dentapress: news of dentistry » Justice

Online campaign aims to crack down on growing threat of illegal ‘dentists’ practising across the UK

CB — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:25:33 +0000

A NEW drive has been launched to crack down on the problem of illegal dentistry in the UK.Experts believe illegal practice is widespread as patients learn about unregistered dental technicians by word of mouth.Clinical dental technicians are trained and registered to provide patients direct treatment for the construction, repairing and fitting of removable dental appliances, such as dentures.Unless a clinical dental technician is registered with the General Dental Council, they are not allowed to provide dentures directly to the public…

Prison for man who refused son dentist

CB — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:15:20 +0000

A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to up to two years in prison for failing to take his son to the dentist when he tried to pull his rotting teeth.Francisco Torres, 41, pleaded guilty in October to recklessly endangering another person for refusing to take his 14-year-old son to the dentist even though he complained of tooth pain for weeks…

Pa. man gets 1 to 2 years after son pulled teeth

JG — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:59:11 +0000

An eastern Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to one to two years in prison after his teenage son tried to pull out his own teeth because he hadn’t been taken to a dentist. Northampton County Judge Michael Koury Jr. said Friday that he only wished he could sentence 41-year-old Francisco Torres to more prison time. The judge said “Neglecting one’s child is the ultimate betrayal.” Torres pleaded guilty in October to recklessly endangering another person. He apologized in court. Police say the boy tried to pull out his teeth after complaining of pain for several months but broke two teeth and needed emergency surgery.

Jail for Former Dentist Who Pleaded Guilty to Using Paper Clips in Root Canals

JG — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:37:35 +0000

According to a news release from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office, a former Massachusetts dentist who pleaded guilty last week to charges of Medicaid fraud for using paper clips in place of stainless steel posts during patients’ root canals was sentenced to jail Monday.

New drive to stamp out illegal dentistry

JG — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:20:28 +0000

A campaign has been launched to crack down on the growing scourge of illegal dentistry across the UK. The British Association of Clinical Dental Technology (BACDT) has created a website – www.dentureprofessionals.org – which allows consumers to find a clinical dental technician who is registered with the General Dental Council. Unless a CDT is registered with the GDC, they are not permitted to provide dentures directly to the public.

‘Paper clip’ dentist guilty of fraud

CB — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:14:38 +0000

A former dentist from Massachusetts now living in Crofton was convicted last week of Medicaid fraud for using paper clips instead of stainless steel posts in root canals.Michael Clair, 53, of Windy Oak Court, will be sentenced Monday in a Massachusetts court…

Private dentists ‘putting patients at risk’

JG — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:12:09 +0000

Private dentists have been accused in Parliament of putting patients at risk with unnecessary operations. Labour MP for Rhondda Chris Bryant said many private providers were encouraging patients to have procedures they ‘certainly do not need’ and urged government to include dentists in any investigations into private sector cosmetic surgery.

Center City dentist charged in $5 million insurance fraud

CB — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:15:33 +0000

A Center City dentist and his daughter have been charged with billing insurance companies for almost $5 million in fraudulent medical bills through the pain management clinic they operate together. Owen Rogal, 71, who has been living and working in Center City for decades, runs the Pain Center at 12th and Lombard Streets. His 50-year-old daughter, Kim Rogal, of Delaware, works there as an office manager…

Police Arrest Man Accused Of Posing As Dentist

CB — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:49:47 +0000

Police arrested a Palm Bay man who they said is accused of practicing dentistry without a license and leaving a patient worse off than she was to before her visit. Authorities with the Palm Bay Police Department said they believe there may be more victims. A real dentist who worked to undo the damage done to one patient contacted authorities…

Shame of road rage dentist who broke OAP’s cheekbone and knocked out his teeth

JG — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:15:12 +0000

A road rage dentist who knocked out a pensioner’s teeth and broke his cheekbone with a single blow has been banned from the profession for a second year. Shaun Edwards, 46, was spared jail after he admitted the ‘appalling and terrifying’ attack on 67-year-old Albert Finney. The former Army major leapt out of his black BMW and issued his victim with the chilling warning: ‘If you knew who I am, you wouldn’t tangle with me.’