Dental X-Rays causing tumors? Highly likely, but Medicaid Dental mills don’t care, it’s part of their bread and butter or it is?

I’m highly suspicious about articles like the one below or the latest sedation dentistry media blitz. I have to wonder if these are meant to drive home the request the ADA and the AAPD made to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid dated July 12, 2011 where they were crying and whining about the audits being “too aggressive”.  Evidently they made a home run in NY since it was recently announced NY relaxing it’s audit.

• ADA letter to CMS whining about audits of children Medicaid programs.
• NY OIG forces out due to recovering too much of taxpayers money from fraud.
• New York eases Audits
• FDA Dental X-Ray Guide

 

Are Dental X-Rays Causing Brain Tumors?

 

(NEW YORK) -- “It’s time for your annual X-rays.”  This is what millions of Americans are told when they visit the dentist.  But new research out of Yale finds dental X-rays may be linked to increased rates of brain tumors.

Meningioma is the most common type of brain tumors that originate in the brain and spinal cord, making up one third of these.  People who were diagnosed with meningioma were compared with healthy individuals.  They were asked how often they had the most common type of dental X-ray, called a bitewing, which involves placing an X-ray film between the teeth and shooting the film from outside of your cheek.  In those who reported having this type of X-ray once a year or more the risk for meningioma was 1.4-1.9 times increased depending on their age.

Another type of dental X-ray, called the Panorex, that rotates around your head taking a picture of all of your teeth from outside your mouth was associated with an almost five-fold increase in rates of meningioma when the X-ray was performed before age 10.  For those older than 10 there was a 2.7 to 3 fold increased risk when this X-ray was performed once a year or more.

Current recommendations by the American Dental Association do admit that there is little use for dental X-rays in healthy people without any symptoms, but still recommends X-rays of healthy children be taken every 1-2 years and every 2-3 years for healthy adults.  The authors think these guidelines may need to be reevaluated in the wake of their findings.

Reactions to the study have been mixed. For critics, the design of the study has some serious flaws. The main weakness is the failure of the researchers to obtain any of the patient’s dental records to verify that the number of X-rays they reported having was true, says Dr. Richard Besser, ABC News' chief health and medical editor.

“People with cancer are more likely to remember having dental X-rays,” explains Besser. “They are searching for some cause of their cancer and may incorrectly attribute it to any number of factors.”  Dr. Besser also points out that the study failed to find any connection between having braces and risk for meningioma.  “When you have braces you remember that clearly, and people who have braces on average undergo more x-rays than people without braces,” says Besser.

Dr. Alan G. Lurie, a Ph.D. radiation biologist who specializes in cancer induction and is president of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, agrees with Dr. Besser that the study has a serious flaw.

“They’re asking people to remember (in some cases) a couple of radiographs they had 30 years earlier when they were kids. They’re not going to be able to tell you what kind of X-ray machine was used…what kind of film, were there any retakes?" Lurie says.

Other doctors see this as a strong study and think that it raises valid concerns.  “The current study is well-done and confirms that even in the ‘modern era’ radiation exposure from repeated dental X-rays conveys an increased risk of these tumors,” says Dr. David Schiff of the Neuro-Oncology Center at the University of Virginia.

Overall, doctors are not surprised that dental X-rays could cause this type of tumor because the type of radiation that X-rays give off is known to be associated with brain tumors. “Ionizing radiation is the only well-accepted environmental risk factor for development of meningiomas," says Dr. Schiff.

However they warn that this study cannot prove that dental X-rays cause brain tumors.  It can only reveal a possible association between dental X-rays and tumors.

Still, there are some important things people can do to minimize their exposure to dental X-rays.  For example, patients can ask their doctors whether X-rays are completely necessary, or how much radiation will be delivered by the various options available.

“All health professionals should be thinking that for our patients, each exposure must be beneficial and we should be of a mindset to do the fewest exposures possible to obtain needed diagnostic information," explains Paul Casamassimo DDS, professor and chair of pediatric dentistry at the Ohio State University College of Dentistry and chief of dentistry at Nationwide Children's.

Overall, experts hope that as a result of this study the public gains new awareness of a potential risk and will take their concerns to their dentist.  

Dr. Paul Casamassimo is on the Advisory board of one of the nations worst offenders- Small Smiles Dental Centers, owned and operated by the bankrupt Church Street Health Management.  Dr. Casamassimo should heed his own warnings!

He should be asking his colleague, Dr. Steven Adair about the unnecessary x-rays taken at the Small Smiles Dental centers, and the fraud involved in said unnecessary x-rays, especially at the Denver dental centers with Dr. Minh Tia and his office manager! I believe that amounted to some $200k between June 2010 and June 2011! Just saying….

 

In an article about “Dental Therapist” dated April 10, 2012, it mentions Dr. Paul Casamassimo is the AAPD Pediatric Oral Health Research and Policy Center Director.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Responds to Kellogg Foundation Report on Dental Therapists

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Academy of General Dentistry  Responds to Dental X-Ray Warning:
Thursday April 12, 2012

CHICAGO, April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, April 10, 2012, in the journal Cancer, the American Cancer Society published an article entitled "Dental X-Rays and Risk of Meningioma," which summarized a study that sought to develop a correlation between dental radiographs and brain cancer.

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to providing quality dental care and oral health information to the public, the study's findings are not applicable to modern dentistry because the study was based upon an examination of outdated radiographic techniques, which produced considerably more radiation than patients would be exposed to today.

"Modern radiographic techniques and equipment provide the narrowest beam and shortest exposure, thereby limiting the area and time of exposure and reducing any possible risks while providing the highest level of diagnostic benefits," said AGD President Howard Gamble, DMD, FAGD. "Today, patient safety is always maintained with the recommended use of thyroid collars and aprons."

The article from the American Cancer Society, which received attention from many reputable news outlets, could cause the public to decide to limit or even refuse X-rays in an effort to keep their families safe.

"It is regrettable to think that an article based on outdated technology could scare the public and cause them to avoid needed treatment," said Dr. Gamble. "With the radiography techniques in use today, the amount of radiation exposure is reduced and more controlled than it was in years past."

The AGD supports radiographic guidelines provided by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and concurs with the ADA that dentists should order dental radiographs for patients only when necessary for diagnosis and treatment.

The AGD encourages patients to discuss their concerns with their dentists in order to determine what's best for them. The AGD also encourages dentists to communicate with their patients and address any unexpressed concerns of radiographic risks in order to reduce fear and promote a better understanding of the benefits and the risks associated with the specific needs of each patient.

"Neglecting one's oral health has serious oral and systemic risks," said Dr. Gamble. "Radiographs play an important role in improving the oral health of the public, and patients should not be deterred from seeking oral health care due to misperceptions from this study."

The Cancer study contained many inconsistencies and possibilities for error, including the fact that its findings were based upon a population-based case-control study. This means that it relied upon the patients themselves to recall and self-report past events, many of which were from decades earlier.

The AGD supports ongoing scientific research on any correlations between dental radiographs and incidents of disease in an effort to provide the most accurate information to the public and to correct any misperceptions created by the Cancer study.

About the Academy of General Dentistry
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to providing quality dental care and oral health education to the public. AGD members stay up-to-date in their profession through a commitment to continuing education. Founded in 1952, the AGD is the second largest dental association in the United States, and it is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management, and overall coordination of services related to patients' oral health needs. For more information about the AGD, visit www.agd.org.

SOURCE Academy of General Dentistry

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All I have to say here is that the AGD or any other of the D’s are not to quick to come out against reports that are loaded to the brim with “old” and “outdated” studies if it could possibly generate revenue.

Survey of State Laws Governing the Corporate Practice of Dentistry

Ever wonder what the laws say about a corporation practicing dentistry in any one state?  Well, now we have a fantastic reference for this information.

Survey of State Laws Governing the
Corporate Practice of Dentistry

Rob Walton, and Wal-Mart version of “owner dentists”, Dr. Andre Bruini and Dr. Chris Comfort, should read these before they delve much further into the abyss and Land of Oz.
BTW, this Wal-Mart thing might get a bit “sticky” besides being “shady”.  I’m seeing Stark Law issues-if they take Mediciad-Medicaid, or Anti-Kickback issues, IRS issues on “employee vs. contractor”.  Lots of stuff on this to come.

Catching up on Church Street and Small Smiles bankruptcy this Easter weekend finds whistleblowers still waiting on their good citizen reward.

I decided to read over some more of the thousands of pages filed on the Church Street Health Management/Small Smiles dental bankruptcy filings as we did our family travels this weekend. What caught my eye was a 140 page Affidavit of Service. The list was very interesting, and what,or should I say who, was on this listed was what really made an impression.

First, in my loose estimate there are some 800 to 1000 minor children who have lawsuits pending against this criminal enterprise for abuse, mistreatment or overtreatment and blatant malpractice.

Second, you know those whistleblowers who blew the lid off this particular criminal enterprise back in 2007 The one that finally reached a settlement in January 2010. Well, they are on the “notify” list, meaning they are to be “served” copies of all these documents, or most of them anyway.

Now, that means not only did Church Street Health Management and their host of Small Smiles dental centers fail to pay the fines (they call it a settlement) imposed by several states-some states have been paid more than others-but the whisleblowers have not received their full rewar$ for the hell they went through, filing lawsuits and turning these bastards into the Department of Justice.

There were two or three in the Virginia and DC area as well as Mr. Haney in South Carolina.

I think this issue on Whistleblowing needs some tweaking! One thing for sure, is criminals aren’t good credit risks.

Speaking of credit, Church Street Health Management and their Small Smiles centers sure have a lot of people to whom they owe a shit load of money. For a criminal enterprise to go belly up just over a year after the Feds begin keeping a much closer eye on their operations, by way of that Corporate Integrity Agreement, the CEO Michael Lindley signed, says a lot. A WHOLE LOT!

To me it says, unless we break the law, and commit malpractice on most of the children we profess to care so much about, to rip off Medicaid this business model is not for the profit minded.

I’ve not downloaded and read all the documents of the bankruptcy yet, but, I certainly will. I’ve not found their detailed list of Assets and Liabilities just yet. Last I read said basically they were working on it. I’m just guessing, but I bet this one has to be the one of the most creative “assets” lists the Federal Court system has ever seen.

I’m sure there will be some sort of “pecking” order to settle up these debts, whether there is some fool ass Wall Street firm or Private Equity scumbags to snatch up this hot mess company, which I doubt, by the way.

But the children they have abused and the ones still waiting out there to be compensated for their pain and suffering should be number one, the taxpayers number two and the whistleblowers number three and it would be a tie between, Al Smith, Michael Lindley or Steve Adair down there in Hilton Head last, and should be barred from any claim whatsoever! 

Some other notables on the list are:

Lisa DeRose;
Ameris – Lindley’s other business and the one that owns the plane and the condo in Florida; and,
Jake and Jenna Kochenberger

Scary–On the one year anniversary of Jenny Olenick’s death, anesthesia dentistry is on the rise.

On the one year anniversary of Jenny Olenick’s death, Medscape posted, what I refer to as “Anesthesia Media Blitz II”. Since early March, the AAPD and other associations have released various press releases promoting putting children to sleep to perform dental procedures. The Medscape article is the second round. Medscape could have posted a story on the hazards of such practices, but didn’t. I’m not saying it was on purposely, however, I’ve learned seldom are stories published without reason.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

   

MedScape

April 6, 2012 — Pediatric dentists cannot find enough dentist anesthesiologists to meet the needs of their patients, according to a survey of pediatric dentists published in the spring 2012 issue of Anesthesia Progress.

The survey responses differed somewhat by region, sex, and years in the specialty, with 20% to 40% of participants saying they currently use a dental anesthesiologist and 60% to 70% saying they would use one if one were available.

The demand for dentist anesthesiologists has been increasing in recent years in pediatric dentistry, according to a separate survey of dental anesthesiology program directors published in the same journal.

"The trend in the past has been that many dentists provided [both] anesthesia and dental care," coauthor James Jones, DDS, chair of pediatric dentistry at Indiana University in Indianapolis, told Medscape Medical News.

Now, many pediatric dentists would prefer to concentrate on the dentistry while someone else focuses on anesthesia, he said. "We're realizing that it's a safety issue."

Dr. Jones said researchers at the university had become aware of the need for anesthesia in their patients because they provide service to a lot of low-income patients who need extensive dental work of the type that often requires general anesthesia.

To see what other pedodontists were experiencing, they sent out emails to all 2586 active board-certified pediatric dentists who are members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and who made their email addresses available, asking them to participate in an online survey.

The messages bounced back from 659 of these, leaving 1927, of whom 494 completed the survey.

Participants disclosed their sex, age, years in practice, region, number of years as a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, use of in-office sedation, and use of intravenous (IV) sedation. They also commented on their use of a dentist anesthesiologist.

The respondents differed in their use of anesthesiology by demographics. Thirty-nine percent of women answered "yes" to the question, "Do you use the services of a dentist anesthesiologist?" compared with 23% of men, which is a statistically significant difference (P < .01).

Only 12% of those in practice for longer than 21 years used IV sedation in their office, and only 25% of this group used dentist anesthesiologists (P < .01). Although only 53% of this group answered "yes" to the question, "Would you use the services of a dentist anesthesiologist, if available?" this percentage was not statistically significant compared with dentists who have been in practice for fewer years.

In contrast, 30% of those in practice for 5 years or fewer used in-office IV sedation, 38% used dentist anesthesiologists, and 74% would use dentist anesthesiologists if they could (P < .01).

Group practices were least likely to administer in-office sedation; solo practices were the most likely.

Practices in the Southwest were most likely to use in-office sedation. Westerners were most likely to administer in-office IV, employ dentist anesthesiologists, and use dentist anesthesiologists if they could.

Dental Anesthesiologists Address Many Needs

Dr. Jones said the finding points to a need for more training programs for dentist anesthesiologists. "I think the demand is going to increase over time," he said.

He pointed out that bringing an anesthesiologist into the office is half as expensive as taking the patient to a hospital or day-surgery center for anesthesia.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Spokesman John Liu, DDS, agreed, noting that hospitals and surgery centers charge for the use of their facilities.

Dr. Liu, a clinical assistant professor of dentistry at the University of Washington in Seattle, told Medscape Medical News that pediatric dentists are in greater need of help from dentist anesthesiologists for several reasons.

First, more children are being diagnosed with behavior-related conditions such as autism and attention deficit disorder, he said.

Second, fewer parents are comfortable with having their children physically restrained through frightening and sometimes painful treatments. "The reality is that it's not an easy thing to sit through something like that," Dr. Liu, who has a private practice in Issaquah, Washington, told Medscape Medical News.

Dr. Liu also said that some state dental boards prohibit dentists from providing general anesthesia or deep sedation, even if they have completed residency programs in anesthesiology, and he thinks these regulations should be changed.

"I find it tremendously helpful to have a dental anesthesiologist, as opposed to an MD anesthesiologist, because he knows exactly what I'm doing and when I'm going to be done," said Dr. Liu. "I have used a dental anesthesiologist for more than 20 years, and I don't know how anybody manages without one."

Dr. Liu and Dr. Jones have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Anesth Prog. 2012;59:12-17. Full text

Gag and PUKE! An Inside Look at Kool Smiles - Working for Kool Smiles

 

Amazing all the things this Dr. Polly leaves out about Kool Smiles!! She should be in jail in my opinion!

Here are videos about the “real” inside of Kool Smiles.

Dentize Me! Another dental “franchise” unleashed on the unsuspecting public or a con man at play?

Meet, Nathan Nead of Maple Valley, Washington.  He’s one busy man! He's into a whole lot of internet businesses. And honestly, not very good at it, since he doesn’t even change the website design, just slaps another name on it.  Kinda like scraping the name off the door and putting up another one.  In the past he’s represented himself to be an Insurance Exchange, Energy Retailer (Enron?), Digital Signage, Pressure Washer, IRA and 401K Manager, and today he’s selling $25k pieces of a corporate dentistry franchise called Dentize. The insurance exchange thing got him into a bit of trouble with the Kansas Insurance Commissioner.  Here

 

Dentize.com Offers Dental Franchise Information for New Investors

2012-04-02 11:30:19 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Business, Money & Finance, Press Releases)

03/31/2012 // Seattle, Washington , United States // ROI.me // Dentize.com

Dentize.com is proud to announce that it is offering dental franchise information to potential new investors. This information, conveniently located on its website gives a comprehensive overview on investment, returns, and other details to candidates who are interested in becoming franchise owners.

Dentize offers investors the unique chance to gain a fully managed dental franchise with absentee ownership that has the potential to generate increased annual profits up to 40 to 60 percent more within five years. Dentize believes that it offers a good opportunity to get involved with a dental franchise without having the limitations of traditional business ownership. According to the American Dental Association, the dental industry is one of the most stable in the country and has a historical success rate of 98 percent. What sets Dentize’s offer apart from traditional franchises is that it requires little human resource expenditure and no investment in inventory or dental facilities.

The capital investment in this model requires $200,000 with the possibility to make payments in $25,000 increments. Dentize works with a select network of successful dentists who work out of facilities that are often at capacity and attract viable patients who value oral health care and possess the financial means to receive quality dental services. The patients’ payments are then divided between the franchise owner and the dentist who provided the services. The franchise owner may choose to operate the day-to-day business with limited responsibilities or leave it in the hands of an authorized management institution. Professional management services bank on a five year track record of success and will organize all of the activities related to the business and ensure the continued attraction of customers.

Corporate dentistry is dangerous to the public and the dentists who work for them.

Just last week the Georgia Board of Dentistry denies it’s ability to regulate “dental practices”, but they don’t mind to nail an individual dentist for following the “dental practice” protocol for treatment of their patients.

Georgia Board of Dentistry Denies Ability to Regulate “Dental Practices”

LETTER TO GEORGIA BOARD OF DENTISTRY

From: Concerned citizen
To: Georgia Board of Dentistry
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Question / Comment:
Dear Director,
I'm seeking Public Record info on Actions the Georgia Dental Board may have taken against dental facilities, under the "Kool Smiles" brand, or dentists employed by this interstate company.
Thank You,
Concerned Citizen

REPLY FOR THE GEORGIA BOARD OF DENTISTRY:

From: Georgia Board of Dentistry
To: Concerned Citizen
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012


Your email has been received by the Georgia Board of Dentistry. The Board does not have the authority to sanction dental practices; therefore, there are no sanctions against "Kool Smiles." Also, we would need the name of specific dentists in order to search for board orders. You can query for board orders by individual practitioner at https://secure.sos.state.ga.us/myverification/
Regards,
Georgia Board of Dentistry

I’ve gotten the same kind of info from other state dental boards over the years and it appears nothing has changed unless it’s gotten worse.

Question:
Where and with whom do the dentists who work for these “dental practices” file complaints?

Dangerous ‘eh?

You bet!

As has been said here "Cut off the head of the hydra & 2 more sprout out"–My Dentist Complete Care Dentistry

From the website of My Dentist Complete Care Dentistry:

 

About Dr. Pat Steffen |My Dentist Complete Care Dentistry

My Dentist is a family of dental practices in Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas. Founded in 1983 by Dr. Pat Steffen, My Dentist provides General Dentistry, with Specialists in Orthodontics, Endodontics, Oral Surgery and Prosthodontics at some offices. Because we are a group practice, you benefit from the combined knowledge and experience of all the Hygienists, General Dentists and Specialists in our group.

Providing Complete Care Dentistry sets My Dentist apart. We accept the responsibility of providing you and your family with the best care that modern dentistry has to offer. Our dental professionals never stop learning. They continually update their skills to remain on the leading edge of dental technology and allow you to benefit from new discoveries.

Every My Dentist patient receives a complete diagnostic exam and a complete treatment plan. Working together, you and your Dentist develop a strategic, long-term plan for your oral health. This long-term plan is important, because seeing the full picture helps you make the best decisions about your care. We prioritize the plan to take care of your most pressing concerns first and adapt the treatment to fit your schedule and your budget, no matter how long it takes to complete.

To help our patients receive the care they need, My Dentist offers very competitive prices. We accept all dental insurance and offer several financing options, with approved credit. We’ll work with you to get the care you need.

 

General company inquiries

My Dentist.
P.O. Box 21840
Oklahoma City, OK  73156
Please direct media inquiries to: media@mydentistinc.com
(405) 751-7131

Committed to your satisfaction.

The dentists and staff at My Dentist are committed to providing you with great service and care. If you are not satisfied with the service you received, please call the Office Manager at the My Dentist office where you were treated.

If you would like to discuss your care with someone other than the Office Manager, please fill out the Contact us form and someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for letting My Dentist help you find your smile.Know us

• Frequently Asked Questions
• News & Press Releases
• Mission Statement
• Financing & Insurance
• Join My Dentist Now
• Patient Rewards Program

Download

• My Dentist Coupons
• New Patient Forms
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Dentists Oklahoma City | Dentists Tulsa | Dentists Kansas City | Dentists Texas

 

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Disclaimer

GENERAL DENTISTRY

My Dentist Complete Care Dentistry is a provider of General Dentistry. Notice: the following dentists in this practice in Missouri: David Moyer DDS, Emily Handley DDS, Nick Catallozzi DDS, Julie Skidmore, Sarah Brent DDS, Creighton Gallagher DDS and David Vasquez DDS; and in Texas: Scott Keys DDS, Robert Esparza DDS and Matthew Gibbs DDS are General Dentists and not licensed in Missouri or Texas as specialists in the advertised dental specialties of Endodontics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatrics, Periodontics or Prosthodontics. Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, and TMJ treatment are specialty areas not recognized by the American Dental Association that require no special educational training to advertise these services

The material contained on mydentistinc.com is offered as information only and not as professional advice. Users need to consult a licensed dentist for such advice. Information on this web site is provided as assistance for Users making decisions regarding their dental health and cannot be substitute for the individual judgment brought to each clinical situation by the patient's dentist. The information on this web site reflects the science of dentistry at the time the web site was developed, but continued research may result in new knowledge or recommendations.

Medicaid Fraud Penalties Are Unbalanced (that was the nicest word I could use)

Here is the perfect example of how the 1% stay there, and the %99 stay put as well.  Being the 1% has a whole lot of perks!

Quanah, Texas Dentist Sentenced
KAUZ-TV: NewsChannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TX

Posted: Mar 28, 2012 8:58 PM CDT

A Quanah dentist pleaded guilty Wednesday, March 28, to Medicaid Fraud. Dr.

Jay Parmer was sentenced to 10 years probation. He was ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 to Hardeman County, and ordered to make restitution in an amount of $158,000 to the State of Texas Medicaid program.

Law enforcement launched an investigation into Dr. Parmer billing practices in 2009. At the time, Parmer filed a complaint against his former office manager for theft.

During that investigation, she told police Parmer fraudulently billed for work he had not actually completed. On July 20, 2010, Parmer's former office manager pleaded guilty to the thefts.

The Texas Department of Public Safety executed a search warrant in August 2009 on Parmer's office in Quanah. DPS seized patient records and computers used for billing purposes.

Parmer operated offices in Quanah and Vernon, Texas.

Just two days prior, Dr. Richard Malouf who has “allegedly” stole hundreds of millions paid the government $1.2 million dollars to leave him alone.

Dentist settles fraud case, pays $1.2 million, takes CIA

In case you're wondering why OIG just entered a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the All Smiles Dental Center in Texas, here's a recap of the Medicaid fraud case:

All Smiles was a success story, and its founder Richard Malouf was rich; his $10 million French-style chateau put him on D magazine's "100 Most Expensive Homes in Dallas" list. Life was good -- you can watch a video of Malouf backup-dancing for a Michael Jackson impersonator at the All Smiles Christmas party here.

But the feds claimed Malouf got rich in part through Medicaid fraud. The Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) and the FBI pursued charges that Malouf "caused 'unbundled' and other improper claims to be submitted to the Texas Medicaid program for orthodontic-related items and services between 2004 and 2007."

Back in 2010, Malouf repaid $46,000 in claims to Texas Medicaid and agreed to an 18-month Medicaid claims moratorium.

Last week, Malouf settled the legal case. He admits no wrongdoing but will pay a whopping $1.2 million settlement fee to Texas and the U.S.

The CIA requires All Smiles to put in a Compliance Officer and do training, special claims reviews, etc.

But Malouf won't have to worry about any of that: He sold the company last year. And we suspect he's still pretty rich.

Maybe complaining to the Dental Association and not the Dental Board is the best way to go–however the media seems to get more results

 

Call Kurtis: Did Your Dentist Make a Mistake? Here’s What You Can Do « CBS Sacramento

A Sacramento viewer says his dentist messed up on his root canal and doesn’t think he should have to pay for the mistake. When he couldn’t get it fixed, he decided it was time to call Kurtis.

It’s been nearly two years of pain and dental bleeding for Thomas Coker of Sacramento, he said.

“This is my mouth, and I have to get it fixed,” he said.

His dentist, Dr. Tam Hgoc Nguyen of Roseville’s Healthy Image Dental, made a mistake ruining his tooth during a root canal, he said.

“I have a problem kissing my wife. I’m scared to death that — I’m trying not to get emotional,” Coker said, collecting his thoughts. “I’m scared to death that she might smell some blood on my breath or something.”

“It’s not very good for me,” he added.

But instead of repairing the problem, he said Healthy Image refused to see him again because he wouldn’t pay for the initial root canal.

“Why should I pay for something that they caused?” he said. “They need to fix it.”

Dr. Nguyen, and about 70 percent of California dentists, belong to the California Dental Assocation.

If dental patients suspect their dentist made a mistake, the trade organization has a peer review program.

“We’d rather try to handle it outside of the court system,” said Dr. Adrian Carrington, former chair of the Sacramento District Dental Society — a division of the CDA.

[yes, I bet that had much rather do that…  Geez]

If a customer complains about one of the CDA’s members, three independent dentists will examine the case in peer review.

The CDA says about half the time it rules in the patient’s favor, forcing the dentist to give a refund or cover the treatment needed.

“As a member of CDA, part of your membership is you abide by those rules,” Carrington said.

Thomas chose to complain to the state agency that oversees dentists — the Dental Board of California — which has the power to punish dentists.

An investigation with the Dental Board could take as long as 18 months, however.

[More like an eternity, if ever!]

After CBS13 got involved, Healthy Image and Coker are close to a resolution. Thomas said he can’t wait much longer.

[I’m thinking the news media and the public get the job done, better and faster]

Sedation media blitz, round two.

Three weeks ago the powers that be had a media blitz on sedation, here we go, with the followup.

More Dentist Anesthesiologists Are Needed in the Pediatric Setting

http://www.newswise.com/articles/more-dentist-anesthesiologists-are-needed-in-the-pediatric-setting

Released: 3/29/2012 1:00 PM EDT
Source: Allen Press Publishing Services
Newswise — The demand for dentist anesthesiologists in pediatric dental practices is on the rise. More than 70 percent of board-certified pediatric dentists in the United States provide mild to moderate sedation in their practices. Nearly that many, 60 to 70 percent, would use a dentist anesthesiologist if one were available. However, supply cannot yet meet the demand.
The current issue of the journal Anesthesia Progress reports on two congruent surveys, one of board-certified pediatric dentists and one of directors of pediatric dentistry and dental anesthesiology training programs. These surveys explore models of office-based dental sedation and future needs for deep sedation and general anesthesia services in pediatric dentistry.
As much as 12.3 percent of the general U.S. population has been reported to experience dental fear and anxiety. Among junior high and secondary school students, about 18 percent reported moderate dental fear. This is one of the reasons behind the increased need for sedation in dental practices.
Extensive treatment needs, anxiety, uncooperative but age-appropriate behavior, and limited cognitive functioning are among causes that require deep sedation or general anesthesia for young dental patients. Two-thirds of pediatric dentistry residency directors anticipate this need for dental anesthesiology services to increase in coming years. Among dental anesthesiology program directors, 88 percent report increased requests for anesthesiology services by pediatric dentists over the past 10 years.
The addition of a dentist anesthesiologist to a pediatric dental office team can provide depth and scope to a practice, enabling it to offer office-based sedation and anesthesia services. The number of dentist anesthetists currently practicing in the United States is relatively small, though. Considering the future need for these services in the pediatric setting, dental anesthesiology residencies are seeing cases involving young children and those with special health care needs.
Full text of “The Use of Office-Based Sedation and General Anesthesia by Board Certified Pediatric Dentists Practicing in the United States,”
and other articles, Anesthesia Progress, Vol. 59, No. 1, 2012, are available at “http://www.anesthesiaprogress.org/
”
###

FINALLY!! Texas State Dental Board Director resigns before big hearing. Come One, Come All to the April 11, 2012 10:30 Texas State Dental Board Meeting!

By Mary Ann Roser
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Statesman.com Article

Published: 8:47 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Sherri Meek, executive director of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, resigned earlier this month and will not be present at an April legislative hearing where board critics plan to testify.

Meek, who cited personal reasons for her resignation, is using up personal leave time before her resignation takes effect Aug. 31, said the board’s general counsel, Joy Sparks. Glenn Parker, former executive director of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, has been the dental board’s director of administration for the past several months and has taken over as acting executive director with a salary of $75,000, a $5,000 increase to compensate him for his additional duties, according to a letter from Meek to Parker.

Parker will be at the hearing of the House Public Health Committee at 10:30 a.m. April 11 in the Capitol Annex, E2.012.

At the hearing, lawmakers will hear public testimony about various health registries maintained by the state and concerns about the operations of the dental board, including its enforcement practices and a law that allows board members to act as expert witnesses in cases involving dentists, as long as the board does not object.

“No board member has ever asked for permission to serve as an expert,” Sparks said, adding that she “would have absolutely no problem” with an outright ban on it.

Members of the Houston-based Texans for Dental Reform say they plan to speak at the hearing and voice their ongoing concerns about the dental board, including uneven and unfair enforcement of the law; “overemphasis on protection of dentists;” and conflicts of interest.

The hearing is open to the public.

Sherri Meeks has been there since 2007, that’s when it all went to hell in a hand basket in Texas. I’m sure there were initially good intentions with the Frew v Texas lawsuit, but damn!! If I were a conspiracy theorist, I’d think that Private Equity firms and corporate practice of dentistry bandits (DGPA) were at artful play here.

I’m not really a betting person either, but I’d wager the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners are going to need a larger venue come April 11 at their 10:30 AM hearing!!  I also think, Sherri Meeks should be dragged to that hearing, hog tied! What a chicken shit, she is!

What do you think?

State pulls license of Medford dentist | MailTribune.com

 

State pulls license of Medford, Oregon dentist

March 27, 2012
By Mark Freeman
Mail Tribune

State pulls license of Medford dentist | MailTribune.com

A Medford dentist had his license suspended and faces possible revocation after allegedly falsifying dental charts, scamming dental-insurance companies and obtaining marijuana from a patient, state records show.

The Oregon Board of Dentistry ordered the indefinite emergency license suspension for Bongmin An, 43, calling him "a serious danger to public health and safety," according to the March 12 suspension order.

"This happens very infrequently," said Patrick Braatz, the board's executive director. "I've been with the board nine years, and this is probably only the second or third emergency suspension."

An has been licensed for dentistry in Oregon since January 2002 and practiced general dentistry at the Medford Dental Clinic on East Barnett Road in Medford, according to board of dentistry records.

An investigation by the Oregon board revealed that, between August 2009 and this past January, An provided dental treatment for numerous patients but failed to maintain chart notes for any of his patients, according to the dentistry board.

When chart notes were requested to validate insurance claims, An allegedly fabricated them to satisfy requests from dental-insurance companies, the board order states.

The board also has information alleging that An altered dates of treatment of patients in claims sent to dental-insurance companies so the companies would pay benefits for patients who were not entitled to them.

Board investigators also turned up allegations that An had obtained marijuana from a patient identified only as ML, but the board order did not specify when and how many times An allegedly received marijuana from the patient, the board order states.

Braatz said he did not know whether the marijuana was allegedly used as payment in lieu of dental work.

The order alleges that on at least one occasion An stored marijuana in the clinic's freezer and then offered to share it with his employees, the order states.

An was informed of the suspension March 12 just after the board vote, Braatz said. He has requested a hearing on the board's order before an administrative law judge, and one will be scheduled within 30 days, Braatz said.

An did not return telephone calls Monday seeking comment.

The suspension was immediate because An's alleged use of controlled substances "and his authority to prescribe controlled subscription drugs, and his failure to accurately document treatment that was provided to patients poses a great risk of harm to them," the order states.

Mom: Son's Teeth Extracted At School Without Consent - San Diego News Story - KGTV San Diego

Yes, I believe this is the exact same company I put up the open warning letter about just yesterday. The school is trying to get out of it’s responsibility, saying it’s because there are budget cuts and no school nurse!  WHAT!  The school nurse was practicing dentistry too?!!  Lord help us all! Schools need to stay out of the medical field and keep to the three R’s.

See the video at the website

SAN DIEGO -- A local mother is outraged after her 9-year-old son came home from school with four fewer teeth.

"I was livid," said Tina Richardson, mother of 9-year-old Alexander Henry. "I jumped out of my car. I ran back to the school. They were all, 'What's wrong? What's wrong?' I was shaking."

Alexander, a student at Freese Elementary School in Lomita, currently takes part in the Big Smiles Program, an organization that is contracted by the San Diego Unified School District to provide dental care at no cost to hundreds of local children.

Richardson said she signed a form in September, which she believed authorized Big Smiles to examine her son's mouth. Two months later, she received a separate "Exatraction Authorization Form" that indicated Alexander had several teeth with cavities. Richardson said she never signed or returned the form.

"I still have the form here in my hand," she said. "I did not return it to the Big Smiles Corporation. I did not give them permission to pull my son's teeth."

Four of Alexander's teeth -- three on the bottom left, one on the top left -- were pulled at the school by a dentist because two were allegedly loose and the others had cavities in them. The teeth were removed in an empty classroom, instead of in a sterile room or at the nurse's office.

"I hope this isn't going on all over the district somewhere, where they're just going into classrooms and extracting teeth out of children's heads," Richardson said.

A representative for Big Smiles told 10News the original form Richardson signed in September gave Big Smiles permission to extract the teeth.

Late Thursday afternoon, Big Smiles issued the following statement to 10News:

Big Smiles provides quality dental care to children in a school setting. It is our practice to always obtain informed consent and to only provide procedures that are medically necessary. We cannot provide details of this specific case without proper consent given federal laws that protect the privacy of the patient.

Jennifer Gorman, SD Unified's Nursing & Wellness program manager, said it was her understanding Richardson had signed an authorization form. She said they would still look into what happened, even though this probably won't be the last medical problem in local schools.

"These things, other things are going to happen that are beyond our control," Gorman said.

According to Gorman, a significant problem is the lack of school nurses, many of whom have been cut from the school district because of budget cuts. Gorman said a nurse would have been able to oversee Big Smiles' procedures and completion of authorization forms.

Mom: Son's Teeth Extracted At School Without Consent - San Diego News Story - KGTV San Diego

Where does Hoecker get his dough?

Here we have a map of the business of Chad B. Hoecker, DDS of Ocean Dental Centers, another Medicaid dental mill, which has been allowed to infiltrate several states.

He actually has one telecommunication business called “Buck The System”.  LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for a much larger view of the map.

I’ve not been able to locate it, but I’m sure there is some Private Equity firm behind him.  However he does have a Private Equity Firm cash management company called Focal Point.

Small Smiles still soliciting dentists to come to work–it’s wonderful they say!! ROTFLMAO

I just get so tickled with I get stuff like this.

Here we have a flier that Missy Green sent out of the Small Smiles Colorado office, just this week, trying to solicited dentists to come to work for them! 

My first question is what about the Kochenbergers?  Jake and Jenna, did they give it up being - slave hunters for Church Street Health Management? 

Well, clearly Missy Green is stilling trying to recruit. Wonder how she tells sells to dentists how wonderful it will be working for the company saving the underserved children across America with the company in bankruptcy, even their $435 million dollar investment bank – Arcaptia-in ruins. That’s an audio I’d love to hear!

Right now we have people in some clinics who have not been paid their February pay checks. Some are working for pennies, if anything at all, since there are fewer victims to over-treat. Remember, if you’ve been there more than 6 months you are off the guaranteed salary payroll and strictly on the Collection Based Salary – commissions basically.

Heck, there is no telling how many employees who have stuck it out that will be on the “unsecured creditors” list soon. Remember, anything they owe after the filed for bankruptcy on February 20th could surely end up on that very list. 

I know, some are already on there, but they could be “another day older and deeper in debit” and owing their soul to the “company store”.. Why is that dang song in my head… lol

As one person pointed out, they can’t close the 3 patient a day clinics since those are “assets” they need to sell…  Oh, wait, they don’t own those clinics, right?  ROTFLMAO! 

Gosh, dangit!  I just can’t keep that straight in my head. Own, don’t own, owner dentists, lead dentists, associate dentists…  Never have gotten the exact definition of an “owner” dentist, well, not officially, but I have heard it explained on audio.

I guess the owners of those clinics should just sell the equipment and move on.  The owners don’t even have to worry about breaking the lease do they, since Church Street Health Management has their name on those leases.  ROTFLMAO!

Chesterfield dentist arrested for practicing without a license | WTVR.com – Richmond News & Weather from WTVR Television CBS 6

 

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – Police arrested a man for practicing dentistry without proper licensing, according to a press release from Chesterfield County Police. Juan Polanco Dominguez, 44, ran an office out of his Chesterfield County home, police said.

Dominguez was charged with four felonies and five misdemeanors including practicing dentistry without a permit and violation of the professions and occupations act. Dominguez was held on a $15,000 secured bond.

Police want anyone with information about Dominguez to call Chesterfield Police Department at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660 or text the code tip699 and sent to 274637 (CRIMES)

Chesterfield dentist arrested for practicing without a license | WTVR.com – Richmond News & Weather from WTVR Television CBS 6

Texas, feds take action on orthodontic fraud | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth

 

NEWS 8 INVESTIGATES

DALLAS — A Dallas dentist has agreed to pay the state and federal government $1.2 million to resolve allegations that he submitted false orthodontic claims under Medicaid.

Dr. Richard Malouf, former majority owner of All Smiles Dental Center, allegedly submitted false Medicaid claims between 2004 and 2007.

News 8 reported on Malouf's lavish homes and two multimillion dollar corporate jets. Malouf did not admit any wrongdoing or liability in his settlement.

He is one of several orthodontists highlighted for multimillion dollar billings under Medicaid.

Eleven dental operations statewide have had their state funds suspended for credible allegations of fraud in billing the Texas Medicaid Orthodontics program. This follows a 10-month News 8 investigation of medicaid orthodontics in Texas, which found the state spends more on braces for poor children than the rest of the nation combined.

"Something's wrong and I want my money back," said Texas Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound). Nelson called a hearing to look into how Texas spent $424 million on orthodontics under Medicaid between 2008 and 2010.

Medicaid does not cover cosmetic orthodontics, but a News 8 investigation found that tens of thousands of children received procedures at taxpayer expense.

"What we really want is, we don't want people to do it," said Texas Sen. Bob Duell (R-Rockwall).

Was this the meeting that started the corporate dentistry phenom?

Here is a 2004 picture of the group it appears may have been the one who planned the take over of modern dentistry. They called this meeting a “CEO Consortium “ and it took place June 10, 2004 at the “Institute at Heartland Dental Care”. All but one or two went on to become the founders of the Dental Group Practice Association which now includes corporate CEO’s in Canada and Australia as well as dental supply companies, products companies and our favorite corporate dentistry law firm, Waller Lansden  Dortch and Davis.










Pictured above is: Dr. Rick Workman, Mike Bileca, Steve Thorne, Mitchell B. Olan, Mark Freidman, Bob Fontana, Kirk Huntsman, Dr. Jeff Moos, Douglas W. Brown.

Was this the meeting where the idea to sell this illegal business model to Private Equity was born? What were the Dental Practice Acts in 2004? How many of these guys should have been in jail then? What about now?
Where are they now
Dr. Rick Workman – still with Heartland Dental, Vice President of the Dental Group Practice Association, not in jail.
Mike Bileca – Florida State Representative, still with Towncare Dental, Treasurer of the Dental Group Practice Association and not in jail.
Stephen (Steve) E. Thorne lV – remains at Pacific Dental, President of the Dental Group Practice Association and not in jail.
Mitchell B. Olan -  Still CEO of Dental Care Alliance/Gentle Dental Group Services, not in jail.
Mark E. Friedman – CEO of UAI Technology, Inc. President of Mid-Jersey Realty, LLC, Board of Directors of Klein Decisions, and not in jail.
Bob Fontana – Still reigning king at Aspen Dental, wanting to bring dental service to the “underserved” and not in jail.
R. Kirk Huntsman – Dental One, which was supported by ABN AMRO Private Equity, merged with DentalCare Partners to become DentalOne Partners, with Kirk as joined up with the disgusting Reachout Healthcare America crew, recently wrote an article on how to beat the Dental Practice Management groups he largely assisted in creating, when at the same time he started Nexus Dental Alliance, which is not a Dental Practice Management, it’s even better, it’s his Dental Practice Management Group, he has the R. Kirk and Julie M. Huntsman Foundation, he is not in jail.
Dr. Jeff Moos – Still with Mid-West Dental that merged with Mountain Dental and backed by Private Equity firm Friedman, Fleischer & Lowe of Kool Smiles fame, he is not in jail.
Douglas W. Brown – Mr. Brown is eyeball deep in a number of the dental mills, Affordable Care, DentalOne Partners, Dental Works, Dental Care Partners, Secretary of the Dental Group Practice Association, not in jail.

Kool Smiles files suit against law firm taking personal injury cases - I’m thinking this is NOT a good idea for Freidman Fleischer & Lowe; Doug Brown or Kevin Miller…

…Dentistry of Brownville, P.C. or NCDR, LLC, or KS TX, P.C. or  whatever name Kool Smiles dental centers are using.

You have a Private Equity firm behind the Kool Smiles name. You have a Private Equity firm basically practicing dentistry. You have a Private Equity firm setting up dummy professional corporations in many states, Texas included. You have a crooked dentist, Dr. Tu Tran with his name all over Dentistry of Brownsville, PC and he doesn’t even practice in Texas or any other state for that matter!  He lives outside Atlanta. According to Texas records, NCDR, LLC is “governed” by Kool Smiles Acquisition Corporation-400 EAST GALLERIA PARKWAY SE, STE. 800
ATLANTA , GA 30339

There are thousands of parents complain their children are being injured and abused with unnecessary and substandard dental treatment. These same complaints have been coming from Kool Smiles clinics across the nation for 5 years. The parents are claiming of harsh and brutal touching and manhandling of their children to deliver that dental care. All for the simple reason to bill Medicaid for as much as they can in as quickest amount of time. Maybe parents have taken photos, made audio and video recordings of the children screaming and have decided to take action against the dentist and the company responsible for it. Maybe some support staff at the dental centers have done the same.
So, what does the company do? It files suit against the law firm taking the cases, citing “Copyright Infringement”.  Seriously??!!

5:12 –CV-00036
Monday March 19, 2012
NCDR, LLC
Dentistry of Brownsville, P.C.
KS TX, PC
vs.
Mauze & Bagby, PLLC
George Watts Mauze, II
James Thomas Bagby, III
Texas Southern District Court
Tradmark Infringement
Kool Smiles v Mauze & Bagby

Original Complaint	Exhibit 5 [doc 1-6]
Exhibit 1[doc 1-2]	Exhibit 6 [doc1-7]
Exhibit 2 [doc1-3]	Exhibit 7 [doc 1-8]
Exhibit 3 [doc 1-4]	Exhibit 8 [doc 1-9]
Exhibit 4 [doc1-5]	Exhibit 9 [doc 1-10]

Friedman, Fleischer & Lowe (FFL)

FFL Partners Executive Investors
Kool Smiles Investment
Midwest Dental Investment

Medicaid Dental Mill-Dental Dreams opens up in New Mexico–Family Smiles NM

Dr. Frank VonWesternhagen the faux “owner”

Family Smiles NM

Dental Braces: Once Again Texas Makes News with Braces

 

Dental Braces: Once Again Texas Makes News with Braces

March 20, 2012 By Jim Du Molin Leave a Comment

What is it with Medicaid dental care and braces in Texas?

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which administers Medicaid in Texas for dental braces, has filed a request to be reimbursed for $7.5 million in alleged fraudulent claims it paid to Amarillo orthodontist Dr. Michael Goodwin.

Federal authorities also moved to seize the commercial and personal bank accounts of Dr. Goodwin and his wife as part of a probe linked to a Medicaid fraud scheme, according to the Amarillo Globe-News.

In 2008, Dr. Goodwin became an individual Medicaid provider, which allowed him to bill Medicaid only for services personally provided by the orthodontist.

Soon after the change, the Amarillo orthodontist was reported as scheduling up to 400 Medicaid patients a day and allegedly billing the government for orthodontic treatment he did not perform. The Globe-News further reports that patients and former employees likened the Amarillo Medicaid fraud scheme to “herding cattle.”

Church Street Health Management–Small Smiles Dental, now Arcaptia Bank files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy…Ahhh….Maaaan,

I’m broken hearted, probably won’t sleep for weeks worrying about how many virgins await these assholes in bankruptcy court hell. Evidently physically and emotionally abusing and traumatizing children isn’t as profitable as Arcapita was told, I don’t reckon. First Islamic Bank, Arcapita, it doesn’t really matter what they name the company, crime just doesn’t pay. ACAS, next? According to the “chatter” in the court room last Thursday in Nashville, ACAS holds “Senior” debt of this boondoggle. (oops, I used that word, “chatter” again.  They don’t like that word…  lol..dangit, if they would quit chatting, there wouldn’t be so much “chatter” now would there!!  Just saying…  Sheila, think about it… think of all the times you’ve been out and about talking this crap…you just never know who is listening!)

Man, this filing should be interesting!! Sharia Law; Virgins; Allah; Jihad – no telling what all will be listed.  LOL

The Smile Behind Small Smiles
Atif A. Abdulmalik

---

Arcapita’s Chapter 11 Petition

Arcapita Files for Bankruptcy Protection as Debt Talks Fail

By Arif Sharif and Tiffany Kary - Mar 19, 2012 10:48 AM CT Mon Mar 19 15:48:28 GMT 2012

                                           Arcapita Bank BSC, the owner of Irish power utility Viridian Group Ltd., filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. after failing to reach an agreement with creditors on a $1.1 billion loan due this month.

Arcapita, formerly known as First Islamic Investment Bank, and five affiliates sought Chapter 11 protection today in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, listing more than $1 billion in both debts and assets. Arcapita’s board approved the process “to protect their business and assets and implement a comprehensive restructuring,” the Manama, Bahrain-based private-equity firm said in an e-mailed statement today.

The bankruptcy filing is a “logical step by the company to protect its foreign investments and from individual creditors going after the company’s assets in Europe, the U.S. and Asia,” Serge Lioutyi, a London-based distressed debt trader at Citigroup Global Markets Ltd. said in an e-mail today. It “will help the company focus on reaching a consensual agreement with creditors rather than worrying about individual claims.”

Arcapita is among companies in Bahrain that have sought protection to restructure liabilities after the global credit crisis cut their access to the debt market and as asset prices declined. Awal Bank BSC, a Bahrain-based wholesale bank, filed for Chapter 11 in October 2010, while Gulf Finance House BSC reached an agreement with a group of banks led by WestLB AG on a new two-year $100 million Islamic loan.

Failed Refinancing

The costs to insure Bahrain’s debt against default fell two basis points to 365 today, according to credit default swap data from CMA, which is owned by CME Group Inc. and compiles prices quoted by dealers in the privately negotiated market.

 

Jewish dentist files suit against Arab–Midwest Dental

 

Jewish Dentist Files Lawsuit Against Arab Muslim Discrimination By . . . Jewish Bosses – READ the Complaint

By Debbie Schlussel

You may have heard about the Orthodox Jewish dentist suing “the Arab Muslim dental company” in Dearbornistan.  But it’s not exactly what you think or what’s been reported by lazy mainstream media reporters who never do their homework.  In this case, I’m referring to the fat-assed Arabista who works at the Detroit Newsistan, who can’t do an iota of research or ask a decent question to save her life (Oralandar Brand-Williams, whom many believe is being paid off by HAMASCAIR and other Muslims).  Read the federal civil rights complaint and note what’s missing:  the name of the owners and bosses at the company.  Guess who they are?  It’s not what you’d guess.

On the one hand, I always wonder about Jews who think they will get a fair shake and/or respect for their religious observances by Muslims in Dearbornistan (or anywhere else).  But that’s not exactly what’s going on here . . . or at least not the full story.  I hope Dr. Mark Ellis wins his lawsuit against “Midwest Dental of Dearborn, PLLC.”  You should note, however, that while he alleges he was discriminated in favor of Arab Muslims and that the Arab Muslims were treated better, I did a little research.  And, lo and behold, the company for which he works–which owns and operates dental offices throughout Michigan, all of which appear to be dental “mills”–is owned by people with very Jewish-sounding names, who live not in Dearbornistan, but in New Jersey.  So, apparently, they are Jewish dhimmis, or have left the management of the Dearbornistan office to discriminatory Muslims (redundant phrase).  Either way, they are the ones behind the discrimination, doing so apparently to garner Arab Muslim business and dollars.  It’s bad enough when Muslims do this.  It’s far worse when Jews do it to appease Muslims.  And that’s apparently what’s going on here. In the 1940s, people like the Feilers had a nickname: kapo.

READ THE REST HERE

Jewish Dentist Files Lawsuit Against Arab Muslim Discrimination By . . . Jewish Bosses – READ the Complaint

So many minds, so little clue–A CSHM Bankruptcy Hearing

Today I made the trek to attend one of the hearings for Church Street Health Management. A court room full attorney’s in dark suits, white shirts and ties but I bet if you asked what assets they were there to talk about “selling”  3/4 of them couldn’t answer and the other 1/4 would be perjuring themselves if they answered.

Actually one of the suits wasn’t sure who he was there to represent, I kid you not, but most of us that know the set up totally understand why he would be confused. He knew he was there for the “Mezz group”. He just didn’t know what that entailed or what all fell under that umbrella. I understood completely. After a short discussion with two other attorney’s standing in the isle, he figured out by process of elimination he was there for the Carlyle Mezzadine Partners, and possibly CIT, but not sure on that one.  Even funnier was listening to them trying to decide if their debt was “secured” or “non-secured” debt. Personally I don’t thing a lick of it is secured! One was trying to include the “leases” but don’t those “leases” belong to the dentist who own the clinics?  Oh, wait, that’s the lie!  Sorry, I got confused myself.

Most of the day was spent with them, and by “them” I mean the two gaggles of attorneys hammering out details on “how” the sale would be handled, but not the actual sale. It seemed they thought they had it all lined out, but then there seemed to be an issue as to Arcaptia being included in the definition of “existing lender”. Personally I would put Arcaptia in the definition of “existing loser” or “existing creditor” since they have a $1Billion dollar payment due in a week or two.

There was a whole lot of huffing, puffing, heads shaking and blown out cheeks.  One, who I called “curly” was nervous as a whore in church.. Pardon the pun! I understand, he was there representing Arcapita and from King and Spalding, which explains his nervousness.

Finally, they came to some agreement and brought it back to the judge. The attorney representing CSHM said they didn’t want to present “evidence” at that time, but would file it in a memoranda later today. I suspect they didn’t want me to hear the “evidence” but I could be wrong. Not that is mattered, I do have access to the documents, so he probably should have given it verbally. Everyone had a copy of it, and they judge had looked it over as well.

The Judge told him to have the memoranda to him by morning, but that he planned on signing the proposed order and stressed to all the suits that if they had any objections they better speak up right now…you could have heard a pin drop. Actually you could hear my pen writing. I took a lot of notes!

However, all this was totally boring compared to listening to Sheila Sawyer!

It was announced last year, the partner ,at Waller law was such a a big fan of CSHM she was giving up her “partner” status at Waller and joining the criminal organization of CSHM, well they didn’t say criminal organization, that’s my term.

Well, they were spot on! She is a corporate person to the core. I expected her to whip off her brown suit and reveal a cheerleading getup, pompoms and all and a rah rah and a couple of cartwheels down the isle of the courtroom.

Get this! – Here all these people, many flown in from across the country to this hearing talking about how the sale of CSHM will proceed and what is she doing? She’s talking production!  I’m not kidding..CSHM’s favorite and only term “production”! 

She has some “sharp dressed man”’s ear and talking production and how to hire 5 or 6 more pedos, have them scheduled at the OR’s two days a week and the other three days of the week they could travel around mentoring and teaching the general dentists. Hmmm…  Ok, so they schedule them for the OR, two days a week. That means they are going to need patients to fills those two days of OR.…  a little bass ackwards to me. She said that would kill two birds with one stone.  Yep, she’s probably right on the kill rate!! She talked about a big week long brain storming session in the next week or two with Adair and I believe she said Kevin and Sue Seal, and revamping the standard of care.  I heard her mention OIG being “frustrated” with she threw up her hands like she really didn’t care.

And twice, not once but TWICE, she said they weren’t doing enough crowns!  I heard her mention Gloria, Terri and Susan… not sure what that was about.

But anyway, right here in the court room, full of attorneys’ representing companies they have screwed over because they got caught illegally practicing dentistry, and she’s talking PRODUCTION! 

I still can’t figure out why her and half the others aren’t in some federal prison!  Well, it’s not over yet, is it!?

Just saying…

Court Docket for Thursday March 15, 2012

 

Another “sedation propaganda” piece for the American consumer.

My questions, who is pushing these stories.  A hospital?  Some association or organization? Someone is, you can bet on that.  Only common thread between this one and the one last week in the NYT is – Janine Costantini.  If I had time tonight, I’d rip this thing from stem to stern…  Grrrr

Tiny Mouths Found Filled With Rotting Teeth - Staying Healthy News Story - KMGH Denver

AURORA, Colo. -- The operating rooms at Children's Hospital Colorado are packed with preschool kids needing dental procedures.

"We're booked five months out in the OR, and that's three days a week, two rooms a day. And it just keep increasing," said Janine Costantini, ambulatory practice director at Children’s Hospital Colorado. "The more we do the more we need."

The hospital staff is seeing more tiny mouths riddled with big dental problems.

“There were over 3,000 OR visits last year just for pediatric dentistry,” said Costantini.

7NEWS was there when a 4-year old boy went under anesthesia for treatment.

“Out of 20 baby teeth we’re treating 16,” said Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric Dentist, Mark Koch.

The pediatric dentistry team at Children's Hospital Colorado mapped out the boy's treatment including extractions, baby root canals and crowns.

“His mouth is in very bad shape. This is not unusual. This is the fourth case today, in this room,” said Pediatric dentist, Mark Koch.

The boy ended up on the operating table for treatment nine months after pediatric dentistry staff recommended treatment.

“It is a very safe and comfortable treatment, but it is very expensive. That is the problem," said Ulrich Klein, DMD, DDS, MS Chair of the Pediatric Dentistry program at Children's Hospital Colorado.

The average cost of treatment is $3,000.

Botox Training and Dermal Filler Training Course Outline, Schedule and Tuition

 

Botox Training and Dermal Fillers Training for Dentists Course Outline

• Patient assessment and consultation for botox and dermal fillers
• Indications and contraindications for these techniques
• Anatomy of the head, neck, and in depth instruction in the oral and maxillofacial structures including the neurophysiology, musculature and circulatory system
• Learn the physiology, pharmacology of facial injectable treatment
• Review of sterile technique as it relates to the use of injectable pharmacologic agents
• Safety and risk issues for botulinum toxin and dermal fillers injectable therapy
• Integrating botulinum neurotoxin and dermal filler therapy into dental therapeutic and esthetic treatment plans
• Botox training for therapeutic treatment of migraines, TMJ syndrome, facial pain and bruxism cases
• Beautiful lip augmentation and how to avoid giving your patients "duck" lips
• Enhancing the cupids bow to create a beautiful lip
• Volumizing the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, mentalis region and lifting up the corners of the mouth
• Smoothing lip lines and eliminating vertical "smokers" lines
• Learn the best treatment techniques including muscle sites, muscle depths, proper preparation and dilution for the best facial esthetic outcomes

Lost files on R. Kirk Huntsman discussion

The Dental Leader no longer exists other than in cached format. But I located this discussion and going to repost it.  I’m not sure when it was written, but here is the cached copy. By looking at the Wayback Machine, it was archived the first time in February 2001, and this News Letter was there at that time.  So this goes back a while. I guess, sadly, no one listened to Dr. Maroon.  Look where we are in 2012! Maybe too much nitrous in the operatories and folks were sleeping!

The Dental Leader Inc - Michael Maroon, DMD, FACE, FAGD - Editor & Publisher
39 Webster Square Road, Berlin, CT 06037
Email: contact@TheDentalLeader.com (no longer works)

Great Article...Great Newsletter

Mike,

I thoroughly enjoyed the June issue of your newsletter, especially "There’s Always Tomorrow." I read quite a few parallels to my own life in that article.

The rest of the newsletter also contained quite a bit of meat along with some thought-provoking, insightful articles. Keep up the good work!

Dr. Kit Weathers, Griffin, GA

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The Devil Revisited

Well, I don’t quite know how to respond to all this DPMC (Dental Practice Management Company) stuff that is starting to manifest in our profession. However, I do know when I see a biased and self-serving article when I read one. Case in point, the reply of a one Mr. R. Kirk Huntsman (sounds like an attorney to me Vern) to the article written by a fellow dentist Mike Maroon.

I believe Mr. Huntsman referred to Dr. Mike’s article as a condescending diatribe (a long, violent, or blustering speech, according to Webster). This description would more appropriately fit the pen that wrote the reply. Dear R. Kirk, should I call you "R" or "Kirk", the R. Kirk just didn’t sit well with my simple Midwestern mind. Makes me feel like I gotta have sum one ta represent me. So I’ll jist call ya Kirk then. I’m sorry, I’m jist a Dennust. Ya know...sore on the hind end from rollin’ over so many times to ya’all. So Kirk, please enlighten me on your credentials that enable you to speak so intelligently about the dental profession. Are you one of us? Do you have a DDS or DMD degree? Or, are you yet another wonderful, charismatic and caring purveyor of management expertise who beckons to save us by convincing us that big brother (DPMC) is here for the good of all?

ATTN: Dental Mill Dentists - Dentist charged with offensive touching of young patient; he put his hand over the child’s mouth and told him to “shut up”

Sussex County Delaware

A Sussex County dentist has been charged with offensive touching of an 8-year-old patient who began screaming after a medical procedure, state police said today.

The incident occurred about 10 a.m. Wednesday at the office of Dr. Bruce Fisher, First State Oral Surgery, in the 33000 block of Wescoats Road near Lewes, police said.

When the child began screaming, “Dr. Fisher immediately covered the victim’s mouth with his hand and told him to ‘shut up,’” said Master Cpl. Gary Fournier.

He said a family member who was in the room during the procedure informed police Wednesday afternoon.

After police obtained a warrant, Fisher, 44, of Rehoboth, turned himself in to state police today. He was arraigned and released on $500 unsecured bail.

The boy was not injured, Fournier said.

Police asked anyone with information on this or other incidents to call investigators at (302) 856-5850, ext. 206. Anonymous tips may be texted to 274637 (CRIMES) beginning with “DSP.”

Dentist charged with offensive touching of young patient | The News Journal | delawareonline.com

Imagine this dude was arrested and charged for “improper touching” by putting his had over the child’s mouth. Imagine the jails that would need built for the dental mill dentists who do so much worse ever day.

Heads up parents! Call the police before you ever leave the clinic!

As for the dental mill dentists, look out! The next picture could be YOU!

KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF THE KIDS!!

Virginia Regulatory Town Hall–Board of Dentistry is holding an open meeting today concerning a rule change requiring training in the 6 Links to Survival

March 9, 2012
Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website

First I want to say that I understand “good” reasons when someone opposes something. There are always two sides and views to everything. It’s the lame and idiotic excuses that gall me to no end.

Today is the 5 year anniversary of Raven Maria Blanco’s death. Raven died because a dental office was not prepared for a medical emergency. 19 children have died in the last five years from ill-prepared dentists and staff, when 6 common sense steps could have made the difference.

Comments from the public closed on February 19, 2012.  Below is a sample of those who sent comments opposing the rule change. 

These are copied and pasted as they were posted on the regulatory agency website. My comments are in [italics and brackets]

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Those OPPOSED

Commenter: Watchdog for Coalitions Against The Dental Profession (CADP)

Be Cautious! Don't be Fooled, Don't play into the empathy game!

This Raven Blanco Foundation may be a plublicity stunt to raise funds, that support their self created non profit slary jobs. Everything about their web site is very exploitive. They list no financial discloures, no board of directors/advisors. They are certainly following the guide for creating an issue that will bring them money and influence, and as they say power. And like all these nonprofits, they appeal to ones suffering to gain support.  They can be dangerous, just like all of our local dental nonprofits, run by non dentist, unlisenced advocates if you will, who want to be policy makers over dental matters of which they are trully ignorant. I would question the credibility and intentions of this group. Leave the emotional baggage out of any descision making. Dont treat victims as equals, they are not!

[ Apparently the group has problems with “unlicensed” citizens advocating for change in events that directly affect them. This is confusing to me. Who else would advocate for change? Those unaffected?  Financial “disclosures” are available online and Mr. Blanco, President and his Executive Director who puts in about 50 hours a week draw ZERO dollars from the foundation!  ZERO!  Rather, Mr. Blanco gave a large some to the foundation! Yes, I would question the intention of this group as well, since you will be amazed at what you find. You’ll also find out what wonderful people they are and how much they help other parents whose children are killed by ill-prepared dentists who are sedating children. They assist with emotional support, and financial support.  Helping families with funeral expenses or organize fundraising.They travel to every dental convention they possible can and promote safety in sedation dentistry. How can anyone be faulted for promoting safe sedation of children? The spokesperson for this group sounds as though they know the Blanco’s, are locals and have an ax to grind.]

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Commenter: Dr. E. Thomas Elstner, Jr.

Training for medical emergencies

There should be provisions for practitioners who do not administer local anesthetics in their office setting.  Currently there is no ACLS focusing on the dental setting.

[if this person is referring to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), then with 8 deaths in the last 12 months, maybe ACLS should be focused on the dental setting.  Think?]

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Commenter: Dr. Paul W. Callahan

Another costly regulation that does nothing to help public welfare

It is the responsibility of ALL Virginia Regulatory Boards to protect the public.  Any death is is one too many, but statistically it is probably safer to go to the dentist that cross the street.   These proposed regulations are already the Standard of Care in most offices.  A regulation such as this would cost hundreds of thusands of dollars for most practicioners to follow; meaning the time spent documenting training, paying for training for a large staff when not everyone needs to be trained at the same level, etc.  So who pays for all this unnecessary documentation and training?   The average Virginia resident in the form of increased dental fees.   Is this what we want for our patients?

[This is just a wild guess, but I doubt your patients would mind a slight increase in your fee to know you were prepared to save their life if an emergency arose.]

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Edison dentist charged with fraud after S. Plainfield fire

MyCentralJersey.com

A Metuchen, NJ dentist was charged on Thursday, March 8, 2012 with falsifying the dental records of three children who were among five victims of a house fire on Feb. 23 in South Plainfield.

Paresh Patel, 46, of Laurie Lane, Edison, NJ was charged with falsifying or tampering with dental records and obstruction of the administration of law by providing the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office with false dental records of three of the children who died during the fire.

He also was charged with insurance fraud by submitting five or more false claims totaling more than $1,000, and was charged with five counts of health-care claim fraud.

Patel, owner of the Metuchen dental clinic Healthy Smiles Dental Associates, was charged after initial efforts to identify the youngsters determined Patel provided records that showed certain dental work had never been performed. The false records prevented and delayed positive identification of the children.

Police further determined that after falsifying dental records between April and May 2011, Patel billed Medicaid for the procedures that never were performed.

Five family members perished in the Feb. 23 blaze in South Plainfield and four other family members were injured.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan says Paresh Patel,  was charged with fraud after he provided records that showed certain dental work had never been performed on the children even though he had billed Medicaid for the work.

Patel's attorney, Lawrence Y. Bitterman, says he Patel has been practicing for 20 years and plans to enter a not guilty plea during his court appearance this week.

Edison dentist charged with fraud after S. Plainfield fire