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30 Major Mistakes Dentists Make After Being Notified of a Department of Health Investigation- Part 2

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

This two part blog series discusses the seriousness of receiving a letter of investigation from the Department of Health (DOH) and the importance of consulting an experienced health law attorney. In many cases, we are consulted by dentists after the entire investigation is over. Often, the mistakes that have been made severely compromise our ability to achieve a favorable result for the dentist.

This is part two in a two part blog series. To read part one of this series, click here.

These are the major mistakes we see in the cases we are called upon to defend after a DOH investigation has been initiated against a dentist:

16. Failing to check to see […]

Florida Board of Dentistry Makes Changes to Anesthesia Rules

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On November 13, 2017, The Florida Board of Dentistry updated rules and terminology for the use of anesthesia. The Board changed terminology from “conscious sedation” or “pediatric conscious sedation” to “moderate sedation” or “pediatric moderate sedation.”

The updates were done to ensure that the terminology adequately describes the type of anesthesia that is being performed.

Existing Permit Holders.

If you are a dentist that currently holds a “conscious sedation” or “pediatric conscious sedation” permit, you will receive a new permit with the updated terminology. The Board made no substantive changes to the definition or level of permit.

For more information on the requirements, rules and the process of getting a “moderate sedation” or “pediatric moderate sedation” permit, click here.

View the complete updated […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:46-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Dental Law Blog|Tags: Board of Dentistry defense lawyer, Board of Dentistry representation, dental anesthetists defense attorney, dental anesthetists representation, dental compliance attorney, dental facility representation, dental representation, dentist attorney, dentistry defense attorney, health law defense attorney, legal counsel for dentists, legal representation for Board of Dentistry matters, Legal representation for dentists, legal representation for health care professionals, medical anesthetists defense lawyer, medical anesthetists representation, representation for Board of Dentistry investigations, representation for investigations of dentists, reviews of The Health Law Firm attorneys, The Health Law Firm reviews|Comments Off

Arizona Appeals Court Affirms Dentist’s Suspension Over Questionable Prescriptions

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On December 13, 2016, an Arizona appeals court affirmed the suspension of a dentist who allegedly had a history of opioid addiction and who also allegedly wrote dozens of questionable prescriptions. The Arizona appeals court held that the state dental board didn’t violate his due process rights and had substantial evidence backing its decision that it wasn’t safe for him to practice.

The Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, concluded that the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners had acted within its authority by suspending Dr. Michael Wassef’s license to practice dentistry in the state. This was following Dr. Wassef’s refusal to submit to the dental board’s requests after it discovered evidence suggesting he had relapsed. The appeals court decision upheld a lower court’s decision […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:20-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Health Facilities Law Blog|Tags: administrative hearings, appeals (and variations on appeal ) of adverse license action, appeals of emergency suspension orders, Colorado dentist defense lawyer, complaint investigation defense attorney for dentists, DEA investigation defense attorney, defense attorney for board of dentistry matters, defense attorney for dentists, defense attorney for health care professionals, dental board defense work, dental board investigations, District of Columbia dentist legal representation, emergency suspension orders, Florida dentist defense attorney, impaired dentists, impaired professionals, Kentucky legal dentist defense counsel, legal counsel for dentists and dental assistants, legal representation for board investigations, legal representation for DEA investigations, Legal representation for dentists, license revocation, Louisiana dentist defense legal counsel, physician health programs, Professionals Resources Network (PRN) attorney, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews, Virginia dentist defense lawyer|Comments Off

Michigan Dentist Accused of Million Dollar Medicaid Fraud Scheme Captured in Caribbean

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Michigan dentist accused of Medicaid fraud was recently captured in the Dominican Republic after evading charges for months, state authorities announced. Dr. David Johnson operated the alleged scheme through Livernois Dental in Detroit, which he owned at the time but has since sold.

27 Charges.

Dr. Johnson was charged by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette in May 2017, after allegedly using another dentist’s information to improperly bill Medicaid $1.7 million over a three year period of time. The charges include one count of racketeering, punishable by up to 20 years in prison; 20 counts of false Medicaid claims, punishable by up to 10 years in prison; and six counts of false health care claims, punishable by up to four years in prison.

According to the Attorney General’s […]

Florida Dental Receptionist Charged With Stealing Thousands of Dollars From Patients

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On October 20, 2017, a receptionist at a Deltona dental clinic was arrested on charges she stole thousands of dollars in cash payments from the business’ customers since the beginning of 2016. Lucina Rodriguez was charged with two counts of grand theft in the case, which involved 30 missing bank deposits totaling more than $18,000 in cash. Rodriguez allegedly collected the cash payments from customers at Dental Care of Deltona, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

The Alleged Theft.

According to Volusia County sheriffs’ detectives, Rodriguez pocketed the cash deposits that were supposed to be taken to the bank. She also collected pre-payments but didn’t give receipts and failed to make a record of any payment in the patient’s file. The missing money […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:22-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Dental Law Blog|Tags: criminal defense attorney for health care professionals, defense attorney for dentists, dental defense attorney, health law defense attorney, legal representation for criminal matters against health professionals, legal representation for dental clinics and facilities, legal representation for dental receptionists, Legal representation for dentists, legal representation for employee embezzlement, legal representation for employee theft, legal representation for health care professionals, licensure defense attorney, reviews of The Health Law Firm attorneys, the health law firm, The Health Law Firm reviews|Comments Off

Arizona Appeals Court Affirms Dentist’s Suspension Over Questionable Prescriptions

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On December 13, 2016, an Arizona appeals court affirmed the suspension of a dentist who allegedly had a history of opioid addiction and who also allegedly wrote dozens of questionable prescriptions. The Arizona appeals court held that the state dental board didn’t violate his due process rights and had substantial evidence backing its decision that it wasn’t safe for him to practice.

The Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, concluded that the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners had acted within its authority by suspending Dr. Michael Wassef’s license to practice dentistry in the state. This was following Dr. Wassef’s refusal to submit to the dental board’s requests after it discovered evidence suggesting he had relapsed. The appeals court decision upheld a lower court’s decision […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:26-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Pharmacy Law Blog|Tags: administrative hearings, appeals (and variations on appeal ) of adverse license action, appeals of emergency suspension orders, Colorado dentist defense lawyer, complaint investigation defense attorney for dentists, DEA investigation defense attorney, defense attorney for board of dentistry matters, defense attorney for dentists, defense attorney for health care professionals, dental board defense work, dental board investigations, District of Columbia dentist legal representation, emergency suspension orders, Florida dentist defense attorney, impaired dentists, impaired professionals, Kentucky legal dentist defense counsel, legal counsel for dentists and dental assistants, legal representation for board investigations, legal representation for DEA investigations, Legal representation for dentists, license revocation, Louisiana dentist defense legal counsel, physician health programs, Professionals Resources Network (PRN) attorney, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews, Virginia dentist defense lawyer|Comments Off

Michigan Dentist Accused of Million Dollar Medicaid Fraud Scheme Captured in Caribbean

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Michigan dentist accused of Medicaid fraud was recently captured in the Dominican Republic after evading charges for months, state authorities announced. Dr. David Johnson operated the alleged scheme through Livernois Dental in Detroit, which he owned at the time but has since sold.

27 Charges.

Dr. Johnson was charged by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette in May 2017, after allegedly using another dentist’s information to improperly bill Medicaid $1.7 million over a three year period of time. The charges include one count of racketeering, punishable by up to 20 years in prison; 20 counts of false Medicaid claims, punishable by up to 10 years in prison; and six counts of false health care claims, punishable by up to four years in prison.

According to the Attorney General’s […]