Monday, October 10, 2011

NYC dentist, Dr. Elan Kaufman, maxed out family’s dental benefits for the entire year of 2011 when he hadn’t seen any of their children. None! It gets worse, much worse.

Also, the high profile dentist and Chief of Pediatric Dentistry at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, Dr. Elan Kaufman billed the family’s insurance company for 5 visits on their 3 year old child whom he has never seen. Dr. Elan Kaufman had never looked inside the child’s mouth-he should not even have a chart or medical record of any kind on this child.  Parents say the child had not been past the waiting room!

Records say in 2009 he did 6 filings on the child- when the child was only one year old.  According to all the bills submitted on the child he had never seen the 3 year old had been seen 5 times and should currently have a total of 14 fillings.  He also billed for cleanings and fluoride treatment. 

Fox 5 took the child to another prominent dentist for examination.  Not only did the child have NO fillings, she had NO cavities.  Troubling to me is the fact the dentist wanted his identity to remain a secret.  Typical and 99.9% of the problem in my opinion.  Everyone wants to remain anonymous!!

Dr. Kaufman blames the “mistake” on staff, calling it a “clerical error”.  HA!

Anyone want to guess what procedures he billed out in 2011, that caused the family to max out it’s benefits with Delta Dental?

It was the “soup of the day”- Pulpotomies (Baby Root Canals) and Stainless Steel Crowns.  I know, I know…

Wednesday September 28, 2011
Fox 5 reporter Arnold Diaz



Dr. Elan Kaufman’s Other reported Credentials:
Director of Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics in Brooklyn
Teaches at Columbia University – Columbia says he no longer teaches there.
President of the non-profit Children’s Dental Foundation (CDF)

Complaints About New York City Dentist: MyFoxNY.com

UK Ombudsman names and shames dentist

The serious problems with the dental community is not limited to the US.

GDPUK

The Health Service Ombudsman, Ann Abraham, has named a Staffordshire dentist who has repeatedly ignored calls from professional bodies to apologize to a patient following her complaint. This is the first time Ms Abraham has published a report specifically to alert Parliament to a health care professional’s refusal to put things right following a complaint.

Ms Abraham’s report sets out the findings of her investigation of the patient’s complaint about dentist Rajesh Narendranath (known as Mr Nath), of Stone Family Dental Practice in Stone, Staffordshire. The patient, Mrs D, complained that Mr Nath had been rough and had hurt her while trying to take x-rays, and also that he had been rude to her when she had objected. She described leaving the appointment feeling ‘battered emotionally and in more pain’.

Saturday, October 08, 2011

Taxpayers spent $13 million on orthodontic transportation in Texas

Children picked up and escorted to dentist office for orthodontic treatment when dentist was not even in the state. 

Dollars are scarcely available to treat children who are in  very serious and real need, yet hundreds of millions freely distributed for unnecessary and useless braces on children in the Medicaid system.

These are just two of the allegations in the latest installment from Byron Harris of WFAA-TV in Dallas.


by BYRON HARRIS
Bio | Email
WFAA

Taxpayers spent $13 million on orthodontic transportation | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth

Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:42 PM

Last year, Texas taxpayers spent $184 million so kids on Medicaid could get free braces. Taxpayers did not just pay orthodontists for doing work many in the middle class consider a luxury. Under Medicaid, the public spent $13 million on orthodontic transportation.

Children got picked up, taken to orthodontists' offices, had their braces installed or worked on and were taken home again. Medicaid pays for up to 26 trips per patient. Many experts say that's evidence of a well-intentioned program gone wrong.


In his office in Dallas, Dr. Deji Fashemo looks at a three-dimensional photo of a child who badly needs orthodontic help. It is a mouth so crammed with teeth it's painful to look at. So in need of structural repair, the patient can hardly open to brush his teeth.

 

Friday, October 07, 2011

Dental One Under Investigation In Colorado Fallout Hitting Texas? Is Dell Computer CEO a dentist?

What does Michael Dell, the CEO of Dell computers know about root canals?

Word coming out of Colorado today is the Dental One clinic in Mountain, Colorado might be in some trouble. Rumor has it the District Attorney in Monument, Colorado is investigation billing fraud allegations.

Dental One operates 14 practices in Colorado including
Jackson Creek Dental Care
15854 Jackson Creek Parkway
Suite 140
Monument, CO 80132
719-302-2200

Dental One is based in Dallas, Texas
DentalOne Partners - Dallas
17300 Dallas Parkway
Suite 1070
Dallas, Texas 75248

 
Dental One

Dental One says it's an advisory company that owns clinics in various states.

Dental One Officers:
Edward H. Meckler, Chairman, DDS
Peter Grumbos, Chief Clinical Officer, DDS, FAGD
Keith Miller, Chief Operating Officer
David J. Krause, Chief Financial Officer
Dave Drzewiecki, Chief Information Officer
David G. Slezak, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Charlie Zasso, Chief Clinical Director, DDS, FAGD
Andy McBryde, Vice President, Central Operations
Chris Tsichlis, Vice President, Human Resources


Dental One, Inc
Dental Care Partners, Inc
Dental One Partners is a trademark owned by Dental One, Inc and refers to dental practices serviced by either Dental Care Partners, Inc or Dental One, Inc.
Dental Works – refers to dental practices serviced by Dental Care Partners, Inc
dentalonetimeline

 

 

DentalOne Partners - Dallas
17300 Dallas Parkway
Suite 1070
Dallas, Texas 75248

Phone: 972-755-0800
Fax: 972-755-0890
Email: dallas.office@dentalonepartners.com

March 2007 – Purchased by North Peak Capital, LLC a subsidiary of MSD Capital, LP (MSD=Michael and Susan Dell, CEO, Dell Computers

Saturday, October 01, 2011

Critics allege crying kids were hit - LA Daily News

I’m hoping this takes root, as it seems it has, and continues across the country.  C’mon parents, stand up for your children. 

Here is the story of another protest, this time at Dr. Dove’s Chatsworth, California.

Critics allege crying kids were hit - LA Daily News

CHATSWORTH - Angry parents demonstrated Friday outside the office of a pediatric dentist, accusing him of hitting young patients who cried and pulling teeth without proper sedation.

imagePicketing outside the Devonshire Street office of Dr. Edward E. Dove, more than a half-dozen mothers, grandmothers and others claimed that Dove mistreated children during visits and barred parents from being at their kids' side during procedures.

Janice Tucker, left, and Brooke Catalfamo demonstrate Dr. Edward Dove's pediatric dental office in Chatsworth on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. Several parents who believe their children were mistreated by the dentist gathered outside his office to let others know their stories. (Andy Holzman/Daily News Staff Photographer)

"We're just here trying to protect other innocent children," said Brooke Catalfamo, of Reseda, who said Dove slapped her 5-year-old son in the face when he cried.

Another group held a similar protest recently outside Dove's office in Bakersfield, and critics have launched a Facebook page to detail complaints.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Central KY Commercial Real Estate Blog: NAI Isaac Brings Kool Smiles Dentistry to Elizabethtown, KY

Central KY Commercial Real Estate Blog: NAI Isaac Brings Kool Smiles Dentistry to Elizabethtown, KY

koolsmilesWARNING to Elizabethtown, Kentucky residents; it looks like you are about to become the unwitting prey of a Kool Smiles dental center. 

Danger to your children awaits.  Remember the dental mill mantra “Patients may be hard to increase, but billable procedures are not!”  Creative dentistry at its best.

I feel Kool Smiles operates illegally in Kentucky under the statues of a Professional Service Corporation (PSC) where by the person owning and directing the “professional service” must be licensed by the “professional” board of the state, in this case the Kentucky Board of Dentistry and the person MUST perform those services. KRS 313.060 (3) no person shall conduct dental practice in their name unless he or she personally performs services as a dentist is such office.  Not less then 1/2 of the officers of a PSC and ALL of the officers other than the secretary and the treasurer shall be qualified persons to perform the professional services. See KRS 274.027 and 274.045 

Why the KY Dental Board ignores its own laws, rules and regulations is beyond me. 

 

See many more Kool Smiles reports by clicking here.

 

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Not letting Dr. Edward Dove off the hook, fathers drive to remove the dentist continues.

DrDoveProtestBakersfield1

Today, Chris Cook, the father who created the Facebook page exposing the atrocities of Dr. Edward Dove of Bakersfield, California made an appearance on the Scott Cox, radio program.  Scott Cox is on KERN Newstalk Radio in Bakersfield.

DrDoveProtestBakersfield2

 

 

Chris has also created a Petition asking parents to people to sign and plans to pass it along to the California Dental Board.

You can sign the petition here.

Pictures are from the latest protest of Dr. Dove.DrDoveProtestBakersfield4

You can join Chris’s Facebook group here.

DrDoveProtestBakersfield3

 

 

 

 

 

Friday is Conscious Sedation day at Dr. Dove’s.  A protest has been planned Friday, September 30 · 6:30am - 2:00pm  at the Chatsworth Office

Edward Dove's Chatsworth Office
20523 Devonshire St
Chatsworth, CA

Incidents and Allegations:

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Real Cheaters

Boston Herald Monday September 26, 2011

The cheating done by food stamp recipients is peanuts compared to vendor fraud (“Life’s a beach on EBT street,” Sept. 22).

Most fraud is done by pharmacies, doctors, dentists, nursing homes, hospitals and sellers of medical equipment. The government recovered $2.5 billion in overpayments for Medicare in 2009 as the Obama administration focused attention on fraud enforcement efforts in the health industry.
Click here to read the full story
The Real Cheaters

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Inside the mind of a corporate dentist who is paid based on production.

Here is what happens to a dentist working at a dental mill when they don’t produce. Names and dates have been changed.
I believe this is a letter from a “lead” dentist at a dental mill clinic sent to their “regional manager". It’s apparent production is the only goal and is precisely why getting a bonus and/or a piece of the pie for compensation is more than wrong! It’s criminal! This is exactly why under Quality of Care Corporate Integrity Agreements, employee compensation or bonuses are NOT to be based on “production” goals.
Dear Regional Manager,
This letter is in regards to the production levels of Dr. F. As you know the clinic was approximately $500 away in production from the $300/3000 Bonus for the month. This is one of MANY examples of Dr. F not completing the majority of the treatment on the patients she sees on a daily basis. The patient, RH, was seen on 12-1-2010 by Dr. F and the only treatment done was a facial composite on the #C and the rest of the treatment to be performed was dismissed because the patient was nervous and he wanted the dental visit to be easy.
The clinic missed out on the possible $425.96 of production because he wanted to make the visit EASY? I find this very upsetting because I strive to work at my full potential and lead by example to my fellow doctors and employees to work hard regardless if I want to make a dental appointment easy.
If I wanted to make the appointment easy for every nervous patient, I believe a strong majority of our parents would be upset that they would have to continuously keep coming back because the patient was nervous. RH was my patient today and I completed the majority of the treatment except the extractions (per mom) and yes the patient was initially nervous, but did great for the injections and treatment. In conclusion, my question is how many more patients are to be dismissed or partial work completed because they were nervous and how many production goals must be compromised because of Dr. F’s lack of effort?
Sincerely,
Dr. X Ray Fraud
As you can see, Dr. X Ray Fraud would have done all the extractions had mom not spoken up and refused.

Jim Moriarty “Only a human can practice dentistry” “No corporation is allowed to practice dentistry.”

by BYRON HARRIS
Bio | Email
WFAA
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:15 PM

WFAA's Byron Harris has investigated dental organizations that have charged the government millions for children's braces. Here is the latest from the on-going News 8 investigation which includes a statement from Texas attorney, Jim Moriarty. 

E-mail bharris@wfaa.com

 

Related:

See all photos »

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Don’t become part of the crime and cover-up–Report it!

This goes out to any Small Smiles or Church Street Health Management employees.

The Office of Inspector General and Health and Human Services take Corporate Integrity Agreements seriously, especially Quality of Care CIA’s and even more important the agreements that have to do with the treatment of children.

I know many of you are afraid to speak up about the violations and breaches of the Corporate Integrity Agreement.  I know many of you are concerned about other misdeeds happening at the dental centers as well as at corporate headquarters. 

I encourage each of you to report any and all violations.  If you don’t feel comfortable using the Hotline that is set up, and I understand that completely, then at least report directly to the OIG/HHS. 

You may direct complaints of suspected Medicaid fraud to
OIG's Hotline1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or directly to a

State Medicaid
Fraud Control Units

If the monitor is visiting your center, please talk to the monitor.  I’m sure all reports and allegations are taken seriously.  If you can’t talk freely right then, surely you can find a way to get the monitor’s attention to slip them a phone number or a note or something.  Get the name of the monitor and contact them later….do something.

Heck do all of the above if you don’t feel comfortable talking to the monitor and your concerns swept under the rug.  Even though I doubt that is the case.  But I understand just about every one of you are terrified. 

You guys are the first line of defense against children being mistreated and Medicaid fraud prevention.  Please do the right thing.  For example, if you see procedure being coded and billed improperly, please report it, please.  Don’t become part of the crime and cover-up.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Dr. James Crow sentenced to prison for Medicaid Fraud - using wrong billing codes

Medicaid Fraud and Perjury by Brownwood, Texas Dentist. Perjury(emphasis added).

Who at these Medicaid mills are willing to leave your family, newborns, sick parents and head off to prison? Better be thinking about it.
_____________

September 21, 2011
SAN ANGELO, Texas — A Brownwood dentist convicted in federal court in San Angelo of defrauding Medicaid has been sentenced to 70 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $1.6 million in restitution.

James Crow, 67, was ordered by U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on or before Oct. 26. He also was ordered to pay $1,653,474 to Texas Medicaid and forfeit that amount in cash, a truck, several Harley Davidson motorcycles, a residence in Brownwood and additional real estate elsewhere in Brown County, a camper, a boat and a trailer.

Cummings also issued a finding that Crow had committed perjury during the two-week, May 2011 trial in San Angelo.

Crow was convicted on evidence that he filed claims to Medicaid for services he didn't perform and for services billed under improper billing codes. Crow billed Medicaid for resin-based fillings when the service weren't performed or services were performed that were not reimbursable under Medicaid.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's office in Lubbock using investigations conducted by the Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the FBI.





Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Obit sheds light on DeRose family tree

Grove, Jean P.
Jean P. Grove - Pueblo Chieftain - March 12, 2001 - Longtime Pueblo resident, passed away March 9, 2001. Preceded in death by husbands, Frank G. Palladino and Arthur E. Grove; sister-in-law, Veronica DeRose; and brother-in-law, Bruno DeRose. Survived by nieces and nephews, Dr. Edward J. and Neta DeRose, Sel and Vivian Elizondo, Dr. Rudy and Berni Padula, Alfred J. and Rose Schiavoni, Mary Lou Keating; and sister in-law, Jada Willard. Mrs. Grove resided in Pueblo for 50 years and was a loyal member of Sacred Heart Cathedral and St. Pius X churches. Service will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral on March 13 at 10 a.m. The family respectfully requests the omission of food and flowers. Contributions may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 7 Glen Eagle Court, Pueblo, CO 81001, in memory of Mrs. A.E. Grove. Interment, Roselawn Cemetery.

How to slow the child abuse, tortuous dental overtreatment and fraud

If states want to stop the influx of these substandard dental mills; if states want to end the continued overtreatment and child torture perpetrated on the poorest and most vulnerable of our citizens; if states want to cut the Medicaid fraud by same dental mills by billions; the solution may be as simple as slowing down the reimbursements.

Many think they gravitate to states with the highest reimbursement rates or those states that pay for more procedures, but that’s not always true.  If you were to ask an exec at one of the mills, you may well be told it’s actually how fast the money flows into their coffers.

Look at the states who are slow to pay; you won’t find many dental mills there.  Take Illinois for example, they are considered to be slow to pay; no Small Smiles or Kool Smiles there. 

Of course that’s just one of the factors considered, but it’s a huge one!  Other factors could be:

How quickly dentists can be credentialed
How quickly dentists can be licensed with the state dental board
Who they know and can control at the state dental associations

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Just Saying….

Being lectured about wasting taxpayer dollars by a Medicaid Fraudster is off the chart ridiculous.  Just saying….

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Attorney Tom Crosley Taking The Smile Center Cases–Was your child injured?

SAN ANTONIO - More than 70 parents are preparing to sue a local company of dental clinics called The Smile Center.  A News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooters investigation unleashed a flood of complaints by parents who say their children got poor dental treatment at the San Antonio clinics.  The San Antonio clinics have made millions on work paid for by Medicaid
.
Tom Crosley runs the firm that is preparing to file suit. “In the last few weeks we've been approached by the families of 60 or 70 children to investigate whether their kids were victims of unnecessary dental work, shoddy dental work, excess dental treatment," said Crosley.

The Smile Center handed out letters to potential new patients that state the allegations are gross misrepresentation of the facts. The Smile Center also claims they are saddened and shocked that we would report this story without telling their side of the story.
 
See video and further story information here

Tom Crosley, Attorney At Law
2632 Broadway St
Suite 101 South
San Antonio, TX 78215
210-354-4500, 877-535-4529
Fax: 210-244-2744
info@crosleylaw.com

The Smile Center in San Antonio, Texas Under Investigation

WOAI TV
Updated: 9/08 10:04 am


The Smile Center Investigation
Posted on 09/08/2011 by bcollister
A criminal investigation is underway into a chain of dental clinics here in San Antonio that targets children on Medicaid.  This comes after I uncovered complaints of poor treatment at The Smile Center.
The Texas Attorney General now confirms it has launched criminal and civil investigations into The Smile Center.
The Attorney General’s office wants to know if the clinics defrauded Medicaid by billing for dental work that did not need to be done.  I’ve been reporting since February about complaints from parents who say the clinics did unnecessary and shoddy work on their children.
These parents were unhappy with dental work done on their children and paid with millions of your tax dollars through Medicaid.
A representative from the Attorney General’s office confirms it’s Medicaid fraud control unit has 180 bankers boxes of records taken from The Smile Center locations here in San Antonio.  The agency’s civil Medicaid department has also filed a complaint in civil court against the business. But we don’t know what’s in that complaint because it’s sealed.

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Medicare fraud strike force charges 91 individuals for approximately $295 million in false billing

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2011

Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

Medicare fraud strike force charges 91 individuals for approximately $295 million in false billing

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that a nationwide takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in eight cities has resulted in charges against 91 defendants, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $295 million in false billing. 

Attorney General Holder and Secretary Sebelius were joined in the announcement by FBI Executive Assistant Director Shawn Henry, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HHS Inspector General Daniel R. Levinson.

Saturday, September 03, 2011

Busy week for wasteful and abusive dentistry in the news–Corporations should be feeling the heat about now

In Rick Perry's Texas: Medicaid Is Wasting Millions -- On Braces

Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:22am — Joe Conason

Republican presidential frontrunner Rick Perry complains constantly about Washington’s “culture of runaway spending,” wasteful government programs, and federal intrusions into the affairs of the states. In Fed Up, the book he published last year, the Texas governor bitterly criticizes Medicare (which he terms “unconstitutional”) as well as the health care reforms passed by President Obama and by Mitt Romney in Massachusetts, which he regards as infringements on freedom.

Before Perry goes after Romney and Obama on medical spending, however, perhaps he ought to try putting his own state’s government in order first. According to a new investigation by a Dallas television station, the Medicaid program in Texas – overseen by Perry – is wasting millions of dollars annually on orthodontic braces for children who may not even need them.

But the story gets worse: Texas Medicaid wasting big money on unnecessary braces due to lax regulation by the state –and those millions are going straight to for-profit clinics owned by hedge funds.

Reviewing Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA’s investigation, health care expert Trudy Lieberman explains in the Columbia Journalism Review how the teeth of poor children in Texas became a golden opportunity for wealthy investors on Wall Street. Last year, the state spent more than $184 million to provide braces for 120,000 children – many of whom apparently did not qualify for orthodontic care under the state’s own criteria, according to WFAA investigative reporter Byron Harris. That is more than twice as much as Texas spent on the same program three years ago –and the same amount as all of the other 49 states combined.

“Judging by the increased payouts,” Harris noted, “the teeth of Texas children are growing more crooked each year.”

Read complete story here

Corporate dentistry receiving a lot of press lately isn’t it?

Columbia Journalism Review:

Golden Teeth
Dallas’s WFAA shows crooked Medicaid spending on orthodontia
by Trudy Lieberman

These days it’s rare for local TV stations to produce anything resembling an expose. With their steady diet of crime, weather, and canned medical news, there just isn’t room for the hard reporting. WFAA, the ABC affiliate in Dallas, has earned a reputation as a notable exception. Throughout the summer, the station and its investigative reporter Byron Harris have taken on the Texas Medicaid agency and its spending spree for braces for poor kids.

Now there’s nothing wrong with these children getting braces. Many, no doubt, will benefit in the long run. The problem, Harris reported, is that last year the state paid more than $184 million—nearly double the amount it spent in 2008—to supply braces for 120,000 kids, some of whom may not have met the state’s criteria for orthodontic work.

Read the full article at CJR

Friday, September 02, 2011

Kids Dental Place in Phoenix Arizona–Moses’ story

On Thursday morning of August 12, 2011 I received this email.  It was sent from a frantic mom.  No one can tell the story better than she can, so his is Moses’ story. Moses was seen by Dr. Joseph Nielson.
Moses O
You are God sent!  I found your blog last night while I was googling dentist torture. I need your help and advise. 
Yesterday while I was at work my mother took my son to the dentist (Kids Dental Place on Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016) He had NINE root canals, not to mention crowns and other unnecessary work that was preformed.
 MosesHis face and lips are swollen and he is all bruised up inside and outside his mouth. He also has scratches on his arms and imprints on his arm from where they strapped him down. 
I had NO IDEA that no parents are allowed in the back or else I wouldn't have brought him there!  My mother thought she was coming in for a couple of fillings turned into NINE root canals.  I am so horrified.
Can you give me some wisdom or guidance on what to do?
I spoke to the office manager and she was basically like "who cares" and he does Nine root canals all the time, like it is no big deal!!!  This is so unacceptable, who sits and get nine root canals in one sitting?? My poor baby.  Moses 3

My son also told me that they did not give him any pain medication that he as crying the whole time! And that the densest was very mean!  My son does not lie either and is a vey smart boy for his age (4).
Thanks a million!
I asked Moses’ mom if she could send me any pictures of his injuries and asked if she had gotten his charts from Kids Dental Place. 

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Parents Protest in front of Dr. Edward Dove’s office

 

This exact same thing is happening to 1,000’s of children every day in the Medicaid dental mills such as Small Smiles, Kool Smiles and the like!  The less fortunate children deserve a voice too, that’s why this site is here.

I’d love to see the masses at these clinics!

Parents telling their horror stories of Dr. Edward Dove after dad creates Facebook page and Dr. Bicuspid promoted it. Thanks to everyone who helped get this out to the masses.

Reposting the stories from the facebook page, just incase they magically disappear! 
Holly Cordova
On Wednesday August 24th I took my 6 year old son to Dr. Dove's office. He drank their "kiddie martini" and 9:40 in the morning and I was told they would take him back in 30 minutes. An hour went by and I asked if they had forgotten us.
The lady informed me no they hadn't forgotten us that things had come up. Almost another hour went by and they finally took him back. He didn't seem very sedated at all anymore. They called my name 30 minutes later to get him. He was crying a lot and I could tell something was wrong.
When we started driving away we were trying to comfort him and let him know everything was ok now. He managed to choke out that Dr. Dove was mean to him.
He said every time he would cry Dr. Dove would yell at him to quit crying. Later that evening he asked my daughter at the dinner table if she wanted to know what else they do at that dental office and he said they hurt you.

Akasmse Rose Tecumseh died in August 2010, Brayden was the lucky one that day. Here is Brayden's story.

Brayden’s mom sent me this yesterday, August 30, 2011 and asked that I tell this story and help how ever I can.  With that said, here is her son’s brush with death.

Brayden

Hello my name is Ashley and I am writing in hopes that you might be able to inform your readers and possibly direct me as to where to go . You see my son Brayden was also having work done on his teeth Aug. 12,  2010 at Dr. Charles Keithline's office, Tulsa Oklahoma,  although it was not Dr. Keithline that did Brayden’s or the little girls procedure.  He was supposed to but decided last minute to go on some sort of retreat with his wife also his office manage .

Dr. Ryan Roberts, Dr. Keithline’s associate in the office performed the procedures,  There was only 2 patients they were seeing that day her and my son. I can not get that day out of my head no matter how hard I try. The little girl was already in the room having her teeth worked on but I seen her being carried out by her mother and she was soooo- limp ...... I blame myself as well because I had a nagging feeling to just cancel his appointment and go home but I thought it is his first year in school and I wouldn't want him to have to miss school better to get it over with ( I will NEVER not listen to my instincts again ).

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

In reference to Facebook group “Bakersfield Dentist DOES NOT ROCK!!!- Does it begin and end with the dental boards?

 

I'm finding all kinds of problems with the dental community, most of which starts with state dental boards.  They are not there to keep the public safe, they exist to protect incompetent dentists and wall street corporations.

In most states the Executive Director is NOT a dentist, nor ever has been.  Most are appointed by bureaucratic state administrations; a friend of a friend recommended them to the governor and so forth.  However those "friends" are lobbyist!  After appointment, they are seldom removed from office.

New "board members" are elected, but those member only meet once a month, sometimes less and do the business recommended by the Executive Director, who is there to draw a paycheck and little more.  People are mislead into believing dental boards administer testing for new graduates to measure their competence, that is NOT the case any longer.

I hate Dr. Dove of Bakersfield Facebook Group going viral

UPDATE:
September 1, 2011
8:00 CST
Mr. Cook has started another group under a new name – Bakersfield Dentist DOES NOT ROCK!!
Was Dr. Edward Dove trained at one of the Corporate dental mills infecting the nation?
UPDATE:
September 1, 2011
6:00 AM CST

I dunno, but I’m thinkin’ this has now become a HUGE story.
It appears as of this morning Facebook decided Free Speech is NOT for them.  After 40 or more complaints about Dr. Dove of Bakersfield reciting the same issues, Facebook took down Mr. Cook’s facebook group!!
If 40 parents posted similar stories about Dr. Dove in a period of a couple of days, imagine the real number of abused patients!  Facebook should be supporting Mr. Cook, not dissuading other victims from speaking out! 
Facebook, you can take down Mr. Cook’s page but it does not change the facts.
Mr. Cook, you have my full support and so do all the other’s who are being silenced! 
Another group has started “Let’s Investigate Dr. Dover”.  You can join it here!
August 31, 2011
A very upset parent has created a facebook group.  Here is the link to the group.
This is the parent’s post:
This past Monday which was August 22nd I took my 5 year old son to have a tooth that I was told needed to be extracted. After arriving at the office my son was given a sedative by mouth in a small cup to drink. He immediately threw up at least 50% of the mixture. I was told to keep an eye on him as he might have vomited it up and it not work.
After approximately 15 minutes a nurse came to me and my son and she wanted to take him in the back for the procedure. He was not ready and he was still very alert. I told the nurse this and she informed me she was only going to be taking x-rays and would be back shortly with him.
Ten to 15 minutes later a nurse comes from the back frantically calling for me and I can now hear my son screaming my name. I rushed to the back and he was being held down by the shoulders by 3-4 nurses and I snatched him up very quickly. He had blood coming from his mouth and was wet from head to toe.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Many dental restraints for young patients are being phased out

Many dental restraints for young patients are being phased out
BY KELLIE SCHMITT, Californian staff writer
kschmitt@bakersfield.com | Monday, Aug 29 2011 08:03 PM

Last Updated Monday, Aug 29 2011 08:53 PM

As critics of a local dentist who frequently restrains his young patients grew in size and strength Monday, experts said the practice of routinely using a so-called papoose board is being phased out.

The allegations against Dr. Edward Dove center on injuries such as slaps and scratches that reportedly occurred while the children were restrained with Velcro straps, under partial sedation, and while their parents were not allowed in the room.

A representative from Dove's office said staff had been instructed not to talk to the media, and Dove did not return a call Monday. In a prior interview, Dove, whose record is free of disciplinary action, denied allegations of slapping any patients, and said he offered good care to thousands of children.

Using a papoose board and keeping parents out of the operating room aren't necessarily problematic, but pediatric dentistry experts say children should not be injured in the restraining process.

"If the kid thrusts through the whole procedure and cries vociferously, they can come out of a procedure with their face red," said Dr. Ray Stewart, executive director of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry. "But in terms of scrapes and scratches, no. It's a violation of ethics, and the law and it clearly crosses the line."

GROWING ALLEGATIONS

Last week, Bakersfield resident Chris Cook was angry about Dove's treatment during his child's tooth extraction. He launched a Facebook site titled "I Hate Dr. Dove of Bakersfield," which has grown to more than 400 members.

Before his 5-year-old's extraction, the child threw up some of his oral sedative, Cook said. During the procedure, which Cook was not permitted to watch, his son urinated on himself. Cook alleges that his child, who was restrained with the papoose board, was not numb, and should not have been operated on.

On that Facebook page, other parents have reported similar incidents involving Dove's care. Cook has created a document on that site listing 21 people who allege mistreatment, many of whom say they're planning to report the claims to the Dental Board of California. Some members posted pictures of facial scratches they say resulted from their child's visit to Dove.

Cook, who said he's also "speechless and dumfounded" that Dove described his children's dental history to the media, organized a protest Monday in front of the dentist's Union Avenue office.

Protester Carol Webb said her daughter, then 3, needed dental work two years ago. Webb wasn't permitted in the back room but heard a "blood curdling scream." Her daughter left Dove's office hysterical, and said the dentist had "told her to hush and hit her," Webb recalled.

At the time, Webb said she called the local dental association, but wasn't aware she could report a complaint to the Dental Board of California -- something she's now planning to do.

"When I heard about this on the news, I turned to my mom and said, 'That's the dentist who hit her,'" she said. "The stories are all the same."

USING PAPOOSE BOARDS

Restraints such as papoose boards are used to reduce or eliminate movement and protect the patient, dentist and staff from injury during dental treatment, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The academy's guidelines caution against using such stabilization on "patients who have experienced previous physical or psychological trauma" from the device, unless there are no alternatives.

The guidelines call for informed consent before using protective stabilization such as the papoose board. That's because of "the possible aversive nature of the technique."

Dove's office manager said last week that all patients sign a consent form before a papoose board is used.

Dentists say the board can be used in emergencies, or to keep young or uncooperative children stable and immobile during the procedures, which involve sharp instruments -- as an alternative to putting them to sleep.

Before placing a child in a restraint, dentists like Dove typically give an oral sedative to children that leaves them disassociated from their environment, but still conscious with normal protective reflexes. The relaxation can cause the body to lose functions, such as control of urinating, numerous dentists say.

If a patient spits up some of that oral sedation, dentists can either reschedule the procedure or continue if they think the patient is numb enough.

When papoose boards are used, it's essential that parents understand the device and its purpose, Stewart said. In his practice, he showed a video and made sure parents knew they could explore alternatives such as taking their child to a hospital and having general anesthesia instead. Dove said last week that general anesthesia can escalate costs for his patients, some of whom require financial assistance.

Many dentists say they're increasingly putting the child to sleep and using a tube to aid in breathing. Some dentists stay away from the restraint entirely unless it's an emergency, and others, like Dr. Paul Reggiardo, no longer use it at all.

"When I was younger, and it was more commonly used, I found parents were uncomfortable with it," said Reggiardo, public policy advocate at the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry. "When the parents see their child resisting, it's hard on the parent."

Anesthesia is less invasive for children, especially if they're uncooperative, said David Rothman, a San Francisco-based pediatric dentist: "Protecting the child's psyche is the most important part of this."

PARENTS IN THE ROOM

Dove said last week that anxious parents keep him from getting his work done, which is why he doesn't allow them in the room during procedures. Nationwide, there are no official guidelines on whether parents should be present in the room during dental procedures, and it's left up to the discretion of the dentist.

Rothman says he invites parents to observe his procedures even if they have to stand in the doorway. In the rare situation where he uses a papoose board, parents are always in the room, and they help place the child in the device.

"Parents can be distracting, but you explain what's going on and most of the time they're understanding," he said.

At the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Dr. Warren Brill tells his students that's a decision they have to make on their own. Parents aren't always a positive influence since their presence might confuse the children as to whose instructions to follow.

Still, in his personal practice, Brill says having parents in the room helps them better understand procedures and instill more trust. And, it helps to clarify any potential miscommunications.

Brill, the vice president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, said he could envision a situation where a dentist was working on a child with a sharp instrument and the child reaches up to grab his hand.

"You might push the hand away, and the child might view that as a slap," Brill said. "Children will perceive things that don't necessarily reflect reality. You have to put it in perspective. If the dentist is trying to hold the child, the child might view that as aggressive action."

But, dentists agree, there's no excuse to ever inflict violence on a child. If a procedure involving a papoose board ever escalated, Stewart said he'd stop the procedure, tell the parent it didn't work out, and suggest general anesthesia in a hospital.

In several decades of practice, he fielded a couple of complaints from parents who said their kids weren't treated well.

"You're going to run into this," he said. "But, if you have dozens stepping up and the allegations are consistent, then I'd say there is a pattern that needs to be investigated."

Why the restraints were ever there in the first place is beyond me!!

I’m guessing Dr. Warren Brill must disagree with this illustrious colleague, Dr. Steven Adair, former editor-in-chief and trustee at the AAPD and Chief Dental Officer at Small Smiles, one of the largest papoose board purchaser in the US.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Feds to investigate Medicaid orthodontics fraud in Texas

 by BYRON HARRIS
Bio | Email
WFAA
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Updated Thursday, Aug 25 at 10:37 PM

NEWS 8 INVESTIGATES

For the past six months, News 8 investigations have revealed hundreds of millions of dollars of questionable Medicaid spending on braces for children in Texas.

Now federal investigators are auditing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which controls those funds. Taking the lead in the audit is the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In a letter to the state, the inspector general says it will examine the "authorization process for orthodontic treatment" under Texas Medicaid. "The objective of our audit," the letter continues, "is to review the State's controls to ensure that only medically necessary orthodontic cases are paid." The time period covered by the audit is September 1, 2008 through May 28, 2011.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Texas State Dental Board says it can’t stop the dental abuse and Medicaid fraud until someone complains, well someone complain already! Here’s help.

Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
Texas Dental Board Complaint Process
Texas Dental Laws, Rules and Regulations

Complaints
:  
complaints@tsbde.texas.gov
E-mailing the Board
:

Indicate the intent of your communication in the subject and body of your email. This will help prevent our Security System from flagging your email as possible spam and deleting it.
Ms. Abigail Gutierrez, Administrative Assistant
Phone: (512) 475-2019
Fax: (512) 463-7452
Ms. Erica Bommarito, Administrative Assistant Phone: (512) 475-1996
Fax: (512) 463-7452
Ms. Jennifer Carriker, Compliance Officer, Administrative Assistant Phone: (512) 305-8991
Fax: (512) 463-7452
Ms. Gutierrez, Ms. Bommarito and Ms. Carriker can assist with:
          Contacting the Director of Enforcement
         How to file a compliant or check on the status of an on-going complaint           Information about a Closed or Dismissed Case
          Board Order Compliance
              (For Conditional Dismissal Compliance - Ms. Debbie Powell, Legal Assistant - (512) 475-0982)
Other Agency divisions and contact information

Texas State Dental Board Information:
Phone:  (512) 463-6400      (8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday, Except Holidays)
Main Fax:  (512) 463-7452
Open Records Fax:  (512) 532-0637
Open Records Requests: openrecords@tsbde.texas.gov

Mailing Address:
Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 800
Austin, Texas 78701-3942
File a Consumer Complaint with Texas Attorney General here

File a Medicaid fraud complaint with Texas here
Report the fraud, reap the benefits-share in a portion of the recovery here.
Write your state lawmaker here
File a complaint with your local District Attorney or County Attorney, you can find them in the phone book.
Don’t forget to follow up all complaints with further letters and phone calls. 



American Dental Partners, Inc and Tooth Doctor for Kids Spreading from Arizona to Texas

Another dental mill is opening more Texas dental clinics since it appears the Texas State Dental Board of Examiners has opened the doors to the illegal practice of dentistry by corporations and dental Medicaid fraud.  Yes, Texas is open for business indeed, Mr. Perry. 
a  toothdoctor for kids
A Tooth Doctor for Kids/Braces For Less with 5 locations in Arizona and 7 locations in and around Houston and 2 locations in San Antonio Texas is coming to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. 
With 9 locations already at work in Texas, Tooth Doctor for Kids has six more locations scheduled to open between August 2011 and late fall 2011, as seen here on their website.
Their website says they offer; Dental checkups, Cleanings, and x-rays; Dental Fillings and Crowns; Sedation; Sealants; Fluoride Treatment; Space Maintainers.
What is hard to find on their website is the name of the dentists treating the children and if those dentists are general dentists or pediatric dentists.  Website design and clinic décor is the main misleading marketing to parents, implying the dentists spent an extra 2 years of dental school to become pedodontists when they did not.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

CSHM–Small Smiles Dental Centers are among exclusive group of 19 under a “Quality of Care” Corporate Integrity Agreement with US government

There are 346 Corporate Integrity Agreements individuals and corporations have signed with the Office of Inspector General (OIG).  Out of those 346 only 19 have the distinguished designation as being “Quality of Care Corporate Integrity Agreements”.  Church Street Health Management (f/k/a FORBA)  is among the exclusive bunch.

According to the OIG Quality of Care CIA’s:

Monday, August 22, 2011

Small Smiles and Corporate Practice of Medicine

Cashing In by Cashing Out

Texas Board Dental of Examiners allows non US residents to scam taxpayers out of $22 million dollars. Cheap labor from across the boarder helps make the Navarro brothers two of the wealthiest Orthodontists in the US. Texas Dental Board refused to answer these questionable practices.

by BYRON HARRIS
Bio | Email

WFAA
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Updated today at 3:16 PM

DALLAS - Many parents know it can cost as much as $5,000 to put braces on a child's teeth. Despite the high cost, it's a financial sacrifice some families make for a child's appearance.

Rarely are braces a health issue. But, while some families struggle to pay for braces, under Medicaid in Texas, tens of thousands of children get braces for free.

Last year, Texas spent $184 million on braces under Medicaid. And while Texas spent as much as the rest of the nation combined, some states, like Michigan and Kansas, spent zero.

Penny v. OrthAlliance, Jordan v. OrthAlliance & Glower v OrthAlliance- Corporate Dentistry Ruled Illegal

 

From Hospital and Health Systems Group – June 2008

One example of provider relations going horribly wrong is the OrthAlliance experience. OrthAlliance is an orthodontic practice management company that follows a model common in the industry: the company first purchases the assets and leaseholds held by individual orthodontists or professional orthodontic corporations; then it enters into an agreement with the orthodontist or practice to
provide comprehensive practice management services; and finally, the practice
management company employs the orthodontist’s existing nonprofessional staff. It appears, however, that the arrangements were not as financially successful as several of OrthAlliance’s orthodontists had hoped, and the relationships between OrthAlliance and many of those providers eventually broke down. By 2001, approximatelyfifty-six OrthAlliance-affiliated practitioners and/or  their professional corporations had filed lawsuits in eleven states.

 

2003 Penny v OrthAlliance
Corporate Dentistry Ruled Illegal

From Orthalliance 10-k Annual Report

On March 26, 2003, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, in ruling on the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment in a case captioned Penny v. OrthAlliance, Inc. , held that, when construed together, the purchase agreements and service agreements between the plaintiffs and OrthAlliance and the employment agreements between the individual plaintiffs and their practices violated Texas statutes prohibiting the unauthorized practice of dentistry and were therefore invalid. In the court’s view, the interrelationship among these agreements allowed OrthAlliance to own, maintain or operate an office or place of business in which it employs or engages the plaintiffs to practice dentistry, in violation of Texas law. In reaching its conclusion, the court noted that OrthAlliance leases or owns and maintains the office space and tangible assets used in the plaintiffs’ practices and provides comprehensive practice

Terms of Avoidance

 

Essentially

Basically

Associated

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Check the Senators Cardin’s campaign contributions!

Yes, average wait time is 7 minutes!  Yes, 100% approval rating.  Since the asked two people, whom they probably paid!!! 

Senator, you may be a fine man, you may be a smart man.  But no one would know by listening to what you are saying today.

What are you going to say when this company ends up under Federal investigation like Small Smiles?  Will you tell us how great the place is then?  Did you even check to see if they were being investigated before stepping up to that podium? 

Since you want to take credit for this house of horrors, are you going to take the blame as well? 

Maybe we should send all the complaints to your office!!

See: Hey Senator Ben Cardin

Hey Senator Ben Cardin–WAKE UP!

  •  

Senator Cardin’s boastful public statement from August 18, 2011. 

Maryland Ranks First In Providing Child Dental Care
Armando Trull

August 18, 2011 - Four years ago, 12-year-old Diamonte Driver from Prince George's County died from a brain infection created by an abscessed tooth because his mother was unable to get him adequate dental care. This death spurred Maryland to address this inadequacy, and now, things in the state are vastly different.

Dentist

Maryland was ranked first in providing dental care for children in a recent Pew Center study.

Another dentist charged with possession of child porn

White Plains NY

August 12, 2011

A former Mount Kisco resident and Greenburgh dentist is accused of possessing child pornography.

Dr. Henry Webster, of Greenburgh-basedWebster Dental Group (Scarsdale P.O.), was arraigned in Mount Kisco Justice Court on Thursday because he lived in the village when the alleged offense took place, according to DA spokesman Lucian Chalfen.

Now a resident upstate in Elizabethtown, NY, Webster was released on $5,000 bail, the Westchester County District Attorney's office announced.

Webster, 56, was charged with one felony count of child pornography possession (the official term is "Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child").

The DA's office announced that it received an external hard drive belonging to Webster on May 6 of this year. After an investigation, the DA office claims, images of children under 16 years old were found. The DA's office also claims that Webster was interviewed on July 22 and admitted to downloading and storing the images.

Webster could not be reached for comment. His next court date is Aug. 25.

Link is here

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Mechanicsville, Virginia Kool Smiles still receiving complaints about lies, fraud, root canals, and stainless steel crowns; It’s 2011 folks! Is anyone listening to the people? Apparently not!!!!

KoolSmilesMechanicsville

I took this pictures in the summer of 2008, 6 months after I began hearing of these dental mills abusing children.

This is the Kool Smiles in Mechanicsville, VA.  Located in a strip mall on Mechanicsville Pike.

Appears they are still using the same ole tactics; make mom feel guilty.  This disgusting!!!

 

 

To see all the reports on Kool Smiles click here

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

What should mom do?

Below is an email from the mom of the child who had 9 root canals done on Thursday at Kids Dental Place in Phoenix. Now what? The child is sick and traumatized.

Tuesday August 16, 2011

Hi Deb,
My son is not doing good he now has a fever of 102 since 6:30am.

My mother and I took him to the Phoenix Children's Hospital ER department and they did not do anything.

They wanted to strap him down to look in his mouth & I refused. I explained what happened to him & they could not careless.

I do not know what is going on with these doctors! This is horrible. The doctor just refused to help & so we left!

He said there is nothing he can do since my son won't open his mouth. I am so frustrated you have no idea! The doctor literally walked out on me & told me to go back to the dentist! Who the heck does that?!?!

K

UPDATE. 8:00 CST
August 16,2011

Deb
I just got out of his pediatrician office all he did was look in his mouth & see the inflammation & drooling and he already knew. He even called the hospital and asked what happened & gave them a piece of his mind!

He said those young residents don't know what they are doing & should never put a child thru that! His fever was 104!!!

He prescribed him antibiotics for the infection. Let's hope that helps. If not he might need an IV. I feel so helpless again!

Thank you for ur kind words & all ur helo u are such a life saver I don't know what I would do if I never found ur blog!
K

Kids Dental Place under fire by upset mom after child received 9 root canals–Here is info on Kids Dental Place

Kids Dental Place – Kids Dental Place is a trade name for NBA Dental Group P.C. with offices in Phoenix, Glendale, and Mesa Arizona.

kidsdentalplace_thumb2NBA Dental Group
d/b/a Kids Dental Place
3910 E. Equestrian T1
Phoenix, AZ 85044
714-651-6719
kidsdentalplace07@yahoo.com
Map picture
The address on NBA Dental Group belongs to:

George R. and Aramouni Ayoub
3910 E. Equestrian T1
Phoenix, AZ  85044
Valuation - $349,000
The dentists’ bios mention their “passion” and “interest” in treating pediatric patients, one dentist has a father who treated children. However, only one dentist in the group is an actual Pediatric Dentist. I have to ask if they are/were so passionate why only one spent the extra 2 years of training to become a pediatric dentist?
Dr. Amy Heil
Dr. Walter Villanueva – pediatric dentist
Dr. Wissam Ayoub (George) (Manta website says this dude is the Principal of the business)
Dr,. Joseph Nielson
Dr. Jay Ayass

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Comment from a Small Smiles patient

I went here and I'm 16, this dumb old whore kept making me bleed all over the place and when i jerked she would say shit like "dont move , maybe if you cleaned more often this wouldnt happen" umm bitch maybe i should stab you in your fuckin gums and see if you dont jerk your damn self.... its pititful and on top of that they did all the wrong shit to my teeth and now im paying for it



Friday, August 12, 2011

Orthodontic treatment increased nearly 50%. Why? Marketing?

From the Wall Street Journal- November 16, 2010
by  Nancy Keates at nancy.keates@wsj.com

The number of children 17 and younger getting orthodontic treatment has grown 46% over the past decade to 3.8 million in 2008,... figure available from the American Association of Orthodontists
The association doesn't break the number down further by age, but Lee W. Graber, the Association's president, estimates that in his own practice 15% to 20% of the 7- to 10-year-olds he sees get treatment.
"Fifteen years ago we rarely saw kids until they were teenagers," Dr. Graber says...
In the U.S., the shift to earlier treatment dates back to around 1990, the year the orthodontists association began encouraging the screening of 7-year-olds, with magazine ads and videos aimed at parents. Better diagnostic technology also has led to more early treatment. Increased insurance coverage has played a role, too...
[ Basically saying a market was created to rake in the dough?  Shocking! 
Question: Who created the market?  Answer: The American Association of Orthodontists. 
Question: Who convinced insurance companies to increase their coverage?  Answer: The AAO?  Question: How did they convince insurance companies to start picking up more of the tab? Answer: False or misleading information, junk science? 

Same questions to go out to Medicaid. ]

Dentist trades drugs for sex

I’m not really sure who is the most disgusting, the dentist or the women.  Geez.

Boston Herald
August 12, 2011
Larue J. Sweet
A disgraced dentist who “lost everything” because he overprescribed prescription painkillers and anxiety medication to at least nine female patients in exchange for fondling their breasts and slapping their bottoms avoided prison but drew six months on house arrest at his sentencing yesterday.

“I left my staffers suddenly unemployed. I left my patients without care. My children are in counseling because of my actions. My grandchildren are embarrassed and have distanced themselves from me. I have lost everything,” Dr. Steven Miller, 69, of Wareham yesterday told U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. in a breaking voice.

 

Read full story here

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Arizona–New laws go into effect July 20, 2011

Business Entities (ARS 32-1213(N))
The following language was added to Business Entities. No individual currently holding a surrendered or revoked license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in any state or jurisdiction in the United States may have a majority ownership interest in the business entity registered pursuant to this subsection. Revocation and surrender of licensure shall be limited to disciplinary actions resulting in loss of license or surrender of license instead of disciplinary action.

Investigation/Complaints (Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 32-1263.02)
Investigative Interviews have been eliminated. All cases will be investigated through the chief investigator or an outside dental consultant. The Board will review the summaries of the investigations and if it appears that the licensee engaged in unprofessional conduct the dentist may be invited to attend a formal interview before the Board. Additionally, the Board may resolve more cases through consent agreements.

Powers and duties; executive director; immunity; fees; definition (ARS 32-1207(C))
Language was added to allow the Executive Director or the Executive Director’s Designee to issue and renew licenses, certificates and permits to applicants who meet the requirements; initiate an investigation if evidence appears to demonstrate a licensee may be engaged in unprofessional conduct or unable to safely practice; initiate an investigation if evidence appears to demonstrate that a business entity may be engaged in unethical conduct; subject to Board approval, enter into a consent agreement with a licensee if there is evidence of unprofessional conduct; and subject to Board approval, enter into a consent agreement with a business entity if there is evidence of unethical conduct.

To read all the new changes, click here

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Cashing In by Cashing Out–Small Smiles and the Corporate Practice of Medicine

Listen up!  If you currently work for a dental mill in any capacity this is a must read for you.  If you work for a “chain” dental clinic, it’s for you too.   It lays it all out for the “fake” owners and exactly what can and may happen if you continue to cooperate filling the coffers of Private Equity firms, like Arcapita and FFL.

Excerpt:     

…Children are strapped down to a papoose board to eliminate the time it takes to calm and reassure them before a procedure. Parents are banned from the clinic rooms because they might want to slow the procedure if their child is fearful or in obvious discomfort.

     Unnecessary procedures are performed because the corporation gets paid by Medicaid for every procedure performed, not just the necessary ones. And children get rushed, inadequate, and botched dental work because it’s faster than taking the time to do each procedure properly.

      As the blurred face of the stricken ex-Small Smiles dental assistant explains, it’s all about “production, production, production.” It’s a good mantra for a widget factory. It’s a torture sentence in a dental clinic.

      How are such practices permitted in this day and age? The simple answer is they aren’t –and haven’t been for over a hundred years. Unfortunately, the laws that prevent such practices aren’t systematically enforced, and private equity firms with desires for outsized profits are taking advantage of that fact. They’ve discovered a veritable gold mine in the systematic bilking of Medicaid for their corrupted brand of dental “care”. By inflating the profit margins of these clinics with shoddy and abusive practices, private equity firms can sell the business at an extraordinary profit, with the only fallout being traumatized children who are often too poor to seek recourse – or know that any is due to them…

Click here to read the rest of this brilliant piece!

Dentists Warn of Risks Associated with Sports Drinks

Yes, Church Street Health Management has found a new subject matter to comment on, in order to get press I suppose.

Dentists Warn of Risks Associated with Sports Drinks

1.  One of the founders of the Small Smiles Dental Centers was instrumental in  putting soft drink machines in our schools.  Dan DeRose

2.  Since Church Street Health Management and their illegal Small Smiles Dental Centers target the “underserved” (preferably Medicaid children under 10)I doubt those same individuals are heavy into sports drinks.

“As children of all ages engage in outdoor activities during the summer, there is a growing tendency toward the consumption of sports and energy drinks instead of water,” said Dr. Steven Adair, Chief Dental Officer of Church Street Health Management, which manages more than 70 dental centers for low-income families in 22 states.

Choking on the above statement-They illegally own and operate, not manage, 73 clinics in 22 states and the District of Columbia.  It appears CSHM will do what they can to put their “two cents” out there on a subject matter, press is press I suppose.  :

 “Cashing In by Cashing Out" – It’s a must read!!!

Church Street Health Management’s New Members for 2011

Church Street Health Management finally filed their annual report July 17, 2011 with the Kentucky Secretary of State.

Noticeable changes are the “Managers”,  A Carlyle Group member finally emerges from the shadows.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Two family homes; each profit from taxpayer dollars-Medicaid.

When it comes to discussion of these illegal dental mills, I get so dang sick of all the remarks about “Medicaid moms” and blaming them for the pure existence of these disgusting places.

I have a question for you.

Which one of these homes leave the worst taste in your mouth?  They both live off your tax dollar.

Childhome  RichardMaloufHome