The practice undermines the integrity of
dentists everywhere.
An oral
surgeon and dentist previously affiliated with practices in four New Jersey
counties has been found guilty of
“hit and run dentistry” and fined a massive amount.
The
dentist was needlessly pulling teeth, using faulty implants and discussing
treatments with patients who were under the influence of anesthesia, according
to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. He now has to pay more than
$517,000 in fines and restitution for “gross negligence and professional
misconduct” in treating elderly, disabled, and low-income patients.
A medical malpractice
monstrosity
Though
most dental practitioners make their patients’ health and safety a top
priority, “revolving-door dentistry that puts practitioners’ financial gain
ahead of patient health and safety erodes public trust and undermines the
integrity of the entire profession,” Grewal said in a statement.
That’s
exactly what this dentist was participating in. According to NJ.com,
an investigation showed that he would pull teeth and replace them with dental
implants without checking if the natural tooth could be salvaged. Grewal
solidified this, saying that some of the implants were lost and swallowed by
patients or — yikes — migrated into the sinus.
The
Attorney General also said this dentist would ignore or fail to take patients’
medical histories and “discuss treatment with patients who were already in the
chair receiving anesthesia.”
Violating basic tenets
of professionalism
In
addition to putting patients’ health at risk, he also financially violated
them. The dentist would perform procedures without regard to the patient’s
ability to pay while pressuring Medicaid patients into taking loans that they
couldn’t afford.
“His
disregard for the well-being of his patients makes a mockery of the standards
adhered to by those who are privileged to hold a license to practice
dentistry,” Paul R. Rodríguez, acting director of the Division of Consumer
Affairs told NJ.com. “The revocation of his license … removes a stain on New
Jersey’s esteemed dental profession.”
Warning signs
If your
dentist tries to perform a procedure without explaining exactly what he or she
is doing, or implies it must be done immediately, without giving you time to consider
your options, you may want to get a second opinion.
You
also know your own dental history. If you’ve generally had uneventful check-ups
and suddenly find out lots of different things need immediate treatment, that
could be a red flag.
But
most dentists are not out to scam you. They’re good people — and don’t want any
part of a $517,000 fine.
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