This week’s second most stupid story, with no point whatsoever.

 

July 30, 2012|By Tim Darragh, The Morning Call

 

Medicaid cuts mean less dental care for poor

Allentown endodontist is driven to retirement as Pennsylvania eliminates root canal coverage through Medicaid.

Jerome Grossinger has closed his endodontistry practice (root canals)… (BEN MORRISON, THE MORNING…)

 

 

The phone is still ringing off the hook in Dr. Jerome Grossinger's quarters in an office building in Allentown's West End.

But his office isn't taking appointments.

The 77-year-old endodontist, a dentist who specializes in root canals, has relieved his patients' excruciating pain for the past 42 years, focusing in recent years on low-income and disabled people covered by Medicaid.

He is 77 for heavens sake!!!  The way this story is presented you would think he was in his prime and had a wife and 4 little ones at home – two still in diapers.

But instead of treating the 15-20 new patients he'd typically see every week, Grossinger recently sat alone in his office and scanned years of patient records in bags, furniture stacked in the waiting room and the odds and ends of four decades of health care being readied for the Dumpster.

Grossinger is reluctantly calling it quits.

"I cannot believe this is happening to me," he said, recently. "I'm really in a daze about this."

Seriously!!!??  Look, Dr. Grossinger is probably a great guy and has had a thriving business for many many years, but to make him the example of Medicaid cuts??!!

 

ADA Mass Email Today Promoting Private Equity Corporate Owned Dentistry.

Just in case you were unsure where the ADA stood on private equity and corporate owned illegal dental chains, you don’t need to be. 

Folks at Benco Dental are up and at ‘em early..

Early this morning this website started getting loads of “hits” from Benco Dental. They finally decided to leave a comment - See below. 

 

vanian1 <vanian.one@gmail.com>

I find it ironic that you would post this white paper from an ambulance chasing law firm who seeks to profit from trumped up claims in Texas. Can you see the irony in that, Ms Hagan?

 

What I personally find ironic is someone with the screen name vain1, was trying to hide their IP and visit anonymously! 

Benco Dental News

Benco Dental Co. Wins $31,346,173 Federal Contract

Jun 7 12
Benco Dental Co. was awarded a $31,346,173 federal contract by the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, for distribution of general dental supplies for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.

Somnomed Ltd. and Benco Dental Co. Form Strategic Partnership

Jun 4 12
Somnomed Ltd. announced the formation of a strategic partnership with Benco Dental Co. As part of this partnership, SomnoMed will work with Benco Dental and its representatives to keep customers up-to-date on the latest developments in dental sleep medicine through in-person and online seminars with the SomnoMed Academy. Benco Dental customers will have access to SomnoMed's extensive range of products and services including; SomnoDent(R) apnea therapy, SomnoMed Health Claim Support Line, SomnoMed MATRx(TM) and SomnoBrux(TM)

Unethical Private-Equity-Owned Dental Clinics Receive Well Deserved Attention

Unethical Private-Equity-Owned Dental Clinics Receive Well Deserved Attention

It’s been a bad few weeks in the limelight for private equity investors masquerading on the down-low as charity dentists when what they’re really after is making millions by performing unnecessary dental work on poor kids and then getting Medicaid to pay for it. With the way everyone’s acting, you’d think it was the mortgage crisis all over again – as if working class and poor folk were nothing more than pawns in a game played by Wall Street investors, but financed with American tax dollars.

Download the pdf.

Cheapskate, dentist, Dr. Stephen Stein, has Patient Test Positive for Hepatitis C

KUSA TV

DENVER - A 9News viewer, who wanted to remain anonymous, says her husband tested positive for hepatitis C this week after a major health warning from Colorado's Public Health Department.

The positive lab results for hepatitis C, shown to 9News, comes nearly two weeks after 8,000 people received letters from Colorado's Health Department about oral surgeon Dr. Stephen Stein.

Dr. Stein is accused of re-using needles and syringes for days at a time on his patients over the course of 12 years. He had two practices - one in Denver and one in Highlands Ranch.

The 9News viewer's husband went to Dr. Stein for several procedures. His last procedure, done September of 2009, Dr. Stein pulled her husband's wisdom teeth, she said.

She received a letter from the state, much like many of Dr. Stein's other patients, saying her husband should be tested, she said.

The positive results for hepatitis C came from her husband's doctor's office this week, and they have ordered further testing.

Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver and leads to inflammation.

"Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have no symptoms," according to the Mayo Clinic's website. "In fact, most people don't know they have the hepatitis C infection until liver damage shows up, decades later, during routine medical tests."

The 9News viewer said tests for HIV and hepatitis B came back negative for her husband.

A nurse at her husband's doctor's office said there was no definitive way to link the positive hepatitis C results to Dr. Stein's practice, she said.

A letter from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment warned patients that testing could not determine how or where patients would become infected.

To date, the health department has not released numbers of patients that might be infected after the warnings went out.

Colorado Department of Public Health Spokesman Mark Salley said they are surveying patients and will release numbers of people infected, if there are numbers to be released, next Wednesday.

Small Smiles Job posting full of crapola

REGISTERED NURSE

Small Smiles Dental Centers of South Washington D.C.

REGISTERED NURSE (PART-TIME)

SMALL SMILES DENTAL CENTERS OF SOUTH WASHINGTON DC

SEND RESUME TO: [Click Here to Email Your Resumé]

Are you looking for a fun and fast paced environment (there is that “fast paced” term again. Aren’t they in enough trouble for being so “fast paced”) where you can make a difference in the lives of others? Then join our team at Small Smiles Dental Centers where we fulfill a very special undertaking-providing superior dental care to underserved children and young adults between the ages of 2 and 20. Our company mission speaks for itself - "We give America's kids the smiles they deserve". (they actually trademarked this term)

Small Smiles Dental Centers, the nation's most experienced dental provider (it’s also the nations most bankrupt and most federally investigated) to children who qualify for government insurance and has been named one of Fast Company Magazine’s 2007 (5 years ago!!!)Fast 50 Companies doing good in the world [LMAO!!!]. We have over 60 dental centers (looks like they are down 12 clinics, that’s not “fast growing”, that’s fast dropping!!) in the United States operating as individual practices (they may be operating as, but they are not individual practices, I can’t believe they are still trying to sell this horseshit!) where each team member takes our mission seriously. In order to accomplish that assignment we must hire great people! And we have an excellent opportunity for an ambitious REGISTERED NURSE to grow our state-of-the-art dental center.

Due to our continued growth, (these folks are delusional!, they have lost 12 clinics in as many months! That is NOT growth! I believe these people actually believe their own hype!) are currently seeking a REGISTERED NURSE. This state-of-the-art dental office provides quality dental care to children and young adults. We offer benefits and bonus opportunity! Spanish bilingual preferred.

Responsible for preparing post anesthesia areas for patients, monitoring patients’ vital signs, administering medications, coordinating planned nursing care with other health care team members, assisting in proper preparation of supplies, medications, and equipment, Patient Management, and Treatment Room Management.

(Scary thought of these people putting out the budget numbers, quotas for the number of sedations required each week. For instance Colorado Springs is “budgeted” $600 per day or an average of $12k a month. DC is “budgeted” $550 per day or an average of $11,500k a month, while Pueblo is "budgeted” $23k a month. However, Charleston SC is where they sedate the most, with a target of $53k a month. So when the clinics don’t make these numbers, what do you think happens? )

 

Requirements

•        Comprehensive and current knowledge of nursing theory and practice.

•        Thorough knowledge of and ability to implement principles of aseptic technique.

• Knowledge of surgical procedures, techniques and consequent nursing interventions.
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, philosophies, goals and objectives of ambulatory surgery
• Minimum of two years post anesthesia experience desired.

•        Ability to approach his/her responsibilities with a rational, reasoned approach.

•        Must be able to organize and prioritize assignments, duties and responsibilities.

• Must be able to identify, analyze and implement effective problem-solving techniques.
• Display initiative, flexibility and adaptability in his/her career approach.
• Ability to maintain a cheerful, poised, professional manner in the face of adversity.
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, licensed as a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse in practicing state, BCLS certified, ACLS certified REQUIRED

We reward, value [they certainly do] and invest greatly in our team members. All full-time team members are eligible for medical insurance, long and short-term disability insurance, dental, vision, and life insurance after 90 days employment. Additionally, we offer paid time off and 8 paid holidays, retirement plan, direct deposit, and promotional opportunity.

To learn more about Small Smiles Dental Centers, please be sure to visit our website at http://smallsmiles.com.

Remember to ask about our Employee Referral Program.

Energy Edge Technologies Corporation to Acquire 100% of Dutchess' Equity in Union Dental Holdings, Inc.

Energy Edge Technologies Corporation to Acquire 100% of Dutchess' Equity in Union Dental Holdings, Inc.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., July 31, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Union Dental Holdings, Inc. (Pink Sheets:UDHI) www.uniondental.com/ir -- a provider of multi-state dental services for union members, announced today it was informed by Energy Edge Technologies Corporation (OTC:EEDG) they had entered into a definitive agreement with Dutchess Private Equities Fund, LTD to purchase all of the Dutchess shares of equity, including all warrants in UDHI.

In 2005 UDHI completed and filed a registration statement with the Securities & Exchange Commission for a convertible Debenture and a Senior Note which was all converted into equity via shares of stock and a warrant at a later date. This initial financing was considered by many in the financial industry as "toxic financing" or "Death Spiral Financing" for micro cap stock companies who were trying to build their business models but could not obtain financing in any other manner for their company to go forward other than through the P.I.P.E. (Private Investment in Public Entity) type of financing.

 

Texas Stakeholder’s meeting cover a lot, offered no solutions.

In case anyone missed the Stakeholder’s webinar yesterday. Here is a link to it:  July 27, 2012 Texas Dental Stakeholder’s Meeting

They talked about patient recruiting. They talked about the criminal behavior and the $10k fines for each of the people who recruit each time they approach a person in one of their vans. But I didn’t hear anything about who was going to start stopping these vans and handing out those $10K “patient recruiting tickets”. They also mentioned how illegal it was to “hire” a company to recruit and it was illegal to work as a recruiter.

They talked about the horrors and trauma small children are experiencing at the massive number of low quality dental centers, like Kool Smiles, Small Smiles, All Smiles, The Smile Center. They even mentioned babies being tied down and traumatized by hundreds of Texas dentists who are committing Medicaid fraud. Needless to say they skimmed over that subject as fast as possible. Mentioned a couple of words about standards and tabled it for later discussion, as they have for the past 10 years! Hey guys, it’s still on the table, don’t you see it!

The attorney for the Texas Dental Board admitted they have the power to make the rules, but didn’t say a word about if they planned on enforcing the rules they already have in place or any news ones they might create.

They talked about the $63 thousand dollars the government is handing out to Medicaid providers, and stressed the dentists are in the category. Then they told how to apply, what criteria must be met and I believe someone gave a count of 461 dentists who have already signed up for their piece of the pie. I’m not sure but I thought I heard applause.

 

by BYRON HARRIS
Bio | Email
WFAA

Posted on July 27, 2012 at 7:42 PM

Updated yesterday at 7:42 PM

DALLAS - As Texas cracks down on questionable Medicaid dental payments, dentists' offices are going dark all over the state.

From 28th Street in Fort Worth, to Eureka Circle in Wichita Falls, to Amarillo, dentists who've already collected money from the state to treat Medicaid patients are now turning away those patients, because the dentists' Medicaid claims are being rejected. There are more than 4,300 Medicaid dentists in the state.

Tens of thousands of patients are affected. In 2010, Medicaid paid for braces on about 80,000 kids in Texas. Treatment commonly takes two years.

Since March, the Medicaid dental is managed by three Managed Care Organizations (MCO's)  which have stiffened standards. One MCO said 91 percent of new claims are being rejected.

Moms whose kids already have braces on their teeth are being told children's braces must come off halfway through treatment, that they must go to another clinic far from home, or that there will be no more treatment whatsoever.

Friday, Dr. John Roberts chaired his first stakeholder meeting as Texas HHS dental director. The old director left after News 8 discovered hundreds of millions of dollars of questionable payments under Medicaid orthodontics.

Dentists learned the three MCO's have different payment rates and differing standards. But the overall impression was that moving forward, the children with braces already on their teeth would receive treatment somehow.

"There are plans in place to continue treatment on patients, to re-evaluate patients, and to complete every patient's braces," said Dr. Robert Morgan of Children's Medical Center in Dallas, who attended the  meeting.
The meeting was also broadcast over the web for reporters and interested parties.

It was not clear how the process would exactly work.
If the state reassigns patients to new dentists, regardless of their original need for braces, it will cost millions for treatment which may have been unnecessary in the first place.

One example is All Smiles Dental Centers, which is being sued by the state for fraud. All Smiles told The Dallas Morning News it is eliminating orthodontic treatment at 13 clinics. One witness in the state's case against All Smiles said 95 percent of the dental chain's claims in a 300-patient sample were fraudulent.
All Smiles did not respond to News 8 efforts for clarification.

Related:

• Texas taxpayers pay big for straight teeth
• Questions surround lucrative Medicaid dental business
• Texas Medicaid problems may apply nationwide
• Crooked Teeth: Medicaid Millions
• Texas, feds take action on orthodontic fraud
• Outrage on Capitol Hill follows News 8 Medicaid probe
• Texas AG lawsuits spurred by WFAA dental investigation
• More stories about WFAA's Texas Medicaid orthodontics investigation

New Mexico Dental Board takes it easy on “Comfort Dental”- yet nails their employees. Same for Perfect Teeth and Birner Dental Management

New Mexico Dental Board takes it easy on “Comfort Dental”, yet nails their employees.

Note in each of these it mentions that the “Comfort Dental” clinic is “owned” by the dentist who is being sanctioned. We know that is pure crapola!  The New Mexico Dental board knows it’s crapola too, but does nothing to the corporation, nothing, nada, zip. 

The dentists are always going to take the fall until you guys get off your asses and speak up! Quit taking an oath to tell the truth and lie about your clinic ownership?  I do NOT understand this! I’m baffled every day by it.

What more can I say that will convince you are your screwing yourself, and your colleagues in the ground! Your chosen profession is going to hell, do something for God’s sake!  Do something for the public’s sake!

Comfort Dental Employee Sean S Phelan, DDS Stipulated Agreement with New Mexico Dental Board

Texas Stakeholders meeting today at 1PM Central time: Orthodontics on the menu.

Click reserve my seat, fill out the form and they will send you a link to the meeting.

http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/news/meetings/past/2012/072712-Dental-Stakeholders-Meeting.shtml

Medicaid Dental System an Ongoing Challenge

Texas Tribune July 27, 2012

While Texas works to fix a system that allowed dental clinics to charge the state millions of dollars in questionable Medicaid bills, dental providers say impoverished Texas children do not have adequate access to care and that the state’s rocky transition to Medicaid managed care is compounding the problem. 

Concerns over the system will be addressed Friday, when the state’s Health and Human Services Commission holds a "dental stakeholders" meeting in Austin. John Roberts, an official with HHSC, said the dental directors of managed care health plans, members of state government and other state officials will address 14 questions previously submitted by dental providers across the state. One topic on the agenda: "Discussion on orthodontic continuation of care for abandoned patients."

Shannon Ash of Lewisville says her three teenagers haven’t been able to get their braces checked by an orthodontist for two months and are using wax to hold off the pain from wires cutting into their cheeks. After the dental clinic that had gotten state approval to put braces on her children shut down, the children’s new orthodontist told Ash that the Medicaid managed care dental plan assigned to her children by the state didn’t think her children’s braces were medically necessary. Therefore, it wouldn’t reimburse the orthodontist for treatments.

“I don’t have money to take care of the issue, or else I would have had it done myself,” Ash said. “If I had known this [would happen], I would have just let my kids’ teeth be crooked.”

After news broke last fall that Texas was paying millions to dental clinics for fraudulent or unnecessary Medicaid activities, such as putting cosmetic braces on low-income children, the state cracked down. The Health and Human Services Department's Office of Inspector General has put 23 orthodontic clinics on payment holds since October while it investigates fraud allegations. And managed care organizations that began administering Medicaid dental plans in March are placing stricter requirements on dental providers to prevent fraud.