Orthodontics for sale- Texas

I was over on a dental practice brokerage firm site and wondered how many orthodontic clinics might be up for sale in Texas.  Surprisingly there were only two currently listed, however I’m guessing right now you can’t give them away down there…  Anyway, I saw this one and thought it amusing.
Specialty: Orthodontics
Number of Operatories:
Active Patient Count:
One Year Gross:
Opportunity Type:
Practice for Sale
DALLAS – 5 locations - Multi-Million Dollar Investment Opportunity! One owner wishes to sell all locations to the next “Dentist – Entrepreneur”. All staff and associates are to stay. Ideal for more than one Doc willing to “partner up” with a colleague or two. If you are an Oral Surgeon, Pedodontist, Endodontist or Orthodontist you can even have all of these offices refer to your specialty practice. Each facility computerized for easy practice management. Don’t go to work today! Let others “bring home the bacon” for you! Be a contributing clinician in this large operation or just the investor owner. Too much information to list in this ad regarding each location.

Fortune CNN Money article on a New Jersey Medicaid dental clinic

I was a bit offended by the attitude of these piece, but isn’t that the case when the press speaks of the less fortunate, poor or temporarily down on their luck.

It was titled Building a business with unwanted customers”, so I guess I had an attitude before I read it. 

My first thought was; of all the dental centers out there geared to treat child whose parents have fallen on hard times, why this one? 

All the right buzz words and phrases the dental mills use today - “Underserved” and ”Target Patients on Medicaid” for example – were used perfectly.  Even the added “nobility” factor was included – “believes that treating the underserved can make for good business.”

By the end of the article it sounded more like a story about a business in the ‘hometown” section of the local newspaper, not CNN Money.

This may be a fantastic dental center, I don’t know.  All I know is what I read and it had the sound of a local, one shop, assembly line style dental center.  That was until I saw the logo. Continue on and you’ll see what I mean.

Hiring a Compliance Specialist does not Compliance make. Just Saying...

Church Street Health Management is once again looking for a "Compliance Specialist".

Compliant Specialist Wanted
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?Job_DID=J3I2D86WBVZR3TMPCNQ&siteid=cb_emailjob_US

I'm beginning to believe they don't understand how Compliance actually works or may they have comprehension dyslexia, where they understand rules, regulations, laws and agreements backwards.

Anyway, just hiring Compliance Personnel does little to actually "comply". You, the company actually have to take part. Compliance does not happen by osmosis.

I don't know how many folks you will find willing agree to possible Federal jail time just so you can continue defrauding Medicaid. I think those have all been used, come and gone.

However, I am willing to come down and show you every compliance issue you have if you are still having problems understanding it, you've only been trying since 2006!!!!

One thing you might want to look at immediately is the x-ray unbundling, upcoding as well as that nasty occlusal or not occlusal problem! Oh and are you returning the 44.00 per straight-jacketed child you are paid from Indiana?

Just saying...

Small Smiles Dental Centers Liquidation Sale? That’s the latest word I’m getting

Many fake owner dentists have been removed from service, Dr Chu in Phoenix for example has dropped out of sight. Employees have been asking questions for some time and despite denials from company officials, clinics are closing across the county by February 7, 2012.  The Toledo center closed the Friday before Christmas.  (employees found out by seeing the emails between corporate and Dr. Olivia Croom-stupid woman)

(Dr. Karen Chu is listed as owning all the stock in the Children’s Medicaid Dental Center, PC in Arizona, with William Nash as President and Chu as Vice-president.  Of course, Chu owns all of nothing but if I were her, I’d be demanding some further compensation since this is probably the end of the end for her dental career, all the other fake owners as well, like Dr. Monica Switzer in Oklahoma)

The rest of the clinics are up for sale.  Their corporate owner-Church Street Heath Management-Small Smiles Holdings- is trying to pawn the clinics off on individual dentists. Surely CSHM is not stupid enough to offer them financing or management services!  Surely any individual dentist is not stupid enough to take it!  Ask the one dentist who truly does own a piece of his center’s pie.  (Not sure, but I believe that is Dr. Michael Crites.)

Financing should be very difficult for any dentist who might want to purchase any of the clinics since the true income for each center will be difficult to obtain, if not impossible.

In cases where Church Street Health Management does hand over the numbers, they will be based on inflated revenue by the corporation's requirements of overtreatment, up coding (x-rays for example) and out right fraud that continues to this day.

To get an accurate idea of what any center's true income is impossible. Not one of the Small Smiles dental centers has ever operated in a honest professional manner, following any guidelines based in anything other than their own greed; first the DeRose family-Eddie, Michael and Dan, then in fall 2006 the Carlyle Group and First Islamic Bank k/n/a Arcaptia.

As for dentist who work there or have worked there in the past, look for lawsuits to follow you for years to come.

For those who did your best to represent your profession well and treated your patients properly , you should have nothing to be concerned about.

For those that fell under the spell and drank the Kool-aid; assisted in the fraud and abused children, you will get what you deserve. People always do.

For the innocent support staff who will lose jobs, get your resume's out now and I would double think mentioning Small Smiles as a past employer and personally I would not be applying at the other mills, Small Smiles is just the first domino to fall.


The clinics include:

Albany Access Dentistry
Small Smiles of Phoenix
Children’s Medicaid Dental Clinics
Texas Smiles
Oklahoma Smiles
Indian Springs Dental Center

My secret meeting with Todd R. Cruse of Small Smiles Dental-Church Street Health Management

On September 20, 2010, I received an email from Todd Cruse, Church Street Heath Management’s SVP of Development and Government Affairs.

“I’ll be in Kentucky next month. Any interest in having a cup of coffee and conversation?’

After a couple of days I finally responded, “I do apologize for taking so long to respond.  I've been seeing to my daughter and granddaughter.  I was about to reply to your suggestion today when I received a phone call from my attorney telling me Thor Urness wanted my attorney to call him. Upon hearing that, I thought I should wait to hear back from this conversation that Thor requested.  However, I've not heard back.  Until I hear what Thor wanted, I'm not comfortable granting your request for coffee and conversation. However, I do enjoy a good cup of coffee and am open for conversation.”

Thor Urness is the Nashville attorney who Church Street Health Management hired to harass me in the Federal Court system since November of 2008.

Todd responded back, “Thank you for your response. If at some point you become comfortable and would like to have that cup of coffee just let me know.”

By September 29, Thor had never returned the call my attorney had made to him, so I emailed Todd and we made arrangements to meet up for that “coffee and conversation” he so desired. 

Todd said in his return email, “I believe that Thor was following up on the posts that you have since removed so I don’t think Pat will be hearing from him. I am flexible as to where to meet. I have to run up to Bowling Green on Thursday to pick something up - Any interest in meeting me there. I believe there is a Starbucks right on 231 off of I-65 (Scottsville Rd I believe?).Thanks for reaching out.”  He closed the email with “TRC”.

I agreed and the meeting was set for 10 am Thursday October 7, 2010.

Small Smiles Dental Centers Liquidation Sale? That’s the latest word I’m getting

Many fake owner dentists have been removed from service, Dr Chu in Phoenix for example has dropped out of sight. Employees have been asking questions for some time and despite denials from company officials, clinics are closing across the county by February 7, 2012.  The Toledo center closed the Friday before Christmas.  (employees found out by seeing the emails between corporate and Dr. Olivia Croom-stupid woman)

The rest of the clinics are up for sale.  Their corporate owner-Church Street Heath Management-Small Smiles Holdings- is trying to pawn the clinics off on individual dentists. Surely CSHM is not stupid enough to offer them financing or management services!  Surely any individual dentist is not stupid enough to take it!  Ask the one dentist who truly does own a piece of his center’s pie.  (Not sure, but I believe that is Dr. Michael Crites.)

Financing should be very difficult for any dentist who might want to purchase any of the clinics since the true income for each center will be difficult to obtain, if not impossible.

In cases where Church Street Health Management does hand over the numbers, they will be based on inflated revenue by the corporation's requirements of overtreatment, up coding (x-rays for example) and out right fraud that continues to this day.

To get an accurate idea of what any center's true income is impossible. Not one of the Small Smiles dental centers has ever operated in a honest professional manner, following any guidelines based in anything other than their own greed; first the DeRose family-Eddie, Michael and Dan, then in fall 2006 the Carlyle Group and First Islamic Bank k/n/a Arcaptia.

As for dentist who work there or have worked there in the past, look for lawsuits to follow you for years to come.

For those who did your best to represent your profession well and treated your patients properly , you should have nothing to be concerned about.

For those that fell under the spell and drank the Kool-aid; assisted in the fraud and abused children, you will get what you deserve. People always do.

For the innocent support staff who will lose jobs, get your resume's out now and I would double think mentioning Small Smiles as a past employer and personally I would not be applying at the other mills, Small Smiles is just the first domino to fall.

Kool Smiles to Bring PBS KIDS' Award-Winning Content to Dental Patients -- ATLANTA, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

 

Kool Smiles to Bring PBS KIDS' Award-Winning Content to Dental Patients -- ATLANTA, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

I find this hilarious! 

Ok, kids, now is your chance to tell the world what happens to you behind those doors at Kool Smiles Dental and why they ever needed “quiet” hygiene rooms!

Kool Smiles Playlist:

Virginia Dental Board to consider stricter medical emergency rules thanks to a petition by the Raven Marie Blanco Foundation

Raven Marie Blanco died during dental treatment on March 9, 2007.  Since that time her family created a foundation that advocates much stricter guideline for medical emergency readiness.  Virginia has no requirements other than basic CPR, but dentists regularly sedate children for dental treatment.

March 9, 2012 will be the 5 year anniversary of Raven’s death and on that day, the Virginia dental board will present the petition to its members to enlist comments for or against the petition.

The petition asks that the Six Links of Survival developed in 2003 by the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness become part of the license renewal process for Virginia dentists.

You can email the dental board your comments at:

denbd@dhp.virginia.gov

The Six Links to Survival are:

1. Dentist's training
2. Staff training
3. Mock drills
4. Maintaining a written emergency plan
5. Stocking appropriate medications
6. Maintaining appropriate equipment

Dr. Arnel J.Gallanosa facing fraud charges in Indianapolis

Indystar.com

Written by Bill McCleery

An Indianapolis dentist faces fraud charges stemming from an apparent scheme to perform unnecessary dental work in order to collect payment's from Indiana's Medicaid program.

In one case, for example, Arnel J. Gallanosa removed 33 teeth from three patients who were residents of Midtown St. George Residential Facility, said Brienne Delaney, spokeswoman for Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry.

The dentist also allegedly paid patients small kickback fees for agreeing to receive dental work.

"In an effort to garner more business for his dental practice," Delaney said in a release, "Dr. Gallanosa paid staff members and a 'runner' to recruit new patients who were eligible for Medicaid benefits. The patients would be offered five or ten dollars and 'free' dental work."

The Indiana Medicaid program reimbursed Gallanosa for the services, Delaney said, and patients would have no out-of-pocket costs.

The man hired as the runner for the three patients named in court documents previously pleaded guilty to felony prescription fraud in relation to this case. The runner, Darnell White, kept Vicodin pain pills that Gallanosa had prescribed to the three Midtown residents. He remains on probation, Delaney said, following his conviction.

"A licensed medical professional, such as a dentist, should inspire trust and respect," Curry said in a release. "It is thus particularly disturbing for a medical professional to abuse the trust of his patients and prey upon some of our most vulnerable citizens. We will vigorously prosecute any such fraud and abuse."

Working with police and prosecutors, the Indiana Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the fraudulent Medicaid claims and alleged abuse of the patients in the St. George institution, Delaney said.

USDOJ: US Attorney's Office - Eastern District of Virginia

 

Alexandria Dentist Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 10, 2012

ALEXANDRIA, Va. –Tuan Vu, 43, of Annandale, Va., pleaded guilty today to fraudulently billing insurance providers hundreds of thousands of dollars for dental services that he did not provide to his patients. 

            Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by United States District Judge Liam O’Grady. 

            Vu was charged today by criminal information with health care fraud, and he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on May 4, 2012. 

In a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Vu admitted to committing health care fraud from at least January 2007 to September 2011.  Vu is the owner of Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, PLLC, a dental practice located in Alexandria, Va.  During the time of his health care fraud scheme, Vu consistently billed dental insurance providers for services that he did not provide his patients.  As a result of Vu’s offense, at least 10 private insurance providers suffered more than $400,000 in losses.  Dr. Vu’s conduct also resulted in a substantial loss to the federal government and the Commonwealth of Virginia, including $87,389 to the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and $180,048 to the Virginia Medicaid program.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Chad Golder is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.

USDOJ: US Attorney's Office - Eastern District of Virginia

Baker Victory Services Dental Center Fraud

Schneiderman Announces $325,000 Medicaid Fraud Settlement With Erie County Dental Clinic
By [WKBW News]
Story Updated: Jan 9, 2012

Buffalo, N.Y. (WKBW release) -- New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman on Monday announced that Baker Victory Health Services Dental of Lackawanna has paid the state $325,000 in restitution to resolve a Medicaid fraud case involving excess payments received on claims for dental services.

“The regulations for dental clinics are clear and so are the obligations on healthcare providers — if services are billed in violation of the rules for Medicaid reimbursements, the state is owed that money,” Schneiderman said in a news release. “My office is dedicated to recovering taxpayer dollars misspent through violations of the Medicaid program. Wasteful practices are a misuse of taxpayer dollars and abuses like this one will not be tolerated.”

An audit-investigation conducted by Attorney General Schneiderman's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit revealed that during the period of January 1, 2005 though December 31, 2009, Baker Victory allegedly submitted and received payments for dental clinic services for which Medicaid reimbursements were not authorized. The audit-investigation determined that in addition to performing unnecessary procedures, the clinic allegedly performed procedures that should have been done in one visit over multiple visits, resulting in additional fraudulent reimbursements.

Medicaid regulations authorize reimbursements only for teeth cleanings performed every six months, barring medical necessity. In some cases, Baker Victory patients were allegedly receiving cleanings every three to four months without such medical necessity at the taxpayers’ expense. In other cases – in violation of Medicaid regulations that required Baker Victory to perform and bill for cleanings, X-rays, and dental exams in one office visit – the Center allegedly performed such procedures over separate visits, thereby enabling it to collect more money from the Medicaid program.
Baker Victory Services, meanwhile, issued its own news release Monday. It reads:
On Monday, January 9, 2012, the New York Attorney General released news of a settlement between the State and the Baker Victory Services Dental Center. Baker Victory Services has paid $325,000 as a result of a Medicaid Audit which reviewed a random sampling of patient documentation between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009. However, Baker Victory Services denies being involved with any intentional misrepresentations or fraudulent activities.

The Baker Victory Services Dental Center is an area expert in providing dental care to individuals with physical, developmental and behavioral disabilities. A number of the agency's patients have profound mental retardation, cerebral palsy, genetic abnormalities, autism, seizure disorders and other disabling conditions. Individuals with profound disabilities are unable to care for their own dental hygiene, and it is extremely difficult for caregivers to attend to routine brushing and flossing. As a result, this population is at high risk for dental infection and severe health conditions caused by neglected or insufficient dental care.

James Casion, CEO of Baker Victory Services, explains the need for more frequent dental visits for a disabled individual. "Day-to-day dental hygiene is impossible for a profoundly disabled individual to attend to and challenging for caregivers, therefore, in many cases, the individual benefits greatly from having four routine dental cleanings annually as compared to two. It is far more comfortable and cost effective for a disabled individual to receive more frequent preventative care than to be possibly subjected to the trauma and expense of emergency hospital visits. This practice is allowed by the State Department of Health, which encourages this treatment plan as long as it is properly documented."

The Medicaid audit claimed that Baker Victory Services did not appropriately document the medical necessity for a number of cases. "Because an individual's developmental disability does not change from visit to visit, we acknowledge that we did not thoroughly document the medical necessity of quarterly appointments at every visit," Casion explained further. "Since the time of the audit, BVS has enhanced its documentation procedure to demonstrate the medical need each time a patient is seen."

The audit also claimed BVS provided services over two visits that could have been provided in one. "Once again, this practice is for the comfort of a patient with profound developmental disabilities," Casion stated. "A dental visit that involves sitting in a dental treatment chair, or wheelchair, with one's mouth open for an extended period, typically causes anxiety for a disabled individual. The objective is to lessen this discomfort by spreading out the treatment over two visits."

Dr. Anthony David DiNozzi threatens FBI

Ex-Youngwood dentist held in threats 01/10/2012 3:00 AM By Paul Peirce, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
A former Youngwood dentist is slated to appear in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh today after federal agents raided his home late Friday after he allegedly threatened to kill an FBI agent.

Anthony David DiNozzi, 44, who lives with his parents at 714 Kennedy Way, is charged with threatening to kill FBI Special Agent Gregory A. Heeb.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed yesterday, Special Agent Jeffery H. Tisak alleges that DiNozzi telephoned Heeb at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the FBI office in Pittsburgh and left a death threat on his office telephone answering machine.

″Hey, this is DiNozzi. How you doing, buddy?″ DiNozzi stated in the recording, Tisak said.

Tisak alleges that DiNozzi then swore at Heeb and DiNozzi then claimed that numerous FBI agents across the country were listening because ″I'm a witness for Eric Holder.″

″You call me again, I'll have you killed. In defense, do you understand that, you freak?″ DiNozzi allegedly said.

DiNozzi then continued a profanity-laced tirade against Heeb. He also is accused of telephoning Chief U.S. Judge Robert S. Lasnik in Seattle and federal agents there, demanding they prosecute Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Agents subsequently traced the call to DiNozzi's residence.

DiNozzi had his dentistry license suspended in Pennsylvania in 2001, according to state records, and moved his practice to Ohio, where he was convicted in Newark, Ohio, in 2007 for Medicaid fraud.

According to the affidavit filed by Tisak, Heeb and DiNozzi encountered each other during an incident on Feb. 17, 2011, at Pittsburgh International Airport, where airport security flagged DiNozzi as ″a suspicious person″ and DiNozzi subsequently identified himself as a federal agent. Ultimately, no criminal charges were filed in that incident.

Court documents state that about a month after the airport incident, Heeb received a telephone voice message from a person claiming to be a bailiff for a federal judge in Seattle and recommending that the agent telephone Lasnik over an ongoing case. Federal court officials in Seattle subsequently identified DiNozzi as the caller and alleged the suspended dentist had repeatedly called Lasnik in Seattle.

The FBI interviewed DiNozzi in response to those calls, but no criminal charges were filed.

″After the interview, DiNozzi's calls to the court and the Seattle field office stopped″ until Thursday's telephone call to Heeb.

DiNozzi remains in federal custody in the Allegheny County Jail.

Visit to Nashville Small Smiles Headquaters

Visited Small Smiles headquarters in Nashville recently. (618 Church Street) Just checking things out , seeing what happening, that sort of thing. I decided to take a picture of the building directory while on my way to the ground floor restrooms.









There is a lot of action in this old historic building for some reason. Groups of people being lead here and there. I could have sworn I saw Mike Lindley get off the elevator.

I will say the folks rambling around the place do a lot of chatting, especially getting on and off the elevators. Also sounds carry great in the building and the walls in the ground floor restroom carry sound very well.

I thought I heard a group of ladies chatting about several "centers" closing. The number I thought I heard was 20, but that could have been twenty places closing that had nothing to do with Small Smiles Dental centers, who knows.

Is this the beginning of the end for Small Smiles Dental Centers?

In the past three weeks I’ve seen more people with resume’s posted online over at indeed.com who list Small Smiles as their current or former employer.

[you can search resume’s.  Not sure listing them as a former employer is a plus, personally, I would reconsider]

What is that saying? 

Well, it tells me clinics are closing, being sold off-piece mill, massive layoffs are happening, or it’s very possible it could be all of the above.

Toledo closed the week before Christmas. One of the Oklahoma City centers closed a few months ago.  I heard this week the Lead dentist (fake owner) in Phoenix, Dr. Karen Chu, enjoyed her final day last Friday, December 30,2011.

Add in the CEO and President, Michael G. Lindley and Al J. Smith, being fired along with at least one regional manager; it sounds like things are rocky, to say the least, at Church Street Health Management and their string of Small Smiles dental clinics.

This is pure speculation but  the Carlyle Group could be purchasing a larger piece of the Small Smiles brand pie.  Can you say “bailout”?

What I’m confused about is just how they can “sell” clinics they claim they do not own.  After all, they claim individual dentists “own” the clinics and CSHM simply “manages” them.  [liar, liar pants on fire]  I’m suspecting if these clinics are ever sold, the IRS will have a field day!!  In fact, I’m shocked the IRS hasn’t already had fun trying to figure out how Dr. William Nash came to own all these clinics in the first place and then he supposedly sold them to other individual dentists.  He still remained as either president or secretary of all the various entities that have been created. 

If I’m not mistaken one “owner” dentist claimed under oath, and penalty of perjury, they purchased their three clinics directly from Dr. Nash.  However, under oath, they weren’t sure when they purchased them or just how much they paid for them.  Bahahahah!

There is no doubt Arcapita Bank has experienced buyers remorse from day one. There are literally hundreds of legal claims and lawsuits against Church Street Health Management, their Small Smiles Dental Centers and various employees, and many more on the horizon. 

This is just a guess, but they have probably wanted to cut the tongue out of the attorney who told them this illegal operation was legit in the first place.  Since this person was irresponsible at the least and guilty of malpractice at the most. 

In light of everything, any one would be foolish to buy any of these centers or this company as a whole.

I would also me very worried if Church Street Health Management or any of their individual Small Smiles Dental Centers owed me money.  Personally, I’d me headed to 618 Church Street in Nashville, Tennessee and asking for a cashiers check immediately!

Small Smiles dentist Karen Chu, DMD blogs.

Yep, blogging of all things.  Not just one blog, but two of them. 

Karen Chu, DMD Blog
Phoenix Small Smiles Blog

On one of her blogs, Dr. Chu gives the public a fun “how to ” tip to help parent prepare children for their first dentist visit, to her I suppose. (you’ll see what I mean) 

She recommends story time saying:

“Much of the fear and upset young children experience on those 1st appointments come from having no "frame of reference" for  the strange environment, strange people and even stranger actions happening to and around them.”

To further assist she’s taken the time (a lot it appears) to put together a little slideshow/visual aid to help parents spin a fun,yet accurate, fairy tale.  It’s absolutely delightful, you’ll see.

Toddlers Dental Visit Story Karen Chu Dmd

View more presentations from karenchudmd

Last I had heard about Dr. Karen Chu, DMD, the fake owner dentist of all the Arizona Children Medicaid Dental Clinics (Small Smiles Dental) she was not allowed to do anything more than hygiene on patients. I had heard she had failed a few chart audits and there might be some issues with slashing children’s gums while drilling, restraining their heads, yelling at the children, telling the children if they don’t hold still their mother will leave them, and lying about the real amount of anesthesia she uses on the children, i.e. writes down 1.5 carpules of anesthesia when she really used 3. I also heard she will leave a child in the papoose board for well over an hour, headed toward two, but only documents the time limit of 1 hour.

Dr. Chu’s profile says she believes every child should have a beautiful smile.  I have to question then, what she considers beautiful.  This?

Being that Dr. Chu is an “owner dentist” she must be quite loyal to the corporate heads, they only allow those they can truly trust or blackmail to be “owner dentists” I think.  She was one of their top producers in 2010 that’s for sure.  However, she is not indispensible,  her last day was Friday December 28, 2011!  Whoop Whoop!!

(it’s likely when I post this, the blogs will disappear within minutes, but not to worry, I have the nice slideshow presentation backed up if necessary)

One dentist’s view on the ADA

Posted by Frenchpotato

The reason they can take advantage of you is simply because there are too many dentists, and a lot more are coming down the pike.

The ADA does not care.  The ADA has really disappointed me. ADA automatically gives all these new schools provisional accreditation.
 
I hope I live long enough to see dental schools start closing as they did in the 1980's.  Maybe I will live long enough to see people wake up and stop joining the ADA.

BTW, when I was being encouraged to join the ADA, other dentists would say, if you do not join and you  are ever sued, the opposing attorney will say, "she is not even a member of the ADA."

Seriously, I would like to hear ONE  good reason to be a member of the ADA.

The deaths at the dentist office we don’t hear about

This was posted on a dental forum/message board back in April 2011:

 

A friend of mine is an associate for a dental office. There are two doctors working that day, he and the other doctor ( i will call her Sue). Dr. Sue attempted to perform a surgical extraction #17 on the patient. The patient is 39 yr old male. After spending some time unsuccessfully trying to remove tooth, Dr. Sue decided to stop and refer to OS. Pt. was dismissed from the chair, and walked to front desk to reappoint with OS. Pt. complained of dizziness shortly after. He went to use he restroom. Dr. Sue didn't want to enter the restroom so she asked my doctor riend to check on him. He went and checked blood pressure of patient. Pt. had bp 250/110 and called paramedic.  Without going further into detail, Pt. was taken by paramedic. My friend doctor found out later the pt. had hx hypertension and didn't take his bp meds that day. Also, my friend found out only later that night pt also fell while trying to use restroom.  Pt. had surgery for something in his head (no specific details given) in ER and went into coma. Apparently he never came out and passed away a month later. My friend said Dr. Sue never checked her pt. med hx prior to procedure. No blood pressure was taken either prior to work and no consent forms were signed for extraction procedure. Dr. Sue did state in her notes that she administered local anesthetic with epinephrine and she stated same to paramedic upon questioning by them. My friend was the one who took the pt. blood pressure and called 911, helped get Oxygen for pt and stayed with patient. Dr. Sue was working on another pt the whole time and didn't come out until paramedic came. It seemed she defer all responsibility to my friend when it was her patient. What type of legal repercussions will this have on Dr. Sue or my friend doctor. I know he was not the treating doctor but since this is involved a pt. death what is going to happen legally here for everyone? The owner of the dental office is neither Dr. Sue or my friend. 

So you want to work for a corporate dental chain? What should Dr. Beth do?

 

 

Beth A. Dorain, DMD
Lafayette, Colorado

Employer: Perfect Teeth
Management Company: Birner Dental Management Service, Inc – Mark Birner, DDS-President

I am working for a corporate chain.  I do not like it, and I thought they were jerks.  The CEO called to yell at me about October's low production.  (FWIW, there were many legitimate reasons for the low production in October.)  Not worth listing here.  Production more than doubled in November.  The next day, he called to say he was going to change my compensation to purely a percentage of production.  After the first phone call,  I was 100% certain that I was going to quit in short order.  So, I went ahead and signed it.

Now, I've come to realize that I make 30% of insurance reimbursements and patient's co-pay.  The problem is that they take a lot of DMOs with capitation checks.  I spend a lot of time doing exams, fillings, etc. and discovered that there is no re-imbursement for those procedures.  The compensation for the work comes in the cap check.    But, they will not give me ANY percentage of that cap check.  I did not realize that I was doing exams, fillings, etc. FOR FREE.  In many cases, the fillings are $0.00 or the co-pays are ridiculously low. 

For example, I did three anterior root canals on one patient.  The total reimbursement for it was $120.00.  So, I made $36.00 for the three root canals. 
Is it even legal for this organization to expect me to work for FREE.
My contract does say (excludes capitation check)
I'm getting a lawyer!!!!!!!!

I did forget to mention one very important detail, one month after I signed the Addendum, I did get another offer which I accepted.  However, I am supposed to give my current employer 90 days notice (which I did on December 15.  That keeps me in "jail" until mid March.  I am hoping to not honor those 90 days due to the language of the original agreement. 

 

A very disturbing search term that was used December 29, 2011, that brought someone to my site.  The person was from Jackson, Mississippi and used the term “child overdoeses at kool Smiles”  IP was 76.107.149.87

If you have information about this, please email me at cckaddie@yahoo.com

Dr. Jay Jensen–Former Iowa dentist pays fine for poor quality dental care. He’s now in Leander, Texas

Dr. Jay Jensen is now unleashing his dental care to the citizens of Leander, Texas, and apparently he has a problem with quality.  He just paid a $5000 fine to settle one complaint and there are three more complaints against him.   He’s employed at Crystal Falls Dental.  For some reason, this guy still has a dental license!

November 28, 2011
WEST DES MOINES — A former West Des Moines dentist has been fined $5,000 over allegations he provided poor care.

The Des Moines Register reports Dr. Jay Jensen agreed to pay the fine to settle the case filed in 2009 by the Iowa Dental Board. He's accused of making several mistakes during a full-mouth reconstruction.

Jensen used to own Restoration Dental. His attorney says he's moved to Texas and now practices in the Austin area.

Meanwhile, another West Des Moines dentist has surrendered his license to the dental board after admitting to a relapse into alcoholism. Dr. Bruce Krook says he hasn't been accused of poor care and hopes to have his license reinstated in the future.

05771  LACL117004
ADRIENNE BOYD & BART BOYD VS JAY J JENSEN DDS ET AL
JENSEN DDS, JAY J
DEFENDANT

05771  LACL118969
SANDRA EGLI VS JAY J JENSEN DDS ETAL
JENSEN DDS, JAY J
DEFENDANT

05771  LACL120790
ZSUZSANNA F ASCHOFF & JAMES ASCHOFF VS JAY J JENSEN DDS ETAL
JENSEN DDS, JAY J
DEFENDANT

05771  LACL123316
DIANE J ROBERTS VS JAY J JENSEN DDS AND RESTORATION DENTAL
JENSEN DDS, JAY J
DEFENDANT

#4: Barber found guilty of offering bribe

Stephen Barber found guilty of offering bribe

Christmas Programming Guide

Byron Harris of WFAA-TV Channel 8– Dallas - will be airing an in depth documentary on crooked Medicaid dentists in Texas called “Crooked Teeth” It’s currently set to air at 11:30 on Sunday. 

Don’t miss it!

Well, this should scare the hell out of every parent in Kentucky- Merry Christmas

From the front page of the DOCS education website:

A concerned dentists writes about his worries, sadly they are directed to the wrong person.

Here is an email I received early this morning--December 23, 2011-from someone who spent all of 2 seconds on this blog.  He reports to be Dr. Glenn Krieger and from looking at my site stats, I have no reason to believe it’s not from Dr. Krieger.

Hey there.

I am a dentist of 20 years (general dentist).  I have a spot clean record and have even served on a peer review committee.

I just want to tell you that although I agree with what you are doing and why you are doing it, you are causing more harm than good. 

[Well, which is it, Dr. Krieger,  or is this your Carnegie sandwich methodology?  More harm, that good.  Hmmm….  You might want to look at your peers on that accusation. ]

There are certainly "bad apples" in dentistry and they should be removed, but scaring the general public with nasty adjective laden inflammatory obituaries is just plain wrong.

[Yes, Doc, there sure are some “bad apples”.  Do you have an estimate of just how many?  At least 2000 unqualified and/or are driven by corporate greed dentists preforming careless, reckless, and unnecessary procedures every day, and that’s a low ball number. 

No Sir, it is NOT wrong.  What is wrong is that no one else will tell it just like it is and not worry about all the political correct;soft spoken, sugar coated truths; that make it much easier for you to swallow. Can you tell me, Sir, just how many people died during dental procedures in from January 2010 to present?  If you can’t you need to be finding out!]

Dad saves son from deadly “tooth devil”

Names and location has been changed.

December 20, 2011

Seldom do I get an email from a parent whose child has entered “stainless crown hell” before the damage has been done. So it’s exciting to hear a good story for a change.

Most of the time I hear from parents only after the shocked and outraged has taken control after seeing their child post-treatment by one of the, all too common “tooth devils”. Their son or daughter was returned to them in the waiting room where they had patiently waited. Their child’s face is swelled, and bruised; the child is soaked with sweat, urine or both; the child is hysterical and inconsolable; their precious child now has a mouth full of stainless steel crowns.

That’s how it goes on a good day. On a bad one, they’ve heard an ambulance pull up and see the paramedics rush to the back, and within minutes, they see their beloved baby rushed into the ambulance, and whisked away to the nearest emergency room, and chances are high, it will not end well.

This week, however, I received a different type of email. This email was from a father who had taken his children to the dentist for a standard examination at Shortcut Dental Group. After taking several x-rays of his 7 year old, the dentist at Shortcut Dental told the father his son needed work done, but it would require sedation so they referred him to Pretty Damn Greedy (PDG) dental.

At PDG, they refused to use the x-rays from Shortcut Dental. PDG told dad that it was not “common practice” to send over the x-rays with the patient file and insisted the x-rays be retaken at PDG. Dad said it was a struggle at Shortcut Dental to get the x-rays. He now feared for his son being traumatized and exposed to the radiation once again. After the examination, Dr. K at PDG shocked dad telling him his son needed at least one tooth pulled and 7 crowns. In shock, dad questioned Dr. K telling the doctor his son has lost four of his baby teeth, and now he’s being told 8 of what his child has left needs urgent dental treatment; treatment that requires sedation! Dad had a gut feeling something wasn’t right, left and went home to do some research of his own.  Thank God for the Internet!

His research stunned him. He found that at least one patient had died at PDG in 2010 and there was almost a second death at PGD the very same day, it was the very next patient! Yet, Shortcut Dental was referring his son to this chamber of death without batting an eye.

This child was lucky. After dad’s research, and a few email exchanges, he was able to find a local dentist who still considers ethics of supreme importance; whose purpose is to create a trusting relationship with children; who is dedicated to providing a pleasant dental experience and only treat what needs treating; not how many procedures he can charge and not be questioned.

I wish there was a list of the good guys, with dentist that are truly prescreened. 

New rules in Texas could pose major problem

Appears Texas new Medicaid enrollment you must list your dentists name. Kool Smiles advises their patients to not just list Kool Smiles. HUGE problem, patient don't have clue who their doc is and with a 50% turnover rate it's not likely you will see the same doc twice.

http://www.mykoolsmiles.com/texas-medicaid

Student found dead after dental surgery–AGAIN! In Georgia–AGAIN! Wisdom Teeth Removal–AGAIN!

By Erica Byfield
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. —
A community is mourning the death of a standout basketball player.
Jerry Coleman, 19, died sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning.
His family found him in his bedroom.
Coleman passed away days after having his wisdom teeth removed.
"He was a gifted athlete with gifted talent, but far more than that he was a super human being," said his former basketball coach David Allen at Central Gwinnett High School.
"He approached life the same way he approached the game it was 100 percent," Allen said.
Coleman graduated from high school last year.
In his junior year, Coleman helped his team become the Region 8-AAAAA Boys Basketball Champions.
He was currently enrolled at Kennesaw State.
Allen told Channel 2’s Erica Byfield he hoped to walk onto the college’s basketball team next season.
Coleman's former teammates plan to honor him in some way this season.
The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner has not yet released an official cause of death.
This incident comes less than two weeks after another teen died after having his wisdom teeth removed.
Law enforcement is investigating after 14-year-old Ben Ellis died after having his wisdom teeth removed. The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are looking into the cause of death.

Student found dead after dental surgery–AGAIN! In Georgia–AGAIN! Wisdom Teeth Removal–AGAIN!

 

By Erica Byfield Tuesday December 20, 2011

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. —

A community is mourning the death of a standout basketball player.

Jerry Coleman, 19, died sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning.

His family found him in his bedroom.

Coleman passed away days after having his wisdom teeth removed.

"He was a gifted athlete with gifted talent, but far more than that he was a super human being," said his former basketball coach David Allen at Central Gwinnett High School.

"He approached life the same way he approached the game it was 100 percent," Allen said.

Coleman graduated from high school last year.

In his junior year, Coleman helped his team become the Region 8-AAAAA Boys Basketball Champions.

He was currently enrolled at Kennesaw State.

Allen told Channel 2’s Erica Byfield he hoped to walk onto the college’s basketball team next season.

Coleman's former teammates plan to honor him in some way this season.

The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner has not yet released an official cause of death.

This incident comes less than two weeks after another teen died after having his wisdom teeth removed.

Law enforcement is investigating after 14-year-old Ben Ellis died after having his wisdom teeth removed. The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are looking into the cause of death.

Mystery - Dallas, Flower Mound or Roanoke Texas Dental Death??

Since December 6th (2011) or so, there is at least one visitor to this blog a day brought here by using search terms about a death of a child from dental sedation in Texas.  I can’t find anything on this.
Here are some of the “search terms” or “keywords” used:
Child death Roanoke ( I first that is was VA, but now it’s showing up as TX)
Child death Flower Mound
Child death Dallas
Texas Dental Child Death
Death Dentist Texas
7 year old girl death in dentist chair Dallas
Dentist Death Texas
Child Death in dentistry
6 year old died in dental clinic Dallas Texas
Flower Mound boy killed by anesthesia during dental treatment
Child dies in dental chair Dallas
ALSO:
Why is Banner Health in Phoenix searching for “new york pediatric death of dental patient using nitrous oxide”?
Anyone have any info?

Kokomo dentist’s licensed revoked, but who cares, right? He’s still practicing dentistry.

December 9, 2011

Kokomo dentist’s license revoked

16 patients have filed multiple complaints against Dr. Joseph Beck

By KEN de la BASTIDE and Daniel Human Tribune staff writer The Kokomo Tribune Fri Dec 09, 2011, 10:39 PM EST

Kokomo — Although his dental license was revoked by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry, Dr. Joseph Beck continues to practice dentistry in Kokomo.

The dental board voted unanimously Dec. 2 to revoke Beck’s license, according to the Indiana Attorney General’s office. The board ordered Beck to pay costs and a $31,000 fine within 60 days of the order, which had not been issued as of Friday.

According to court records, 16 of Beck’s patients have alleged he billed for procedures not performed, had assistants performing dental procedures they were not trained for, failed to keep adequate records and did not keep up-to-date on professional theory.

Patients’ accounts date as far back as 2002.

Despite the ruling, the office of Beck Family Dentistry remains open.

Sexual Pervert, Pimp Dentist out of jail and ready to drill and fill, again.

I’m wondering what kind of “drilling” and “filling” this creep plans on doing to his patients and just what cliental he expects.  However, I know a few dental mills where he would fit perfectly.  Pretty low standards in Illinois to be a healthcare provider.  Why even bother with testing and licensing at all.

 

Freed dentist eager to start drilling again

By Natasha Korecki Federal Courts Reporter nkorecki@suntimes.com December 18, 2011 5:38PM

Onetime Chicago dentist Gary Kimmel went to prison in 2009 after he admitted he aided pimps in a prostitution trafficking ring.

The aid included providing space in Marina Towers for paid sex acts to happen, buying luxury cars for pimps in his name and keeping his office open late to fix the teeth of battered prostitutes.

In one case, Kimmel fixed a prostitute’s teeth for free in exchange for her performing sex acts for his friend, according to prosecutors.

That was back when Kimmel, affectionately referred to as “Doc” by those who know him, ran a popular and successful dental practice at 233 E. Erie.

In an emergency bid at the time of his indictment, the state stripped Kimmel of his ability to practice dentistry. He was sentenced to 37 months in 2009.

Now, Kimmel is already out of prison.

And despite his felony conviction, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned he’s ready to practice dentistry again — and eligible to renew his license.

Horror story from a viewer who saw the piece on Jenny Olenick’s death

Hello:

I saw in the news about the teenager that died from her surgery on wisdom teeth. It made me so mad. I wanted to tell you what happened to me.

I went Dr. James Holley in Virginia Beach, VA. for a small cavity and some cosmetic repair with a crown.

When he did the cavity he said I had another cavity that needed a root canal. I had a seizure in the chair and could not move or speak, he continued with the procedure.  I heard his dental assistant say '”don't you think you should stop” and he said,  “I have given her more than enough”. When I was finally able to speak he told me seizures was normal for some patients.

He told his assistant to finished the filling and I asked her, “are you trained to finish root canal fillings.”  She replied, “Sort of,  he lets us do it and than he checks it.”  It was not a permanent filling, it was a temporary filling.

Because it was in the back I didn't see the infection growing. I woke up one day and there was a pimple above my front tooth. I went back to him and he said an infection was in the membranes and I had to see a endocrinologist.

Texas - State Senate to Hold Hearing on Medicaid Dental

Texas - State Senate to Hold Hearing on Medicaid Dental

 

Byron Harris
WFAA

December 16, 2011

DALLAS - Since last spring, News 8 investigations have uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars of questionable Medicaid payments for orthodontics for children. The state prohibits Medicaid expenditures for cosmetic dentistry, including braces in most cases.

But records obtained by News 8 under the Texas Public Information Act found that Texas spent $184 million providing braces for poor children under Medicaid last year alone, as much as the rest of the nation combined.
Now State Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) plans to hold hearings on the issue.

Fox News report on Jenny Olenick’s parents suing dentist after her death. Jenny died in 2011

 

There have been 24 pediatric deaths related to complications due to dental procedures in the past seven years. This number accounts only for reported pediatric deaths. Shockingly, of the 24 pediatric deaths occurring within the seven year period, 11 have been within the last 21 months. 52% of the deaths have occurred since April of 2010! What once may have been viewed as a rarity has clearly become an epidemic. Wake-up Dr. Milton Houpt!

If you add the adult deaths, the numbers skyrocket.  If we knew the exact number of pediatric deaths and adult deaths I think everyone would be is shock!  Many are unreported as taking place during dental procedures.  Just last week I heard from a person whose friend’s husband had died in Florida just a few months ago during a dental procedure. She said the man had been dead for 15 minutes before the dental assistant brought it to his attention.  This never saw the pages of a news paper or a spot on the evening news.  There are hundreds more of these same kind of stories.  Mr. Milton Houpt ,the ADA and the AAPD do NOT want the true numbers told, it’s a $3 billion dollar a year industry!

Here is a memo sent out by the AAPD after the death of Jacobi Hill in Richmond, Virginia in 2010.

Nor does the DOCS Education program; a drive thru; weekend; three day seminar to teach dentist the fine art of sedation.  Used to help general dentists increase services and revenue streams.  A very dangerous one at that!

Someone has suggested it’s only a coincidence that the major dental agencies that set the standards and shape state rules and regulations are all located at the same address in Chicago: 211 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

American Dental Association

Academy of General Dentistry

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

American Student Dental Association

American College of Prosthodontists

American Association of Endodontists

and…drum roll please…..

The American Association of Dental Boards

Just a coincidence? 
The ADA owns the building and simply leases it to other organizations, no conspiracy? 

I say Hogwash!!

The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation helps parents whose children have died during dental treatment

The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation (RMBF)was established after 8 year old Raven Blanco died during sedation dentistry. The foundation is committed to educating parents and professional of the risks that lead to these deaths as well as safety measures that can easily be taken to reduce such risks. The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation travels as funds will allow to dental conventions across the nation where they set up their booth to promote safety and educated the dental community. They are not always met with open arms.  Here is a public service announcement from 2010

Here are the names of 39 children who have died in recent years.
I met with Nicole, Raven’s cousin and Director of the RMBF, and Mario, Raven’s father, and have to say they are some of the loveliest people you will ever meet. They truly are committed to their cause. Sadly it has been falling on many a deaf ear, but that has not deterred them for one minute. They work tirelessly and are never to busy to help.  I am proud to know such wonderful and selfless people.
The RMBF provides much needed support for parents who have suffered the pain of death of their child. They assist in raising money to help pay for funeral expenses, including traveling to fundraisers when time allows. Other times it’s putting these parents in contact with each other to help each other for support.
The RMBF has a facebook page at http://facebook.com/rmbfinc

http://www.rmbfinc.org/
http://www.ravenblanco.com

RMBF, Inc.
PO BOX 65581
Virginia Beach, VA 23467
1-757-449-3565
Currently, they RMBF is seeking dontation to assist the family of Jermaine Lee Harrison, Jr who died during a dental procedure in Stockton, California on November 11, 2011.
You can make a donation by clicking here.
RMBF, INC. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
.

FYI–There are more deaths than this and Dr. Milton Houpt is full of BS!

There is also an memo out there from the AAPD that was sent out to all members with a “script” on what to say…  I think it’s here on this blog someplace, look around.

 

Yahoo News

The parents of 17-year-old Jenny Olenick of Woodstock, Md., are the latest to sue a dentist for negligence in connection with a pediatric dental surgery death. Olenick died in April, according to ABC News, after suffering oxygen deprivation in the dental chair. The lawsuit charges the dentist and anesthesiologist with failure to resuscitate Olenick.

Prevalence of Dental Surgery Deaths

The pediatric dentistry chairman at New Jersey Dental School, Milton Houpt, told Tampa Bay Online last year that there are no national statistics on deaths in the dentist's chair. He says such deaths are rare, though, based on anecdotal evidence.

Media Reports of Pediatric Dental Deaths

These are some other recent deaths associated with pediatric dental procedures reported in the media:

* Tampa Bay Online said Corey Moore died at age 9 from a dental procedure performed in Tampa, Fla., in 2009.

* 5-year-old Dylan Stewart of Cedar Key, Fla., died in 2010, Tampa Bay Online said.

* ABC News reported that Ben Ellis, 14, died Dec. 8, the day after he had a wisdom tooth removed in Gilmer County, Ga.; he was found dead in his bed.

* Thirteen-year-old Marissa Kingery of Elyria, Ohio, died in January after undergoing dental surgery, the Plain Dealer reported. She fell into a coma and died two weeks after the procedure.

* A 4-year-old Stockton, Cal., boy, Jermaine Lee Harrison died in November during dental surgery. Because of pre-existing heart problems, his surgery was performed at Oakland Hospital, the Contra Costa Times said.

* In May 2010, 6-year-old Jacobi Hill died at Virginia Commonwealth University's dental clinic in Richmond, Va., ABC News reported.

* Raven Blanco, age 8, died under conscious sedation in a Virginia Beach, Va., dental office in 2007, according to WVEC.

Who May Administer Anesthesia in the Dental Office?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that three staff be present when deep sedation occurs in a dental office. The anesthesia provider should be a licensed medical or dental practitioner with certification for providing anesthesia; he should monitor the patient's vital signs, airway patency, cardiovascular and neurological status and adequacy of ventilation.

When state law permits a registered nurse anesthetist or anesthesia assistant to provide anesthesia to dental patients, the dentist himself should be trained and licensed in the administration of anesthesia, according to AAPD guidelines. AAPD also says the operating dentist and clinical staff need to maintain current expertise in basic life support in case something goes wrong.

Deaths can also occur with local anesthesia. As of Oct. 2008, it was legal in 43 states for dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia, RDH Magazine reported, and 26 allow them to administer nitrous oxide.

Problems in Pediatric Dental Death Cases

Several problems have been identified in pediatric dental death cases. Dentists' offices may not have working defibrillators as in Raven Blanco's case. Dental personnel may not be trained in life support, despite AAPD guidelines. In Corey Moore's case, the decision to sedate him knowing he'd recently eaten may have contributed to his death. And underlying medical problems may be a factor as in Jermaine Lee Harrison's case.

KRCA reported in 2006 on one pediatric dental death in Sacramento the previous summer that was ruled a homicide. In that case, the dentist reportedly covered 3-year-old Rogelio Campos-Crespo's nose and mouth to calm him and left a 4-inch by 4-inch gauze pad in his mouth, smothering and gagging him.

Jenny Olenick’s parents file suit over her death during dental surgery.

By Kevin Rector, krector@tribune.com

December 13, 2011 | 6:16 p.m.

The parents of a Woodstock teen who died 10 days after losing oxygen during a routine wisdom tooth surgery March 28 in Columbia are suing the anesthesiologist and the oral surgeon involved for medical malpractice, according to court records filed Nov. 30.

The civil suit, which also names three dental practices associated with the doctors, is the latest development in an unusual medical case that shocked the Marriotts Ridge High School community, where Jennifer "Jenny" Michelle Olenick was a smiley, 17-year-old junior involved in choir.

The suit claims that Dr. Krista Michelle Isaacs, the anesthesiologist, and Dr. Domenick Coletti, the oral surgeon, were negligent in their care of Olenick and failed to resuscitate her after her heart rate slowed to a "panic level" of 40 beats per minute and her body began losing oxygen.

The suit claims those failures led to Olenick not having a pulse when emergency responders arrived at Coletti's Columbia office, and that they directly allowed for the "massive and irreversible brain injury" that resulted in her death April 6.

Ben Ellis, 14, dies just hours after having wisdom teeth removed | Mail Online

 

A 14-year-old boy was found dead in his bed the day after having his wisdom teeth removed, Wednesday December 8, 2011.

Ben Ellis, from Gilmer County, Georgia, had the dental surgery on Wednesday morning. Less than 24 hours later he was dead.

Law enforcement is investigating the boy's mysterious death and will perform an autopsy and toxicology tests, but there is said to be a history of seizures in the family, which Ben has suffered from before.

Ben’s family told the Sheriff's Office that he seemed fine on Wednesday after the surgery, according to wsbtv.com.

'He had dental surgery at approximately 10:30 on Wednesday morning. Through the rest of the day he seemed to be doing fine. He went to bed.

'Through the day he had taken one penicillin tablet and one Oxycodone, that we’re aware of. They (his parents) checked on him around 1am, and again, he was doing fine.

'Then at 6am, when they went to get him up, they found him deceased,' Lt Frank Coleman said.

Ben Ellis, 14, dies just hours after having wisdom teeth removed | Mail Online

Dental Dreams to Healthy Smiles ?

 

Not sure about the rest of the country but in Louisiana the people who own that nasty little dental mill referred to as Dental Dreams, go under the name Health Smiles, LLC as of July 2011.

There are lots of employment ads out there, all have Chryrisse Patterson, Director of Human Resourses name attached to them.  People are to email her at cipatterson@kosservices.com. 

Kos Services is owned by Khurram Hussain, Dr. Sameera Hussain’s other half.

 

A google search on these two will give you lots of nasty stuff, including the fact they had a teen die after treatment at one of their clinics earlier 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So who is Dr. Paulina Demos-Arne who has registered Health Smiles in Louisiana, well she’s not the “owner” of Health Smiles, I bet.

Mobile: Jury deadlocked in trial of Lansing-area dentist | The Republic

Mobile: Jury deadlocked in trial of Lansing-area dentist | The Republic

Top Ten Nation: Top 10: Best Ways To Avoid Litigation In Dentistry

Here is what was suggested over at TopTenNation.com.  I say these are probably NOT the top ten!!!

Top Ten Nation: Top 10: Best Ways To Avoid Litigation In Dentistry

Practicing dentists always dread a few aspects of their careers and being sued by an angry patient, or even having a complaint filed against you can ruin not only your day but destroy your happiness for months on end. Top Ten Nation believes being prudent starts in dental school. Develop good habits in dental school and continue throughout your practicing life. So what habits or tricks should you know early on? Read on and find out!
This article is not written by an attorney and this article does not in any way shape or form replace advice by an attorney. Always consult your attorney first and foremost when it comes to litigation or protection from litigation.

Top 10 Things To Know To Avoid Getting Sued As A Dentist

1. Have knowledge about who is most likely to sue or complain
Having a complaint filed against you to your state, territorial, or provincial dental board can mean missing valuable productive days as a dentist. So who complains the most when you’re practicing? You’d imagine at first it might be your irate patients. Think again! Most complaints to dental boards that dentists encounter are actually filed against them by their own employees! Employees can complain against their dentist employers for multiple reasons, but most reasons generally involve instances where employees are made to do something they believe is wrong in the first place. Forcing your employees to cut corners, jeopardize sterilization standards, or even perform tasks that demean or embarrass them can lead to complaints. Treat your employees like family and avoid litigation, treat them like subordinates and expect litigation!
2. Documentation
Quality records and chart entries reflect quality patient care, especially in the minds of tribunals/jurors. We all know this. Additional things to keep in mind in this regard:
- Make the chart entry as soon as possible after the patient’s visit
- Sign or initial the entry to clearly identify who made the entry
- Make the entry clear, concise and complete
- Do not note fees in the clinical record
- Do not make negative remarks about the patient

 

ADA, AGD, AAPD, ASDA, ACP, AAE and American Association of Dental Boards… all same Chicago address….hmmm

American Dental Association

Academy of General Dentistry

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

American Student Dental Association

American College of Prosthodontists

American Association of Endodontists

and…drum roll please…..

The American Association of Dental Boards

I’m sure there are more….but these “associations” are all located in the same building in Chicago, IL.

211 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

DR. CHRISTOPHER JON FREYERMUTH D.M.D–Smile Center, Plymouth MA billed for services he’s not qualified to perform–Othodontics

Mass. dentist accused of $250K in Medicare fraud

By DrBicuspid Staff

Dr. Bicuspid story here

December 12, 2011 -- SmileCenter, a dental office in Plymouth, MA, received at least $253,519 in unallowable reimbursements from MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program, according to the state auditor's office.

Most of the billing was for orthodontic services performed by a dentist who did not possess the required accreditation, State Auditor Suzanne Bump stated in a press release.

According to MassHealth regulations, dentists who practice orthodontics must complete a minimum of two years of training in a specialized program administered by the ADA.

SmileCenter's sole dentist, who is also its sole proprietor, did not complete such a program, but still billed and received $201,509 from MassHealth for orthodontic services.

As a result of the investigation, MassHealth will terminate SmileCenter's specialty as an orthodontic practice, transfer its members for treatment to other dentists, and seek restitution, according to the state auditor.

Small Smiles – Church Street Health Management restructuring

I’m hearing there are changes happening all over the place at CSHM.  I know none of this as fact, just rumors, but interesting rumors I must say.
1. Michael Lindley – Fired
2. Al Smith – Fired
3. Todd Cruse – Promoted to replace Michael Lindley
4. Jason Owen – the South and West Regional Manager – Fired
5. Looking for yet another Compliance Officer – seems they have serious issues in this area doesn’t it.
6. Dr. Olivia Croon – Promoted to regional manager, possibly to replace non-dentist Jason Owen.  Remains “co-fake owner”of Ohio clinics.  Poor Jason, guess he will have to get out there and “eat what he kills” as well.
7. Toledo dental center, where Dr. Croon is “lead dentist” is being closed
8. Dr. Kevin Reilly – North and East regional manager promoted.
9. Dr. Marlene Navaro hired to replace Dr. Kevin Reilly as North and East regional manager.
10. Rodney Cawood – Filing state documents changing their Registered Agent in several states.  Something, Linda Zoeller usually does.  Changing from CT Corporation Systems to National Registered Agents

Dr. Edward Dove - Bakersfield Dentist gets high-profile attention

If your child was hurt, injured, over treated or mistreated by Dr. Edward Dove, Email Me for more information about this dentist.

High-profile attorney enters fray over controversial dentist
BY KELLIE SCHMITT Californian staff writer
kschmitt@bakersfield.com | Saturday, Dec 03 2011 09:00 PM

Photo details at end of article

As the California Dental Board investigates claims that a Bakersfield dentist mistreated his young patients, some families are seeking representation from a high-profile Colorado attorney.

In August, dozens of local parents formed a Facebook group alleging Dr. Edward Dove improperly cared for their children, including scratching and hitting them while they were not sufficiently numb and restrained with Velcro straps.

This week, a representative from Dove's office said the dentist had no comment, and that office staff had been instructed not to discuss the matter, either. In a previous interview, Dove, who currently has a clean disciplinary record, told The Californian that he gave excellent care and that the parents were inventing the allegations.

Attorney Jim Moriarty, who said he's ready to sign with the parents, has been involved in several national healthcare matters -- including a case against Tenet Healthcare for unnecessary heart procedures at a Redding facility. That case that resulted in a $430 million settlement for the plaintiffs and a $24 million payout to the government.

More recently, Moriarty is representing hundreds of plaintiffs in a case unrelated to Dove against Small Smiles dental centers, a chain of clinics that serves low-income families throughout the nation.  (Moriarty contract information in the right had column-Jim Moriarty)

Moriarty alleges the chain makes money "by exploiting the Medicaid system," and doing unnecessary procedures that "traumatize" children. In that case, Moriarty has investigated what he describes as routine over-treatment and extremely fast care that "can't be done without emotionally and physically traumatizing children."

Moriarty, who met with some Bakersfield parents in October, said he was drawn to the local case in part because of its extraordinary mobilization effort. Parent Chris Cook, who was angry about his son's care, created a Facebook site that ultimately attracted hundreds of fellow parents, supporters and observers. The site drew patients from both Dove's Bakersfield and Chatsworth offices, who did not know each other previously.

"What Cook and these parents have done is sheer brilliance," Moriarty said. "They've done more to shine the light on this issue than any other parents in the country."

Dentist accused of Medicaid fraud–Utica, NY

Dentist accused of Medicaid fraud, pleads not-guilty

By WKTV News

Story Created: Dec 6, 2011 EST  

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - A local dentist is facing charges, accused of Medicaid fraud.

Dr. James Deyulio was doing work out of a local nursing home where the alleged fraud took place. According to the New York State Attorney General's Office, Deyulio is now charged with grand larceny.

He pleaded not-guilty to those charges in Oneida County Court on Tuesday, where the Oneida County District Attorney's Office offered him a plea deal.
Deyulio will return to Oneida County Court on January 6 to let the judge know whether he will accept or reject the plea offer.

The charges stem from work he did at a local nursing home, but authorities will not say which nursing home he was working at.

Child in braces for 9 years!–More Texas Medicaid Fraud Exposed

by BYRON HARRIS

Bio | Email

WFAA

Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:41 PM

DALLAS - When you don't have much money, and receive medical and dental care at state expense, it's rare to complain.

Texas received only 712 complaints from Medicaid patients in the last year. But sometimes the quality of care becomes so questionable, patients speak up.
The case of a Garland girl points to some weaknesses in Medicaid Orthodontics, a program that's paid out hundreds of millions of dollars to Texas dentists in the last three years.

You can actually watch Anntornett Taylor grow up through her dental records, in the still photos taken of her when she visited her orthodontist. Medicaid paid for her first set of braces when she was 12 years old. Now she is 21. She has had braces for nine years. And they are still on.

"It would be extremely unusual for a patient to be in braces for nine years," said Dr. Larry Tadlock, Associate Clinical Professor at Baylor College of Dentistry.
That fact is lost neither on Anntornett, or her mother. Her records show her treatment was to have been completed several times in the last six years - in 2006, in 2008, and 2010. But inexplicably to the Taylors, the braces have not been removed.

"Every time they told me they'd be through in a couple of months," Antornette said. "Then a couple of months come, we'll be through in a couple of months. There's always something."

Lawyer wins braces for kids — and catches flak

 

Lawyer wins braces for kids — and catches flak

A week or two vacation to Texas would have gotten these kids braces.

Heartland Dental, ReachOut America, Dental One, and others...

I notice a lot of folks visit this blog looking for information on Heartland dental; complaints, fraud and lawsuits.  Same with this rogue Reachout Healthcare America mobile dental setup.  If you've got something you would like to share, email here.  

Thor:  

Don't go nuts, this has nothing whatsoever to do with CSHM!

IS INDIVIDUAL DENTAL COVERAGE A GOOD IDEA?

By Dr. Henry Kim D.M.D.
December 4, 2011

Your friends that work for big business have dental plans. You hear them talk about it paying for so much of their dental needs: crowns to make their front teeth pretty, and braces for their kids. You are self-employed, or work for a small family-owned business. It’s only natural to want the same great deal your friends have. Then you see a poster on a telephone pole, advertising a great family dental plan. It will cost only $20 a month, but supposedly save you 30, 40 or even 50 percent on the cost of dentistry. Should you bite?

First, it is interesting to note that dental “insurance” (a misnomer if there ever was one) was not invented as a cost-efficient way to make dental care more affordable. It was an animal birthed by labor unions in the late 1950s. They correctly saw that high progressive tax rates of the era would wipe out a lot of any wage increases they negotiated. So instead, they pushed for dental insurance, which let them shield wages from taxes.So corporate dental plans were really a clumsy and inefficient idea that were not well conceived. At least 30%, and sometimes up to 50%, of dental premium dollars is eaten up by claims administration. Not a good deal at all!

Once instituted, dental insurance became a sought-after employee benefit in the non-union sector as well. It offered the same tax-shielding benefits for non-union employees. Unfortunately, no one ever examined the efficiency or wisdom of the convoluted claims administration process employed by dental “insurance” carriers.