Court Docket for Thursday March 15, 2012
AURORA, Colo. -- The operating rooms at Children's Hospital Colorado are packed with preschool kids needing dental procedures.
"We're booked five months out in the OR, and that's three days a week, two rooms a day. And it just keep increasing," said Janine Costantini, ambulatory practice director at Children’s Hospital Colorado. "The more we do the more we need."
The hospital staff is seeing more tiny mouths riddled with big dental problems.
“There were over 3,000 OR visits last year just for pediatric dentistry,” said Costantini.
7NEWS was there when a 4-year old boy went under anesthesia for treatment.
“Out of 20 baby teeth we’re treating 16,” said Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric Dentist, Mark Koch.
The pediatric dentistry team at Children's Hospital Colorado mapped out the boy's treatment including extractions, baby root canals and crowns.
“His mouth is in very bad shape. This is not unusual. This is the fourth case today, in this room,” said Pediatric dentist, Mark Koch.
The boy ended up on the operating table for treatment nine months after pediatric dentistry staff recommended treatment.
“It is a very safe and comfortable treatment, but it is very expensive. That is the problem," said Ulrich Klein, DMD, DDS, MS Chair of the Pediatric Dentistry program at Children's Hospital Colorado.
The average cost of treatment is $3,000.
Botox Training and Dermal Fillers Training for Dentists Course Outline
- Patient assessment and consultation for botox and dermal fillers
- Indications and contraindications for these techniques
- Anatomy of the head, neck, and in depth instruction in the oral and maxillofacial structures including the neurophysiology, musculature and circulatory system
- Learn the physiology, pharmacology of facial injectable treatment
- Review of sterile technique as it relates to the use of injectable pharmacologic agents
- Safety and risk issues for botulinum toxin and dermal fillers injectable therapy
- Integrating botulinum neurotoxin and dermal filler therapy into dental therapeutic and esthetic treatment plans
- Botox training for therapeutic treatment of migraines, TMJ syndrome, facial pain and bruxism cases
- Beautiful lip augmentation and how to avoid giving your patients "duck" lips
- Enhancing the cupids bow to create a beautiful lip
- Volumizing the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, mentalis region and lifting up the corners of the mouth
- Smoothing lip lines and eliminating vertical "smokers" lines
- Learn the best treatment techniques including muscle sites, muscle depths, proper preparation and dilution for the best facial esthetic outcomes
The Dental Leader no longer exists other than in cached format. But I located this discussion and going to repost it. I’m not sure when it was written, but here is the cached copy. By looking at the Wayback Machine, it was archived the first time in February 2001, and this News Letter was there at that time. So this goes back a while. I guess, sadly, no one listened to Dr. Maroon. Look where we are in 2012! Maybe too much nitrous in the operatories and folks were sleeping!
The Dental Leader Inc - Michael Maroon, DMD, FACE, FAGD - Editor & Publisher
39 Webster Square Road, Berlin, CT 06037
Email: contact@TheDentalLeader.com (no longer works)
Great Article...Great Newsletter
Mike,
I thoroughly enjoyed the June issue of your newsletter, especially "There’s Always Tomorrow." I read quite a few parallels to my own life in that article.
The rest of the newsletter also contained quite a bit of meat along with some thought-provoking, insightful articles. Keep up the good work!
Dr. Kit Weathers, Griffin, GA
The Devil Revisited
Well, I don’t quite know how to respond to all this DPMC (Dental Practice Management Company) stuff that is starting to manifest in our profession. However, I do know when I see a biased and self-serving article when I read one. Case in point, the reply of a one Mr. R. Kirk Huntsman (sounds like an attorney to me Vern) to the article written by a fellow dentist Mike Maroon.
I believe Mr. Huntsman referred to Dr. Mike’s article as a condescending diatribe (a long, violent, or blustering speech, according to Webster). This description would more appropriately fit the pen that wrote the reply. Dear R. Kirk, should I call you "R" or "Kirk", the R. Kirk just didn’t sit well with my simple Midwestern mind. Makes me feel like I gotta have sum one ta represent me. So I’ll jist call ya Kirk then. I’m sorry, I’m jist a Dennust. Ya know...sore on the hind end from rollin’ over so many times to ya’all. So Kirk, please enlighten me on your credentials that enable you to speak so intelligently about the dental profession. Are you one of us? Do you have a DDS or DMD degree? Or, are you yet another wonderful, charismatic and caring purveyor of management expertise who beckons to save us by convincing us that big brother (DPMC) is here for the good of all?
Sussex County Delaware
A Sussex County dentist has been charged with offensive touching of an 8-year-old patient who began screaming after a medical procedure, state police said today.
The incident occurred about 10 a.m. Wednesday at the office of Dr. Bruce Fisher, First State Oral Surgery, in the 33000 block of Wescoats Road near Lewes, police said.
When the child began screaming, “Dr. Fisher immediately covered the victim’s mouth with his hand and told him to ‘shut up,’” said Master Cpl. Gary Fournier.
He said a family member who was in the room during the procedure informed police Wednesday afternoon.
After police obtained a warrant, Fisher, 44, of Rehoboth, turned himself in to state police today. He was arraigned and released on $500 unsecured bail.
The boy was not injured, Fournier said.
Police asked anyone with information on this or other incidents to call investigators at (302) 856-5850, ext. 206. Anonymous tips may be texted to 274637 (CRIMES) beginning with “DSP.”
Dentist charged with offensive touching of young patient | The News Journal | delawareonline.com
Imagine this dude was arrested and charged for “improper touching” by putting his had over the child’s mouth. Imagine the jails that would need built for the dental mill dentists who do so much worse ever day.
Heads up parents! Call the police before you ever leave the clinic!
As for the dental mill dentists, look out! The next picture could be YOU!
KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF THE KIDS!!
March 9, 2012
Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website
First I want to say that I understand “good” reasons when someone opposes something. There are always two sides and views to everything. It’s the lame and idiotic excuses that gall me to no end.
Today is the 5 year anniversary of Raven Maria Blanco’s death. Raven died because a dental office was not prepared for a medical emergency. 19 children have died in the last five years from ill-prepared dentists and staff, when 6 common sense steps could have made the difference.
Comments from the public closed on February 19, 2012. Below is a sample of those who sent comments opposing the rule change.
These are copied and pasted as they were posted on the regulatory agency website. My comments are in [italics and brackets]
Those OPPOSED
Commenter: Watchdog for Coalitions Against The Dental Profession (CADP)
Be Cautious! Don't be Fooled, Don't play into the empathy game!
This Raven Blanco Foundation may be a plublicity stunt to raise funds, that support their self created non profit slary jobs. Everything about their web site is very exploitive. They list no financial discloures, no board of directors/advisors. They are certainly following the guide for creating an issue that will bring them money and influence, and as they say power. And like all these nonprofits, they appeal to ones suffering to gain support. They can be dangerous, just like all of our local dental nonprofits, run by non dentist, unlisenced advocates if you will, who want to be policy makers over dental matters of which they are trully ignorant. I would question the credibility and intentions of this group. Leave the emotional baggage out of any descision making. Dont treat victims as equals, they are not!
[ Apparently the group has problems with “unlicensed” citizens advocating for change in events that directly affect them. This is confusing to me. Who else would advocate for change? Those unaffected? Financial “disclosures” are available online and Mr. Blanco, President and his Executive Director who puts in about 50 hours a week draw ZERO dollars from the foundation! ZERO! Rather, Mr. Blanco gave a large some to the foundation! Yes, I would question the intention of this group as well, since you will be amazed at what you find. You’ll also find out what wonderful people they are and how much they help other parents whose children are killed by ill-prepared dentists who are sedating children. They assist with emotional support, and financial support. Helping families with funeral expenses or organize fundraising.They travel to every dental convention they possible can and promote safety in sedation dentistry. How can anyone be faulted for promoting safe sedation of children? The spokesperson for this group sounds as though they know the Blanco’s, are locals and have an ax to grind.]
Commenter: Dr. E. Thomas Elstner, Jr.
Training for medical emergencies
There should be provisions for practitioners who do not administer local anesthetics in their office setting. Currently there is no ACLS focusing on the dental setting.
[if this person is referring to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), then with 8 deaths in the last 12 months, maybe ACLS should be focused on the dental setting. Think?]
Commenter: Dr. Paul W. Callahan
Another costly regulation that does nothing to help public welfare
It is the responsibility of ALL Virginia Regulatory Boards to protect the public. Any death is is one too many, but statistically it is probably safer to go to the dentist that cross the street. These proposed regulations are already the Standard of Care in most offices. A regulation such as this would cost hundreds of thusands of dollars for most practicioners to follow; meaning the time spent documenting training, paying for training for a large staff when not everyone needs to be trained at the same level, etc. So who pays for all this unnecessary documentation and training? The average Virginia resident in the form of increased dental fees. Is this what we want for our patients?
[This is just a wild guess, but I doubt your patients would mind a slight increase in your fee to know you were prepared to save their life if an emergency arose.]
A Metuchen, NJ dentist was charged on Thursday, March 8, 2012 with falsifying the dental records of three children who were among five victims of a house fire on Feb. 23 in South Plainfield.
Paresh Patel, 46, of Laurie Lane, Edison, NJ was charged with falsifying or tampering with dental records and obstruction of the administration of law by providing the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office with false dental records of three of the children who died during the fire.
He also was charged with insurance fraud by submitting five or more false claims totaling more than $1,000, and was charged with five counts of health-care claim fraud.
Patel, owner of the Metuchen dental clinic Healthy Smiles Dental Associates, was charged after initial efforts to identify the youngsters determined Patel provided records that showed certain dental work had never been performed. The false records prevented and delayed positive identification of the children.
Police further determined that after falsifying dental records between April and May 2011, Patel billed Medicaid for the procedures that never were performed.
Five family members perished in the Feb. 23 blaze in South Plainfield and four other family members were injured.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan says Paresh Patel, was charged with fraud after he provided records that showed certain dental work had never been performed on the children even though he had billed Medicaid for the work.
Patel's attorney, Lawrence Y. Bitterman, says he Patel has been practicing for 20 years and plans to enter a not guilty plea during his court appearance this week.
Twice today it’s been removed from their Facebook page.
There is little doubt I am completely confused as to the so called “Dental Crisis” here is the U.S.
I am not understanding why the Pew Institute or any other “institute” wastes time and money on access to care and certainly no one is wasting their time on studying access to quality care.
For the primary teeth we are lucky enough to be born with, corporations want to “drill ‘em, fill ‘em, cap ‘em and bill ‘em. They stress the importance of early treatment of caries and developing good hygiene habits so you can keep your natural teeth for the rest of your life. Hell, the AAPD is now recommending you get your infant to the dentist at age 6 months or when the first tooth erupts, even if in-utero I suppose.
Why?
The clinics down the street, such as Aspen, Affordable Dentures and the like, what to pull every last tooth in your head and slap in some cheap ass dentures.
What’s the whole point?
It’s not about proper medical treatment, it’s about Sales!
See – The below is from Aspen Dental.
As you can see about, it’s about the “prize”, it’s about highest possible sale comes first, it’s about “hey, office manager, even if the patient says they are not interested in the “treatment” plan, get the doctor or hygienist first so they can “re-stress” the sale, it’s not about medical care.
Below you’ll see a note. These notes are attached to each file reviewed (audited)by regional operations managers at Aspen clinics. Read this carefully, Aspen was NOT concerned about the medical care the patient needed, only the commitment to a sale.
Ocean Dental, headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma is not receiving very good reviews. In fact the Better Business Bureau is giving it a D-.
Over on Topix there was a thread started in 2009 when a parent complained and told what happened to her child at an Ocean Dental in Arkansas. Here
No wonder so few parents speak up about the terrible experiences that happen to their children at these dental mills. This was was literally attacked! One person even said, that if they were bad, they wouldn’t be in business.
Lord, it must be nice to live in land of Oz.! Last I checked the “waterboarding” dentist, Megann Scott worked at one of their OK clinics.
The song was produced in honor of Raven Maria Blanco who died because of an ill-prepared dentist and staff sedating children in his office – Dr. Michael Hechtkopf.
The five year anniversary of Raven's death is Friday, March 9th 2012. The video has received nearly 400,000 hits in the last few days. You can purchase the song on itunes. Proceeds go to purchase AED's-Automatic External Defibrillators which are donated to dental offices across the county. Put there to save a child! Please consider purchasing Raven's Song.
This week major news outlets have all but promoted sedation dentistry for children. Not a word was mentioned about the 19 deaths of children due to sedation complications that has taken place since Raven’s death 5 years ago.
“Hygiene at DentalCare Partners (DCP) has experienced a huge paradigm shift in recent years, from the hygienists being“prophy queens” to “periodontal therapists.”Doug Brown, CEO, hired a consulting group in 2004 that worked with DCP-affiliated dentists to develop the first periodontal protocol. Brown knew that the investment to provide training and development to all hygienists throughout DCP, as well as comprehensive care to doctors and auxiliary staff, would pay off. This company wide initiative occurred from 2004 to 2005 and was worth every penny in not only monetary rewards but by fostering patient stability and improving quality of care. n 2005, Brown created the Regional Clinical Consultant position at DCP.
Rise in Preschool Cavities Prompts Anesthesia Use - NYTimes.com – Pure bullshit!
This is RIDICULOUS!
Front page?
Imagine, the story comes out of Seattle! DOCS Education’s home town!
The story quotes:
"Dr. Megann Smiley, a dentist-anesthesiologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio" SURPRISE! - Home of one of Small Smiles advisory board members and former/current office of the corrupt AAPD -Paul Cassamassmino .
The NYT is playing with the lives of children, shameful!!
Another great quote:
“We have had a huge increase in kids going to the operating room,” said Dr. Jonathan Shenkin, a pediatric dentist in Augusta, Me., and a spokesman for the American Dental Association. “We’re treating more kids more aggressively earlier.”
No shit, Sherlock! That’s why Texas is going broke, from the over aggressive fraud being committed! At least you admitted it, Dr. Shenkin!
You gotta love the last line:
"Multiple studies have shown that even children who undergo general anesthesia to treat dental decay end up with cavities again. Janine Costantini, the ambulatory practice director at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said the staff treated a 3-year-old who was making his second visit to the operating room for dental work. The boy arrived with a bottle of Coca-Cola. "
Yes, the exact same hospital where Randall Ellis of Small Smiles fame resides, as well as where Small Smiles Founder, William Mueller was head of the department! Oh and let's not forget, that Coca Cola he probably got it at pre-school... After all it was Small Smiles other founder, Dan DeRose who made that happen for the kiddies.
It’s a shame the powers that be don’t pay attention to these Pew studies. They are 3 years old or more before they release them! Half the report quoted stuff from 2007! It’s 2012 people!!!
Funny the title is “The Cost of Delay” since the data in it is so friggin “delayed” !!
Me.. FURIOUS!! Not good!
Not good at all!
Last updated: February 27, 2012 8:31 am
Bahrain’s Arcapita faces debt challenge
Bahrain-based private equity investor Arcapita Bank is facing a potentially painful debt workout as it mandates advisers ahead of the March deadline for the Manama-based group to repay $1.1bn of loans.
Privately-held Arcapita, which declined to comment, owns a broad portfolio of companies in the US and Europe, including UK rail cargo company Freightliner, Irish utilities group Viridian and US women’s apparel retailer J Jill.
Anyone know what this is about:
Case No: United States of America Cr-02-00349CAS
Case No YCO30202: Galdi vs. Megdal
Mimi Villegas Galdi
vs.
Bright Dental Now! Phillip Megdal,
Jordan Moss,
Katrina Mejia-Blom,
Dale Blom
City of Redondo Beach
State of California
United States of America.
Read the story here
More on it here.
It appears this Dr. Philip Megdal was the same dentist accused of negligence in the death of 4 year old Javier Villa, Jr. in 1998
Consumer Dental bought the Megdal clinics after Javier’s death
WAKEFIELD, Mass., Jan. 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Dental Partners, Inc. ("American Dental Partners" or the "Company") today announced that it has launched the syndication of $241 million of senior secured facilities ("Senior Secured Facilities"), consisting of a $36 million revolving facility and a $205 million term loan. The proceeds from the Senior Secured Facilities, together with equity from JLL Partners Fund VI, L.P. and certain other investors, are being used to finance the acquisition of American Dental Partners and to pay certain fees and expenses.
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 18 January 2012 15:16
Trader Huddle
KeyBank National Association ("KeyBank"), CIT Capital Securities ("CITCS") and NXT Capital, LLC ("NXT") will act as joint bookrunning managers of the debt financing.
This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase any securities or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities.
WAKEFIELD, Mass., Feb. 7, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Dental Partners, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADPI) announced that at a special meeting of stockholders held earlier today stockholders voted to adopt the previously announced merger agreement with JLL Crown Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and JLL Crown Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, affiliates of JLL Partners, Inc. Under the terms of the merger agreement, upon consummation of the merger, holders of outstanding shares of common stock of American Dental Partners will receive $19.00 per share in cash.
At the meeting, the merger was approved by holders of 12,496,939 shares of the Company's outstanding common stock, and 3,702 shares voted against the merger.
Over 25 children participated in the "Inspire a Nation, Save a Child" project. The track, Guardian Angel "Raven's Song", written by Michael "Magnedo7" Crawford and his wife Shameia Crawford in memory of little Raven Maria Blanco, is dedicated to all of the world's lost little angels.
It is now available to purchase on several music outlets including iTunes: Guardian Angel -- "Raven's Song" This version of the song and the Video were produced by Alisha "M'jestie" Brooks and was Directed by Visually Inklined. Purchase this song on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/guardian-angel-ravens-song/id497280283?i=497...
Raven died in 2007 due to complications from a medical emergency during a routine dental visit. 19 Children have died since 2007. Please help us spread awareness, so another family does not have to go through what ours did... http://www.rmbfinc.org
Just saying…
Big Changes in Medicaid Dental Coverage Could Mean Increased Wait Time 3/1/12
Shelley Childers
CBS 7 News
schilders@cbs7.com
March 1, 2012
ODESSA, TX - Big changes to the Medicaid dental program may mean some children in West Texas have to wait even longer to get treatment.
It's a change that came with very little warning or information from the Medicaid program.
Now it has pediatric dentists across the state scrambling to help their patients maintain their appointments.
"It was a very bad day for pediatric dentists across the state because we do serve the Medicaid population and a lot of patients went without being seen today," said Dr. Joel Edwards, the only pediatric dentist in Odessa who serves Medicaid patients.
He says Medicaid patients went without being seen because of big changes to their insurance coverage that all took effect Thursday.
For years Medicaid dental insurance was a state run program, but now it's being handed over to three different insurance companies Delta Dental, DentaQuest and MCNA Dental.
U.S. Senator puts spotlight on country's oral health crisis
By Mary Otto, DrBicuspid.com contributing writer
March 1, 2012 -- The witnesses called to testify before a U.S. Senate subcommittee February 29 brought stories of unmet dental needs across the country.
And Vermont Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT), who called the hearing, said he had stories of his own -- some 1,200 of them, gathered from his constituents and other Americans. They were personal accounts, Sanders said, of the struggles that poor, elderly, and working Americans face trying to find and pay for dental care.
"We are in the midst of a dental crisis in America," said Sanders, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging and released a report to coincide with the hearing. "More than 47 million people live in places where it is difficult to get dental care. We don't have enough providers to serve all of those in need."
The hearing was called to explore the problems with the high cost of care and the lack of access to it, Sanders noted. The witnesses included oral health experts with sobering statistics and providers who said they had found innovative ways of reaching poor and underserved people within their communities.
“We are in the midst of a dental crisis in America.”
— Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
The lack of access comes at a high cost, not just in human suffering but in tens of millions of misspent state health care dollars, said Shelley Gehshan, director of the Pew Children's Dental Campaign. She cited a Pew study released this week that estimated that preventable dental conditions were the primary diagnosis in more than 830,000 emergency room visits in 2009, a 16% increase over 2006.
http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/Article.cfm?customel_dataPageID_1502=39308
For Immediate Release
March 1, 2012
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa has asked each state for information to help determine whether the states and the federal government are conducting enough oversight of their rate-setting for Medicaid managed care plans.
“In light of the billions of dollars already spent on Medicaid, including managed care, and the planned expansion of Medicaid, it’s important to look at whether states are setting their managed care payment rates appropriately and in keeping with federal law,” Grassley said. “If the payment rates are out of whack, and scrutiny is lacking, Medicaid money could be ill-spent to the detriment of vulnerable beneficiaries and the taxpayers.
The unsecured creditors meeting in the bankruptcy of Church Street Health Management had their first meeting today. The committee appointed Jim Moriarty of Moriarty-Leyendecker law firm in Houson, Texas as thier Chairman.
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz, law firm in Nashville, Tennessee was chosen to be the counsel for the committee.
See the Appointment and Notice of Appointment Committee here
Senior Mobile Dental
Seniormobiledental.com and .org– website true owner hidden
Contact Privacy Inc. Customer 0117132607, seniormobiledental.com@contactprivacy.com
96 Mowat Ave
Toronto, ON M6K 3M1
CA +1.4165385457
Website says found is – Patricia Michelle Noblet – Vacha
Senior Mobile Dental – Colorado Secretary of State:
20071451146 – Filed 9-16-2009 True name - Dental Hygiene Professionals. Michelle P. Vacha 2604 Flintridge Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80918
2010163317 – Filed 10-12-2010 True name – Licensed Dental Hygiene Care. P. Michelle Vacha 2604 Flintridge Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Licensed Dental Hygiene Care dba -Senior Mobile Dental. Logo registration in Colorado – Senior Mobile Dental with a toothbrush and swirl of toothpaste. Patricia Vacha 2604 Flintridge Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80918.
Licensed Dental Hygiene Care – Patricia Michelle Vacha and Michael David Vacha. Date of Non-Profit incorporation 7-27-2006.
Executive Director – Patricia Michelle Vacha, RDS
President – Dr. Sandra Swing, DDS 5410 Powers Center Point,Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Vice President – Nicole Spurgeon CDS 3860 Half Turn Road, Colorado Springs, CO. 80917
Secretary – Grace Wolf Trujillo E.D.D.A 6465 McNichols Ct., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Treasurer – Tammi Moore, Accountant 8235 Chochise Rd. Colorado Springs, CO. 80908
Member - Dr. Kenneth Pollary, DDS 5815 Mesa Mtn. Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80923
Member - Sherri Thompson, RN 2955 Leoti Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80922
WFAA
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Updated yesterday at 10:49 PM
NEWS 8 INVESTIGATES
Thousands of kids get free dental care under Medicaid in Texas. Texas taxpayers foot the bill, including putting crowns on the teeth of toddlers who don't yet have their permanent teeth.
A News 8 investigation finds that some dentists want that Medicaid business so badly, they hire recruiters to bring in patients.
At a Texas Health and Human Services Office on Masters Road near Dallas, a man quietly stands in the parking lot, waiting for mothers who've just received food stamps to emerge from the waiting room.
He is a recruiter. He's handing out cards for Happy Teeth Dental, just two doors down in the same complex.
At another HHS office across town, two women also wait for new food stamp recipients. They're handing out cards for Lancaster Dental a few miles away.
And at another HHS office just up the road, Bear Creek Family Dentistry has a small kiosk set up to recruit new patients.
If you have a Kool Smiles near you, I’d very much appreciate if you would stop by and take a picture of their front door and send it to me.
Thanks!
By Darrell Smith
dvsmith@sacbee.com The Sacramento Bee
By Darrell Smith
Published: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 - 12:00 am
Last Modified: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 - 11:20 amA Sacramento dentist has been suspended by the Dental Board of California on allegations of performing unneeded root canals and fillings on the healthy teeth of at least 17 of his patients and collecting insurance payments for work he did not do.
David Milton Lewis was barred by the state board from performing dentistry until the case against him is resolved, officials said.
In addition to causing damage to patients' healthy teeth, the board alleged Lewis submitted numerous bogus insurance claims and offered cash rewards to United Parcel Service employees for referrals.
According to allegations filed by the dental board, Lewis targeted UPS employees because Delta Health Systems, the firm's dental insurer, covered 100 percent of dental treatments with no maximum payment or co- payment.
According to board filings, insurance investigators believe Lewis began performing the unnecessary work as the recession worsened in 2008, with claims soaring from an average of $154,000 a year before 2009 to about $870,000 per year afterward.
A hearing is pending against Lewis, who has a practice at 4350 Marconi Ave.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/29/4299094/board-accuses-sacramento-dentist.html#storylink=cpy
Parents Complain About Kool Smiles
By KGNS News
Story Created: Feb 28, 2012 at 10:12 PM CST
Story Updated: Feb 29, 2012
A dental office with a local branch could be in a lot of trouble.
Parents complained about what they call ‘unprofessional treatment’ their children received at Kool Smiles.
They described their kids having their hands covered with socks and tied up while a dental procedure was being done.
[I suppose this is somehow deemed better than Dr. Steven Adair’s Superman Cape idea!]
Some even complained of having procedures done without the proper sedatives.
[I’ve been told over the years, when giving nitrous, they only turn on the oxygen to give the appearance of giving nitrous to parents, bill for nitrous but save on nitrous. I’d like an audit of amount of Nitrous billed and the amount of Nitrous purchased at each clinic!]
Now a San Antonio law firm says all Kool Smiles locations in south Texas are being investigated.
By BOBBY CERVANTES amarillo.com Copyright 2012 Amarillo Globe-News. All rights reserved.
February 29, 2012 - 12:18am
Feds link orthodontist to Medicaid fraud scheme
bobby.cervantes@amarillo.com
Patients and former employees likened the Amarillo Medicaid fraud scheme to “herding cattle.”
Amarillo orthodontist Dr. Michael Goodwin scheduled up to 400 Medicaid patients a day and frequently billed the government for work he never performed, according to court records.
In late May and early July, authorities seized $244,235.67 from five JP Morgan Chase commercial and personal bank accounts associated with Goodwin, his wife and his business.
Goodwin billed the government a total of $1.67 million in fraudulent claims from April 2008 to April 2011, according to a federal forfeiture complaint the government filed Monday seeking to keep the seized money.
Goodwin, who also has an office in Indiana, has not been charged with a crime. His Amarillo office at 3629 Wolfin Ave. was closed Tuesday and messages were not immediately returned.
Goodwin and his wife, Patricia, did not file a claim to the seized money, according to the complaint.
WILMINGTON -- Prominent Wilmington dentist Marieve O. Rodriguez admitted to 10 misdemeanor counts of filing false Medicaid reports on Monday in exchange for state prosecutors dropping 19 felony counts of health care fraud.
Rodriguez will also pay a $100,000 fine, repay $72,000 to the state's Medicaid program and $50,000 to cover the costs of prosecution.
The case against the operator of Gentle Care Family Dentistry on Gilpin Avenue in the city had been scheduled to go to trial this week.
Shortly after the charges were filed against her in August 2010, Rodriguez was allowed to keep operating her practice, though her ability to prescribe medications was suspended by state regulators. Under the terms of the plea deal, Rodriguez will now have to close the practice and will lose her license for at least a year.
EDGEWOOD PA (KDKA) — The KDKA Investigators have uncovered charges against a local dentist.
Police arrested 52-year-old Dr. Anthony Monteleone on Wednesday in the back parking lot of his office.
They say he was caught snorting lines of suspected cocaine and then going inside Katsur Dental and Orthodontics in Edgewood to treat his patients.
Undercover agents grabbed Monteleone after they witnessed him using what appeared to be cocaine.
“There was a police officer observing what appeared to be drug use,” Edgewood Police Chief Robert Payne said. “It was outside the car.”
Chief Payne, who made the arrest, asked Dr. Monteleone if he had a problem. The doctor, according to the criminal complaint, admitted to using marijuana, Xanax and cocaine.
“He admitted using various drugs over a period of time,” Monteleone said.
Edgewood police acted immediately on a complaint filed Wednesday morning by a witness who alleged Dr. Monteleone was using cocaine and then going back to work on patients.
“We need to protect those people that are certainly patients coming over and expecting to get service from someone who isn’t impaired,” Payne said.
Police found Xanax and a small amount of Marijuana in Dr. Monteleone’s car.
“People are going to doctors and dentists and expecting to have someone work on them that isn’t under the influence of drugs or impaired in any fashion,” Payne said.
Monteleone is charged with possession of a controlled substance and disorderly conduct. KDKA Investigator Marty Griffin reports a check of Monteleone’s criminal history revealed prior drug charges, tax evasion charges and conspiracy charges.
http://whois.domaintools.com/complaintkoolsmiles.org
Looks like Kool Smiles is preparing for war. Note NCDR,LLC owns approximately 225 other domains!
C’mom…that’s funny!
Funniest part is the contract email address:
Not so, “private registration”…
Dentist arrested after brawl with 80 year old woman!
msnbc video: Dentist charged with fighting elderly patient
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Dental Dreams has opened 3 clinic in SC under the name Family Dental. I suppose they are poised and ready to take former Small Smiles employees and patients, especially since it is right across the street.
Fraud is a renewable resource, I'm reminded. Family Dental is in Greenville, Rock Hill and Columbia. All are staffed with foreign dentist as the other mills. These folks have to go to work somewhere or go back to the mother land. Sad they have gotten into such a pickle.
Family Dental Locations;
6134 White Horse Rd / Greenville
2022 Cherry Rd, / Rock Hill
2941 Two Notch Rd/ Columbia (just across the road from Small Smiles Dental Center)
So who is Martin McGahan, Church Street Health Management’s Chief Restructuring Officer? Well he’s a director with Alvarez and Marsal – Private Equity Services and more.
Here is Mr. McGahan’s bio from their webstie.
Martin McGahan
Managing Director
Martin McGahan is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal Healthcare Industry Group in Atlanta. He brings more than 15 years of healthcare operations and finance experience to the firm.
Mr. McGahan works with healthcare organizations to drive operational and financial performance improvement. In addition, his expertise in corporate finance, restructuring and the raising of capital-including public, private sources of both debt and equity-enables his clients to strategically re-engineer their balance sheets for long-term stability and growth.
Mr. McGahan is presently advising several companies in both the healthcare services and pharmaceutical / bio-technology industries. He is currently serving as Restructuring Advisor to a major provider of Assisted Living Facilities and Senior Housing. He is also advising a Clinical Research Organization on operational restructuring and capitalization alternatives.
Church Street Health Management
The embattled operator of roughly 70 Small Smiles dental centers in 22 states filed for bankruptcy in Nashville on February 20, listing assets of $895.3 million against liabilities of $303.4 million, according to Bloomberg.
Several years ago, an ABC News investigation accused Small Smiles of mistreating children, something the company vehemently denied. But Small Smiles did reach an agreement with the Justice Department in 2009 to pay $24 million over five years to settle charges that it had billed Medicaid for unnecessary dental procedures performed on low-income children, according to the Nashville Business Journal.
Bankruptcy court filings by Nashville-based Church Street Health Management, the parent company for Small Smiles, show that Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis chair John Tishler ($550 per hour), corporate partner Don Moody ($450), and restructuring partner Kathleen Stenberg ($370) are representing the company in its Chapter 11 case.
Waller Lansden partners are billing between $290 and $600 per hour, of counsel between $150 and $650, and associates between $190 and $335, according to court records, which note that the firm has represented Church Street since 2006 and is thus familiar with the company's operations.
On page 4 of Affidavit of Martin McGahan he starts in about the Sharia Law practices of the Bahrainian billionaire banker and it basically says, we had to set up dummy corporations to operate these dental clinics and dummy corporations to run the money through because of religious beliefs! OMG!
It’s also interesting I might add, that the very law firm who advised that this scam was completely legit is representing them in the bankruptcy. Wonder whose interest has their top priority. Just saying…
This basically comes down to:
A bunch of us shady people got together, found a couple of bankers, the Caryle Group and a Bahrainian billionaire, gave the DeRose family $435 million to get out of the sandbox and let them in for a while. They tortured hundreds of thousands of children, raided our Medicaid system, and ran up huge bills at various supply companies and law firms. They got caught,and fined and monitored. That cut down on the “take” from Medicaid. Seeing declining profits they scrapped out as much cash as possible thru compensation and leaving creditors hanging, the taxpayer raped and are telling a court in Tennessee that it was their religious beliefs that cause this to happen. PLUS, they want to buy their own company back through more dummy corporations, but not pay their creditors, continue raping the taxpayer and torturing children saying it’s in the best interest of the the children to let them continue raiding the Medicaid coffers.
I about flipped out when Martin tried to say the business plan was good! He more or less blamed it on owning the $24 million in settlement with the US Government. Not sure how he figured that since they’ve only paid back $9M in the last two plus years!!!
WTF!
Comment: MDavis
Again, I'm back to what's really demonstrated in the McGahan Affidavit.
Seemingly, there's a united front of the true owners of CSHM, The Carlyle Group, Arcapita Bank, & American Capital, masking themselves as First Lien Creditors. This powerful Troika shouldn't hold together, because of very diverse interests.
Firstly, Arcapita Bank's Annual Report goes on for page after page, about their corporate ethics & compliance w/ strict Shari'ah Code. Well, since they can't lend money as a creditor & collect interest, they are an OWNER. They bought equity in CSHM. They will be a prime target of Creditors. But, who got Arcapita Bank into this scheme?
Examining the types of businesses Arcapita Bank invests in, those involved w/ swindles of government money aren't too much there. Ahhh... but let's look at The Carlyle Group. Yes, the very same Carlyle Group w/ heroic founder David Rubenstein, who gives so generously. Yes, the same Carlyle Group which "assisted" the government of Abu Dhabi buy into their investments w/ Mubadala Development Company, which one might assume to be Compliant w/ Shari'ah Code. LOL!
The Carlyle Group seeingly loves government money. Yes, Medicaid money from CSHM (d/b/a Small Smiles). Medicare money from HCR Manor Care and Heartland Nursing Homes. And even, state pension money from the NY State Common Retirement System. Unfortunately, these issues all surround alleged fraud & abuse of government Taxpayer money. They also surround multiple civil malpractice actions. Well, at least persons w/in The Carlyle Group are well-connected in Washington circles, to run political & legal cover. This fact alone must have appealed to American Capital & Arcapita Bank.
So, in the most recent Annual Report of American Capital, they reported an elevated equity share in CSHM. Who motivated American Capital to assume this additional risk, w/ a company (CSHM), which had Compliance problems w/ the USIG's Office, and a laundry list of legal problems. Gee, do I again smell The Carlyle Group?
Investors in CSHM got hoodwinked, by other Investors. So no, I doubt this Troika will hold. Besides, certain Parties like Todd Cruse and Dan DeRose have a history of talking to the Feds, as evidenced in the John Ford (Mister 15%- because of his skim of government projects in TN) Federal Case.
So, who is gonna talk to the Feds first, and talk about what, in exchange for what?
Michael W Davis, DDS
Dentists who supposedly own the 67 Small Smiles dental centers that Church Street Health Management says they personally don’t own, could just start selling off your assets, right?.
In the Church Street Health Management-Small Smiles Dental Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filings Martin McGahan, in a sworn Affidavit, stated:
“The dental centers are owned by licensed dentist” (p.2)
He further states CSHM simply:
“…provide “dental practice management services” to 67 dental centers serving low income and underprivileged families in 22 states…”(p1) and have, ..“As of the Petition Date, the Debtors, through EEHC, Inc. (“EEHC”) had
approximately 72 full-time, 2 part-time, and 2 “as needed” employees (collectively, the “Employees”).” (p.3)
I suppose you owners could find another company to do your payroll and other bookkeeping, since Church Street Health Management is a bit pricey:
Not a good week for interstate corporate Medicaid dental mills is it?
Kool Smiles facing claims of alleged mistreatment, excessive... | www.kfoxtv.com
I’m thinking this list is the very very short list and will grow!!
Church Street Health Management Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
List of Potential Parties In Interest
[Doc-19-3]
ACAS Equity Holdings Corp.
Adventure 3 Properties, LP
Advocate Networks, LLC
AlA Limited
Al Smith
Morgan Joseph TriArtisan LLC has been hired by Church Street Health Management to oversee the sale of assets it claims to not own-referred to herein as “mystery assets”- remember, CSHM has always maintained it is simply a management company hired by independently owned Small Smiles dental centers to “manage” the day to day operations. LIE LIE LIE
In the Affidavit of Martin McGahan, he lied like a dog on page 2. The dental centers are NOT owned by individual dentists and CSHM has admitted as much.
CSHM will pay Morgan Joseph-referred to as “Investment Banker”-$75,000 a month, plus expenses, to provide financial advice, assist in capital raising, and/or the sale, of CSHM’s “mystery assets”. This should be fun to watch!
I’m thinking that is far from a fair fee; David Copperfield demands much more to perform magic tricks.
I believe the last company to assisted in the sale of this illegal operation (the DeRose’s sale to Arcaptia and the Nashville crooks) failed to do their due diligence.
Here is an excerpt from the Retention Agreement between CSHM and Morgan Joseph- (link to the full agreement at the end)
[FYI-employees weren’t told until this morning. But told there was nothing to worry about, money would be coming soon. LMAO! ]
Some of the highlights of the Top 20 Creditors are:
Creditor | Amount Owed |
US Govt toward $24 settlement | $10,714,233.36 |
Michael G. Lindley | $859,955.27 |
Alfred J. Smith | $674,545.81 |
Henry Schein, Inc | $568,478.11 |
Shary Retail, Inc, | $542,125.00 |
Seeway Asst Mngt | $326,162.00 |
Shearman and Sterling, LLP | $310,700.20 |
So, has this captured the attention of the other Interstate children Medicaid dental mills? You bet! Visitors to this site today come from several other corporate mills, including Ocean Dental out of Stillwater, OK.
Comment MDavis:
Yes, the Affidavit of Martin McGahan is particularly troubling in its veracity, or lack there of.
"In many cases, SSHC or CSHM has guaranteed the dental centers’ performance under those leases or assumed obligations under existing guarantees." That is the action of an OWNER, not a distanced management service organization (MSO).
On page 2, "The dental centers are owned by licensed dentists." Sorry, that simply doesn't pass the smell test either. These bogus figurehead dentists were paid an addition sum, to pose as "Owners" for State Regulatory Boards. We also realize from Case Law in Orthodontic Centers of America, Inc No. 07-30430 (Fifth Circuit (Texas) 12-30-2008) that the Court found these typical management services (from MSOs) constituted the practice of dentistry.
On page 3, "The Debtors do not own any real property." Even if the real estate is leased, the dental equipment has a tangible value, and dental equipment doesn't come cheap. This dental equipment is no longer owned by the former owner "Old FORBA" (the DeRose, et.al. group). The bogus "Lead Dentists" don't own it. It's an asset of value to Creditors.
On page 4, there is mention of Shari'ah Law. This was to conform w/ the investment of Arcapita Bank. Well guess what? Under Shari'ah Codes one can't make loans, and generate profits though interest payments. An investment banking firm, i.e. Arcapita Bank, may buy into a business, then later sell off the business, hopefully generating a profit. This makes the Party buying in, a Partner in the business. They share risks, liabilities, & potential profits. So, we're now talking about potential fiscal liabilities of Partner, Arcapita Bank, and not simply CSHM.
Page 4 & 5 get more into the "dance" of compliance w/ Shari'ah Codes. Ever read the Annual Report of Arcapita Bank, & the pages directed to their strict compliance w/ Shari'ah Codes? It certainly looks like they go to lengths, to avoid issues which they seemingly hold highly ethical. Does it break w/ Shari'ah Code to be involved in business, which harms small children & defrauds the taxpayer? Heck, just read the Release of the US Justice Department, w/ the $24 Mil Settlement.
Page 7 gets into who they want to establish as First Lien. In other words, CSHM goes bankrupt, and the real owners, the investment bankers of Arcapita Bank, The Carlyle Group, and American Capital are first in line to collect. That doesn't pass the smell test either. Do you believe a Bankruptcy Court would buy into that? Representatives of these Investment Companies openly sat & served on the Board of CSHM. They were involved in business decision making, or were positioned to do so, even if they attempt to pass the responsibility.
Page 10 "The Company is party to a Management Services Agreement (“MSA”) with each dental center for which the Company provides management services (collectively the“Dental Centers”). Pursuant to each MSA, the Company provides the Dental Centers with management services such as billing and collection, bookkeeping, accounting and tax services,dentist and staff recruitment, payroll services, human resources, information technology support,equipment and supplies procurement, leasing, repairs and capital improvements, and assistance with compliance, legal issues, governmental affairs, and licensing and permitting. In exchange for providing these services to the Dental Centers, the Company receives a management fee from which it funds its operations." This is all the activity of Practice of Dentistry, and OWNER of a Dental Practice. “Dental Centers”). Pursuant to each MSA, the Company provides the Dental Centers with management services such as billing and collection, bookkeeping, accounting and tax services, dentist and staff recruitment, payroll services, human resources, information technology support,equipment and supplies procurement, leasing, repairs and capital improvements, and assistance with compliance, legal issues, governmental affairs, and licensing and permitting. In exchange f r providing these services to the Dental Centers, the Company receives a management fee from which it funds its operations." This is all the activity of Practice of Dentistry, and OWNER of a Dental Practice. They spell it out, in attempt to circumvent reality.
More later.
The attorneys will have fun over this nonsense.
Michael W Davis, DDS
Comment Debbie:
Just think, there is 35 more pages of this BS for this document. Ole Martin failed to mention, at least so far as I’ve gotten through this, that it’s management services are in exchange for 100% of the profits, and we give the owners of the clinics a flat fee of $1250 for each clinic! It’s that just a upside down and backassward way of saying, we own and operate dental centers and the dentists are our employees! Guess, the word management has taken on an all new meaning…. No, I just mange that car in the driveway for the bank. Yep, that works for me if any liability issues were to come up. LOL
Comment: MDavis
If I were a Creditor, I'd also do serious background check into real estate assets, especially the early clinics established in CO, NM, & AZ, by the DeRoses. I would not assume, at face value, all the real estate is leased. It may be leased through yet another dummy corporation, of The Carlyle Group, Arcapita Bank, & American Capital.
Yes, this takes the effort of going to County Records & Deeds. Anyone familiar w/ this blog will soon recognize certain names & titles, to have an eye open for.
In my time, I've met certain Judges, who've presided over Federal Bankruptcy Court. IMHO- they won't broker liars or BS. And, they've seen every scheme in the book. They've got a HUGE case workload, and have no time for manipulators & cheats.
The Martin McGahan Affidavit is a HUGE risk, by The Carlyle Group, Arcapita Group, & American Capital. If right from the get-go, these parties appear the schemers, which they are, the Judge is likely to get POed. And believe me, one doesn't want to be on the wrong side of a POed Federal Judge.
Michael W Davis, DDS
First off, it doesn’t look to me that all these children need free screenings. Second, it’s not free… nothing is. Rest assured the taxpayer is picking up this dime, which is all well and good, IF… and that is a HUGE if… It’s needed. Looks to me like at least one of these children were regular patients. Just saying..
SAN ANTONIO -
A trip to the dentist is a visit that's often dreaded by children and their parents.
For children, a dental checkup can be a pain in the mouth. For parents, it can be a pain in the pocketbook.
"It's expensive," said Hilda Calderon, mother of 7-year-old Crystal Calderon.
Calderon got a break on Monday morning when Texas Smiles Dental Center offered free dental screenings in recognition of National Children's Dental Health Month.
They called it "Healthy Smile, Happy Child Day".