are one of the largest Medicaid providers in Colorado,” Barrientos said. “Forty percent of our patients are either underinsured or uninsured. They come to us because we’re 40 to 60 percent cheaper than what other dentists’ charge.”

Distinction without a difference

Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, a member of the health oversight committee, challenged Smoot’s assessment, saying he didn’t see much difference between a dentist signing a management agreement with FORBA and a franchise agreement with Comfort Dental.

There is none.

“It sounds to me like you’ve created an exception that makes the (no-franchise) rule unnecessary,” he said, referring to the Smoot-crafted agreement with the Kansas Dental Board.

“This, for all practical purposes, is what a corporate practice would look like,” said Ward, who’s also an attorney.

After the FORBA settlement was announced, the Kansas Dental Board, Wright said, decided to take a second look at whether the management contracts comply with state law. The investigation, she said, is ongoing. She declined further comment.

This is where the "Prove It" letter come in to play. Dr. Tom Corcoran was sent a form to fill out and he had 10 days to do it.  If that form was filled out honestly and was back in the hands of the board by the deadline, I’m not sure what else there is to investigate.  After the quote from Rep. Ward, I’m afraid they are working on another “deal”.   I hate being cynical, but after watching these people for over 3 years now, I can’t control it.  Surely the board is not trying to protect FORBA/Small Smiles/Church Street Medical Management’s playground?  No, that can’t be it, or the board would not have sent the “prove it” letter.  But there are always those dog and pony shows.  I’m giving the Dental Board the benefit of the doubt on this one though. 

The board rejected Comfort Dental’s request after it started its re-examination of the management contracts.

Dave Sanford runs one of the state’s largest safety-net clinic, GraceMed Health Clinic in Wichita. He, too, has concerns about corporate dentistry.

But he said the Kansas Dental Board may find it difficult to justify allowing the FORBA clinics while disallowing Comfort Dental.

Don't.  Kick the FORBA owned clinics to the curb as well.

“At some point, there needs to be an evaluation of the quality of care that a corporate model would produce and how it would compare to the model we have now,” Sanford said. “I don’t know that we know that.”

It won't take five minutes to evaluate the "quality of care" delivered by any of these dental mills.  Google.
photos by Dave Ranny

Testimony: Betty White for Kansas Dental Board

Download .PDF

Testimony: Lawless Barrientos for Comfort Dental

Download .PDF http://media.khi.org/news/documents/2010/12/20/corp-dentistry-cd.pdf

Here is how you can contact Rep. Brenda Landwehr and Rep. Jim Ward:

Legislative Hotline: 800-432-3924 (Jan.-April)

Rep. Brenda Landwehr: Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee

2837 N. Edwards
Wichita, KS  67204-4646

Pho

ne: 316-821-9800

E-mail: blandweh@ink.org
Capital Office for Rep. Landwehr:
Room: 151-S
Phone: 785-296-7683
Email: brenda.landwehr@house.ks.gov
Rep. Jim Ward
3100 E. Clark
Wichita 67211
Phone: 316-683-3609
Email: jwardks88@gmail.com
Capital Office for Rep. Ward:
Room: 359-W
Phone: 785-296-7675
Email: jim.ward@house.ks.gov
Kansas Dental Association
5200 SW Huntoon
Topeka, KS  66604
Telephone (785) 272-7360
Fax (785) 272-2301
Kansas Dental Board
E-mail: info@dental.state.ks.us
Call: (785) 296-6400
Kansas Health Institute
212 SW Eighth Ave., Suite 300
Topeka, KS 66603-3936
785-233-5443


Related:
Kansas Dental Board Asking Dr. Corcoran To Prove He Owns Small Smiles Clinic

Kansas About to Open Gates of Hell with HB 2241

 

Update March 16, 2011

HB 2241 is before the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee – Tabled until Thursday March 17, 2011.  Originally, the Kansas Dental Board and the Kansas Dental Association objected, however deals were cut and it passed the house. 
Contact the following to express your concerns and stop the opening of the doors for abusive dental mills from entering Kansas:

 

Chair - Sen. Vicki Schmidt

Vice Chair - Sen. Pete Brungardt

Ranking Minority Member - Sen. Laura Kelly

Members
Sen. David Haley
Sen. Terrie Huntington
Sen. Dick Kelsey
Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook
Sen. Roger Reitz
Sen. Chris Steineger

 

 

February 15, 2011

Kansas Health Institute reports on Kansas HB 2241 and it opening the doors to Corporate Dentistry.  Not that Corporate Dentistry is not already there in the form of torture chamber and child abusing clinics, called Small Smiles, but now it wouldn't be with special top secret deals with the dental board giving a wink and a nod.

 

Kansas lawmakers are not doing their due diligence and allowing themselves to be feed a line of bull.  Request to check some corporate records before you decide to allow these dental mills in your door.  I urge Kansas lawmakers request current and former employees of these dental mills to testify.  They will tell you like it is, not what they want you to know.

 

Kansas HB 2241 is opening the door to the devil.

 

The dental board sent out "prove it" letters to pretend owners of the Small Smiles there, and the answers to those questions were NOT answered to show the clinics were owned by individual dentists. 

 

That didn't matter, in fact that was used to prove corporate dentistry was already there and thriving inside the state boarders, now welcome to corporate dentistry hell.

 

Here is the rolling on the floor laughing my ass off portion:

Independent decisions
Testifying Tuesday, a dental board spokesperson said that the board had concerns with HB 2241 but could support it given two, last-minute revisions by the Kansas Dental Association and with assurance that dentists working for Comfort Dental or a similar chain would be able to make independent clinical decisions.

Has Kansas missed all the KWCH reports on Small Smiles?  No, of course not.  They will go ahead, let this happen to the people of Kansas and plead, we didn't know when sloppy dental care is delivered to the citizens. The Kansas Dental Association knows, the Kansas Dental Board knows, the only ones who don't are the ones who will be ripped off, and received care based on production numbers, and not quality of care.  Everyone one of these mills operate on "production" not "quality of care".  It's production, folks.  They don't use the words care, only production! 

 

 

 

Here is a report from a person who used to work at the Topeka Kansas Small Smiles, we shall call her Emily:

As a former employee of a dental clinic managed by Forba, I can honestly say that I'm not surprised by this article. As sad as that may sound, I was witnessed upspeakable acts by the dentist and dental assistants that I worked with/for. I've witnessed a Dr. hit/punch a mentally handicapped patient. I've witnessed another Dr.
tackle a 3 year old girl to the floor, all of which Forba knew happened. I tried to report these and the countless other incidents that I witnessed, but nobody at Forba took me seriously. I left there over a year ago and can say that I sleep just a little better at night knowing that I don't have to get up to go to work for these terrible people.
I'm deeply sorry to the Kingery family. Forba is nothing but a money hungary company that only cares about production. I would NEVER recommend taking your children there. If you have to, make sure that you go back with them and are present for everything that happens. It is your right as a parent to go back with your child, it
is your right/duty to ask questions. If you see something that doesn't look right, question it!

 

When asked by committee members whether the franchise’s business model would result in more dental service in rural and underserved areas, he said that’s where the types of patients Comfort Dental seeks tend to be.

Of course they will bring dental care to low income areas of Kansas, defrauding the taxpayers is what lines their pockets.  I suppose Kansas lawmakers are somehow brainwashed into thinking any care beats no care at all.  I beg to differ!

Obama, Clinton, King of Bahrain and Church Street Health Management

It was reported that President Obama called the King of Bahrain for a little chat over the opposition and requesting that he not to bomb the Bahrainian people.  Then I heard a lot of political pundits talking about how the President really couldn't force Bahrain or Saudi Arabia to not bomb their own people (those two have ganged up with each other to stomp out the people of Bahrain who want a better government).


I heard Secretary of State Clinton doing her usual babble where she just used a string of words that really don't say anything...  you know what I mean.

I just couldn't help myself, I stood up and began to yell at the TV.

"Yes, you can!!  Tell the King you will freeze those Wisconsin bank accounts and no more money will be funneled out of our Medicaid system to your pockets via Church Street Health Management!"

"Plus, we will stop letting all of your crappy dentists come over here and treat the illegal immigrant children or the children in our poorest neighborhoods.  I will give those jobs to our own dentists graduating from college, do you hear me!" 

"Tell the King even though this nice little setup was working to fund terrorist with American's own money was working, I hold the keys to that pot of gold!"

Yes, that's what Obama could have said.

Child Abused and Traumatized At Children’s Dental Group–Santa Ana, California

On March 2, 2011 4 1/2 year old “Sam” went to the dentist for his very 1st visit to the dentist.  His mom had prepared him for the visit by explaining what to the nice dentist would do, how the dentist was there to keep his teeth healthy let him ask question so that he was comfortable, maybe even be exited to be such a big boy and go see the dentist.

“Sam” is very bright, and articulate. He can express himself very well, and has been talking in full sentences since he was 2 years old. 

It’s very concerning to think that states are passing laws requiring children to have dental exam prior to starting school, when this is becoming the normal standard of care delivered by dentists here in the US.

Below “Sam’s” mom tells us what happened. 

Children’s Dental Group – Santa Ana, California

March 2, 2011

I went online and researched dentist offices in orange county, and attempted to find the most “kid friendly” practice, because my son had apprehension about going to the dentist and came across Children’s Dental Group.

Child Waterboarded at Small Smiles Dental Clinic In Oklahoma City

Dr. Megann Wakelee Scott, DDS is named as a defendant in three lawsuits in Oklahoma.

Two cases involve Medical Negligence and one is Assault and Battery.  Witnesses claim Dr. Megann Wakeless Scott waterboarded a child in order to scare the child into cooperating with dental treatment. 

See Petition Here 

  I’m not sure why this is so surprising since the company who employed her at the time encourages putting children in straightjacket type devices to control their thrashing about from pain and fear, as well as to assist in the speed of treatment.  Adding the water was the logical next step.
 
Dr. Megann Scott is facing a series of problems over this and other frightening things she does to children such as locking them in a pitch black room.  [I am told she hit the “Risk Management “ report several times before leaving in April 2010, including a serious issue of over treatment the first week if January 2010.]

Yes, Dr. Scott, you are the next disgusting headline, as you should be.  Do you have children, Dr. Scott?  I surely hope not.

US Soldier accused of ‘waterboarding’ his 4 year old daughter over ABC's

Army Soldier accused of “waterboarding” foster son for wetting bed

Teacher's Aid accused of waterboarding Autistic Child

 

Austin Smiles Dentist Arrested For Possession Of Child Porn: 400 Images Found On Computer

McCarty’s dental practice is not affiliated with the nonprofit Austin Smiles organization.

Austin Market Examiner
By John Egan 

Austin dentist Dr. Michael [P.] McCarty has been arrested after authorities found child pornography at his home and office, the Texas Attorney General’s Office said March 4.

The investigation started after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a tip that an Internet user had illegally
uploaded child pornography images to an online group. Authorities allege that in November and December 2010, the 64-year-old McCarty used e-mail accounts registered under this name to upload nearly 400 images of young boys engaged in sexual activity.

While searching McCarty’s dental practice in Northwest Austin – Austin Smiles Dentistry – and his home in Northwest Austin, members of the attorney general’s Cyber Crimes Unit found images of child pornography on his personal laptop and his work computer. A search of McCarty’s briefcase uncovered CDs with images and movies containing child pornography, authorities said.

Several times, McCarty has been named a “Texas Monthly Super Dentist” as part of a special advertising section in the magazine.

Under Texas law, possession of child pornography is a third-degree felony. If convicted,

Church Street Health Management's Small Smiles Dental Clinics–Multiple Oklahoma Lawsuits- Megann Scott, DDS and Monica Switzer, DDS Defendants in at Least Three

February 2010 Suit: CJ-2010-1632 Oklahoma County

February 2011 Suit: No. CJ-2011-921 Oklahoma County

MONICA DEAUN SWITZER, D.D.S.; MEGANN WAKELEE SCOTT, D.D.S. RONALD BOSTON QUADE, D.D.S. GIANG BINH PHAM, D.D.S. EUNA KYONG CHANG, D.D.S. DOUGLAS DAVID DURST , D.D.S.  JUSTIN KENNETH MARRIOTT, D.D.S ROBERT BRUCE WATSON, D.D.S. ERIN BETH HEATHCOCK, D.D.S. JIMEMA POITEVIEN, D.D.S.  STEPHEN ROSS CASH, D.D.S. JOSEPH PAUL SEBOURN, D.D.S. LENA NICOLE TURNER, D.D.S. MICHAEL HUDSON, D.D.S. ROSA ORTEGA, D.D.S. MATHEW ARNOLD BERG, D.M.D.

MONICA SWITZER, D.D.S. MEGANN SCOTT D.D.S. RON QUADE, D.D.S. GIANG BINH PHAM, D.D.S. EUNA CHANG, D.D.S. DOUGLAS DURST, D.D.S. ROBERT WATSON, D.D.S. ERIN HEATHCOCK, D.D.S. JIMEMEA POITEVIEN D.D.S. STEPHEN CASH, D.D.S. STEPHEN PARKER, D.D.S.

The list above reflects even the part time dentists.  Good!  You just can't play with trash without getting dirty, can you?

In the first case above, CJ-2010-1632, Douglas Durst, DDS has been removed without prejudice, at the request of the plaintiff in fact.  However, as of today,  Dr. Douglas Durst remains on the case filed in February 2011. 

There have been two other Medical Malpractice lawsuits naming Dr. Mathew A. Berg in Oklahoma- CJ-2009-10685 with Charles Goodwin, DDS and CJ-2009-01390 in connection with Dr. Paul Esau and New Smiles, PLLC.   I think this makes Dr. Mathew Arnold Berg the wining Small Smiles dentists with 4.

Ocean Dental in OKC Now Star Dental?

Apparently Ocean Dental located at 47 NE 23RD OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73105 has changed its name to Star Dental.

We all know when a company changes its name its because they are not very proud of the reputation they have using the former name.  Voila, re-branding!  

While looking into a very disturbing report on one of their dentists, Megann W. Scott, DDS, I noticed when I searched the address above Star Dental showed up in the results.  Same when searching the phone number to Star Dental.


In checking the Secretary of State's website I searched Star Dental and was given Ocean Dental PC -  # 2200711131.  Looking at the address "street" view you can see the signage as Ocean Dental and those maps are usually a few years old, so I'm guessing Star Dental is the new and improved, less filling and better tasting Ocean Dental.  




Star Dental, Ocean Dental, whatever they want to call it, this dental mill is still owned and operated by the same slimball, Chad Hoecker, DDS.
 

Deputy Inspector General, Perez, Testimony Before US House of Representative; Wast, Fraud and Abuse Still A Major Problem For Medicare and Medicaid

March 2, 2011

Omar Perez testified before the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce subcommittee  on Oversight and Investigations.

FORBA now known as Church Street Health Management and their Small Smiles Dental Centers is included,yet again, in another congressional testimony.  

My guess is this is not the last time either. 

By reading comments here and elsewhere sounds to me like Church Street Health Management have an "Operation" of their own, something kind of like "Operation Bite Me".


Read his full testimony here

More on Operation Bite Back

What does your tax dollar, Small Smiles dental centers and Tennessee’s Speaker of the House have in common?

 

Check-Up PAC

Rep. Beth Harwell, (R-TN) created Harwell PAC asked supporters to help fund her bid for Speaker of the House in Tennessee and FORBA/Church Street Health Management stepped in to help out.  Money raised by Harwell PAC were used to gain favors with fellow Republican Caucus members by making donations from the PAC to their campaigns. 

How you ask and what the hell is Check-Up PAC?

Money from 46 different Small Smiles dental clinics were spent on various other political campaigns.  A whopping $7500 was spent on an inaugural party for current Tennessee Governor, Bill Haslam.  Click here to see the pictures from the party you paid for but didn’t get to attend.

Remember that your tax dollars, all from states other than Tennessee help fund this shindig.  

Yes it’s a bit more complicated than that.  Your tax dollar made a few stops along the way before it ended up in Governor Haslam’s party coffers.

But, shoot, this ain’t nothing compared to the Football Stadium and multi-million dollar homes you bought for the DeRose and Padula’s of Pueblo, Colorado. 

Now it just happens to filter through Colorado and back to Tennessee to support the Michael Lindleys, Alfred Greens and the Todd Cruses of the world, just before it heads over to Bahrain of course.

I don’t know much about campaign laws, and don’t care to figure it out.  But something seems wrong when one company pulls money from all their very own pockets and pass the smell test of campaign finance laws.   I think this is the thing the Supreme Court decided last fall, which was so damn wrong in my opinion, for reasons such as this.

I notice they limited the pull from each of their own clinics to $1000.00.  What about their fake owners, such as Randy Ellis, Jodi Kuhn, Karen Chu, do they know they fake contributed to Check-Up PAC.  That answer would be no, since I’m sure they are allowed anywhere near their center’s checkbook!

This is just how it is, and the reason laws don’t get enforced (Kentucky, for one)  and other laws get changed in favor of crooks (Kansas).

You the people have no say whatsoever.

 

Check-Up PAC 3rd Quarter 2010 Report

Check-Up PAC Pre-General Election Report

Check-Up PAC 4th Quarter 2010 Report

Tennessee Campaign Financing Search

What is a PAC and how do I get one

Small Smiles looking for "Moonlighting" Oral Surgeons -

Pray!

Oral Surgeon

Church Street Health Management - Albany, NY 12201

Now Hiring Oral Surgeons for dental centers nationwide. We recognize you have elite, specialized training and experience, and we have immediate moonlighting and part-time opportunities. Flexible scheduling, generous compensation, and a chance to supplement your current practice with a built in referral source and patient follow up. $5,000 referral bonus available. Please call or email today at specialists@cshm.com  877-860-9939.

kim@brentwoodcommunications.com

This probably explains the need for these two jobs that popped up on the Internet last night:

In house Attorney and Legal Assistant

Kansas House Bill To Allow Expanded Functions for Hygienists Apprears Dead

Kansas Health Institute reports HB 2280 to allow for expanded functions for dental hygienists is dead.   No big surprise here after lawmakers decided to let corporate dental mills to operate in the state last week.  There is a lot of controversy on this issue, each side having legitimate points.  But I feel the controversy probably wasn't the issue on this one, it was corporate dentistry being allowed to come out of the shadows and set up shop in Kansas.  Corporate dental companies have deep pockets and lots of money to spread around.  Of course they do,  it's taxpayer money they are spreading since most of the money flowing into the coffers is Medicaid dollars, your tax dollars. 

Anyone want to bet some conversations somewhere talked about  NOT allowing hygienists to have expanded functions, to make Comfort Dental happy?  Maybe Comfort Dental twisted more than a few arms to make sure HB 2208 died.  I wonder if those dentists who opposed expanded services for hygienists wish they had taken another stance, now they have corporate dental mills rolling in.  I bet they think the mills won't cut into their income since they will treat mostly the poor, so far that's not the way it's played out in other states.  I guess we will all see won't we.  I know one thing, I would rather a skilled plumber provide my dental care than a dentist under the thumb of some CEO who needs a new jet.  What about you?

By Mike Shields
KHI News Service
Originally published Feb. 17, 2011 at 9:07 p.m., updated Feb. 18, 2011 at 1:52 p.m.

TOPEKA — A controversial bill to allow specially trained dental hygienists to provide more tooth care to patients was heard today in the House Health and Human Services Committee.

But that may be the end of it for this year. House Bill 2280 will not be voted upon by the committee, the chairperson said following the hearing, which was split into two sessions, the second ending about 7:30 p.m.

"It's the first year for it. There's lots of questions, lots of concerns," about the proposal, said Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican.

Her decision to hold the bill is a setback for its proponents because of looming legislative deadlines that limit ways they now can push the measure forward.  The bill, sought by a coalition that includes children's advocates and the state's 39 safety-net clinics, met stiff opposition from Kansas dentists.

New provider class

It would create a new class of dental care provider called a Registered Dental Practitioner. Already licensed hygienists with an additional 18 months of focused training could qualify for the new license, should the bill become law.

Supporters said the new "mid-level practitioners," would...  more

Lawmakers Calling For More Oversight in VA Dental Clinic

If they just would get as passionate about the children being exposed to the exact same issues at the Medicaid Dental mills spread all over Ohio.  While they are at it, REPLACE YOUR DENTAL BOARD AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, they suck!

By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer Updated 10:15 AM Thursday, February 17, 2011

DAYTON — Three Dayton area congressmen are calling for an investigation into the lack of oversight that allowed a dentist at a Dayton VA Medical Center clinic to violate medical standards for nearly two decades, potentially exposing hundreds of veterans to blood-borne pathogens.

On Wednesday, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, urging him to order a review of oversight practices at the Dayton VA.

“The fact that our veterans could have been exposed to infection, let alone over the past 18 years, without any intervention from supervisors at the Dayton VA is outrageous,” Turner said.

“Secretary Shinseki must take steps towards righting this wrong.”

The VA has identified at least 535 former patients who may have been exposed to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.  more

WHIO-TV Video Report

Dayton ABC Story- Video Included

Doctors, Nurses, Health Care Company Owners and Executives Among the Defendants Charged; Law Enforcement Agents Execute 16 Search Warrants Oooops

Medicare fraud cost taxpayers $90 Billion a year

Fund Raiser To Help Devastated Family With Burial Costs

Marissa Kingery was just 13 years old when she passed away on January 3rd, 2011 after complication from oral surgery.   Marissa slipped into a coma and became unresponsive on December 21, 2010.

I urge everyone to make a donation.  This family is suffering trying to cope with such a loss.  If we can help to remove financial worries, we, at the very least, should do that along with our continued prayers.

Below is information on a fundraiser being organized by her uncle.

The Warthogs Motorcycle Club's primary goal is to develop a bond between Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and Officers of the court, to assist Officers and Firefighters in their time of need and to assist the orphans and widows of those who lost their lives in the line of duty. 

However on Sunday, March 27, 2011 the Brook Park, Ohio Chapter of the Warthogs is sponsoring  a benefit dinner and fund raiser at The American Legion Post in Brook Park, Ohio.

Details:

Date: Sunday March 27, 2011

Time:  2pm to 6pm
50/50 & Chinese Raffle

Location: The American Legion Post 610
19944 Sheldon Rd.
Brook Park, Ohio 44142
Click here for map

You many also make donations at any area:
 Huntington Bank
or mail to:
Warthogs Motorcycle Club
10113 Valley Forge Dr. Parma Hts. Ohio, 44130
Make checks or money orders payable to:

Warthogs Motorcycle Club of Brook Park
in memo area please add
"In Memory of Marissa Kingery"  

You may contact Mark or Dave for further information:

 Mark (Zebra) Zebraski (Marissa's uncle) (216) 408-8194
 Dave (Shiek) Fadil at (440) 785-3832 
Thank you,
Mark (Zebra) Zebraski.

The Warthogs have chapters in the US, Canada and Norway.

Small Smiles Free Screenings In February

I've been watching this all month and it's just a bit ridiculous. 

They announce they are offering free dental screening on February 16 at 7:20 am that will be held on February 16, between 9 and 11am.  Think they really want children to show up for the free screenings?

Of course not.  It's just to have their name out there and the word free attached to give the illusion they are doing something good.

Today's example  KKTV

Mostly it's announced the night before with a foot note to call for an appointment or some stupid thing as that.  No they really don't want to give free screening and it's likely they are booked solid that day anyway and would crap if about 50 people showed up.  Let me say, they are NOT sitting there with no appointments for two hours waiting for parents to bring in their children.

Anyone want to make any bets there will be a clip on the evening news tonight on the wonders of Small Smiles dental in the Springs?

The Smile Center Family Dentistry - San Antonio, Texas

WOAI TV Report

Published: 2/21 1:31 pm

Updated: 2/23 4:39 pm

update – February 21, 2011

If you or your child suffered at the hands of Dr. Stephen Simpton and The Smile Center contact the Crosley Law firm for a free case review.
For more information on the case click here.

Initial Report - February 7, 2011

 

Investigative Report by WOAI's Brian Collister - BrianCollister@woaitv.com

February 14, 2011

The Smile Center, another dental mill left to run amok, with no one checking, no dental board oversight, and evidently no one giving a damn.  Why has no one questioned this dental mill?  Where are the social workers in this, are they not noticing an increased amount of children with their mouths crammed full of stainless steel crowns. 

The report says the dentist who did this no longer work there, ok, where the hell did they go.  Let's get some names so the public can be warned.  But no, that won't happen, and these, like the thousands of dentists employed by these Medicaid dental mills will just move down the road to the next mill and continue with the substandard treatment they have been trained, coerced and baited with bonuses to deliver.  

The Smile Center's statement, Stephen Simpton, DDS

Dental Dreams has become a Dental Nightmare for family of Christopher Schutzius

The Reported Facts:

It’s two for two so far for deaths after dental procedures in 2011.  Another routine dental procedure ends with a dead child.  On Wednesday, February 9, 2011,  17 year old, Christopher Schutzius died, of what the Medical Examiner reported as sepsis, a severe blood infection.  Also referred to as blood poisoning, sepsis is very often life threatening, it causes the blood pressure to drop, the patient goes into shock, major systems shut down, such as kidneys, liver, lungs and central nervous system and then death.

On February 1, 2011 Christopher went to Dental Dreams, a corporate dental chain located in the Chicago suburb of Blue Island, Illinois.  This Dental Dreams was the one located at 12200 Western Avenue.  Christopher went there alone to simply have a filling refilled after he lost the previous one while eating a caramel apple.  Instead of replacing the filling, the dentist gave Christopher a root canal and sent him home with no antibiotics or pain medication.

Christopher was a senior at Eisenhower High and had entered the foster case system in 2008.

Dr. Christopher Wenckus of the University of Illinois said it was very rare to die from sepsis after a root canal, going on to say it maybe happens once every 50 years. Dr. Wenckus said he would love to see the x-rays taken before the surgery.

Laying the ground work for some other problem or fault beside negligence on the part of the treating dentist and Dental Dreams, journalist Steve Metsch reports that Dr. Wenckus questioned,  “Was that tooth infected prior to the root canal? If it’s a live tooth, with a functioning nerve, there’s no way in hell this takes place.  Surgery can’t cause it. There’s got to be an underlying condition.”

“If someone has an infected tooth, (their face) is swollen and bad and nasty. That’s the time you use an antibiotic. How do they know the sepsis came from an infected tooth?”

According to Metsch, Dr. Wenckus went on to say if it was infection from a bad tooth there would have been warning signs such as swelling and soreness in the mouth. 

“If someone has an infected tooth, …

DeRose friend and cohort gets 71 counts of fraud dropped like a hot potatoe

Anyone think DeRose cohort Tony Ianne will see one hour of jail time?  

Along with the DeRoses' he's just part of the "family" who owns and runs Pueblo along with the Carleo's, whose dumbass son tried to rob the casino in Las Vegas.  No wonder there is an air of arrogance that shrouds these people.  

We know why this deal had to be made by the DA and everyone involved.  Because God knows everyone in town is involved!  How do you jail an entire city?!  Gag me! 

Posted: Friday, February 11, 2011 12:00 am

Ianne pleads to one fraud charge By JEFF TUCKER | jtucker@chieftain.com The Pueblo Chieftain | 14 comments

The central figure in one of the city's largest mortgage fraud schemes will see nearly all of the charges against him disappear with a single plea.

 Anthony Joseph Ianne, 50, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit a computer crime in exchange for the dismissal of 71 other counts including a violation of the Colorado Organized Crime Act.

The case against Ianne's co-defendant, John Valle, also will be dismissed.  Ianne is scheduled for sentencing in May and faces up to six years in prison, unless District Judge David Crockenberg finds extraordinary aggravating circumstances, in which case the maximum sentence will be 12 years.

But according to the agreement, Crockenberg will have all of the sentencing options available to him, including prison, a community corrections facility or probation.

District Attorney Bill Thiebaut said he stands by the agreement that sweeps away nearly six dozen felony charges as well as two separate indictments alleging witness intimidation.
"The plea agreement speaks for itself," Thiebaut said in a statement Thursday. "I am confident that at sentencing, and after arguments are made by the prosecution and the defendant’s counsel, the court will impose a just sentence that will advance the goals of the safety and economic well-being of our community."

 A Pueblo grand jury indicted Ianne on Dec. 7, 2009.
 He was accused of enlisting others to purchase homes from his inventory of rentals, with guarantees about tenant assistance and rental income.

Statistics Show Dentist May Be Too Old; Marissa Kingery Death

Mazorow says he's not too old, evidently he's wrong!

Small Smiles Fort Wayne, IN - Dr. Teresa Nicholson; 10 Crowns, 2 Fillings and Two Teeth Pulled on a Child in One Sitting

Got a report today of a child who saw Dr. Teresa Nicholson at the Fort Wayne Small Smiles Clinic.  The person gave me the date and said Dr. Nicholson put on 10 crowns, 2 fillings and pulled two teeth on her child.  Talk about one really upset mother.  

Why are dentists like these NOT in jail!!! 

No, it was NOT done under sedation.

Dr. Terrence Vandiver, Small Smiles Columbia, SC Free Screening; Really?

Free Screening or Pure Propaganda?

Dentist or Legal Adviser? 

• Correct Buzz words - check
• Mother holding child properly - check
• Child has new shoes - check
• Mother mentions child's first time at dentist-check
• Feet filmed - check 
• No one will figure out we all know each other - check
• Mom didn't mind driving from Jacksonville, FL to do commercial - check
 

Here is Dr. Terry's "make money at home" with pre-paid legal services website.There are others. 

Kool Smiles - National Association of Community Health Centers

Kool Smiles Job Listing :

Looking for a Director to work with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC).  Director will be 

1) co-develop dental partnerships with existing Community Health Centers (CHC)

2) maintain ongoing relationships with existing Kool Smiles CHC's

3) work on site selection and leasing of Community Health Centers.

What is National Association of Community Health Centers:

The National Association of Community Health Centers is a nonprofit organization that represents health centers -- providing advocacy, education, training, and technical assistance to health centers in support of their mission to provide quality health care to underserved populations.  You can learn more about health centers here at NACHC.com.

NACHC Membership types

Health Center Growth - help with obtaining grants to open new clinics, etc

NACHC Help With Finance

Find A Community Health Center

To find a center you go to Health Resources and Services Administration, a part of US Department of Health and Human Services:

Kool Smiles, 6065 Montana Avenue # B4, El Paso, TX 79925
Kool Smiles, 1070 St James Avenue # 4, Springfield, MA 01104
Kool Smiles, 2000 S University Avenue # K, Little Rock, AR 72204
Kool Smiles, 5504 E 22nd St # 140, Tucson, AZ 85711
Kool Smiles, 715 Crescent St # 4B, Brockton, MA 02302
Kool Smiles, 5900 E Virginia Beach Blvd #70, Norfolk, VA 23502
Kool Smiles, 1121 Broad St # 12, Sumter, SC 29150
Kool Smiles PC, 4458 Jonesboro Rd, Forest Park, GA 30297-4314
Kool Smiles, 1301 E US Highway 83, McAllen, TX 78501
Kool Smiles, 2001 NE Evangeline Trwy, Lafayette, LA 70501

Does this mean taxpayers picked up the bill to build these torture chambers through Federal Grants or some other vehicle?  Do the professionals (dentists) who work at these designated centers get a break on education costs, maybe the company, Kool Smiles (NCDR) get help with paying these same professionals?

I've not had time to look into it.  Here are some links for anyone who would like to do so.

Links:
HHS

HRSA Home

HRSA Grants

HRSA Loans and Scholarships