Legal representation for dentists | The Health Law Firm Blog

Medications and Substances that Mimic Prohibited Drugs on Urinalysis Drug Tests (Part 1)

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

In representing nurses and other licensed health professionals, we constantly discuss positive drug screenings, usually from employer-ordered drug testing, with our clients. These clients include nurses, pharmacists, dental professionals, mental health counselors, therapists, etc. Often these individuals need to remember that if they apply for a job with a new employer or are working for a large corporation or the government, they are subject to employer-ordered drug screenings. Most problems arise when the professional has applied to a hospital or a placement agency for work in a hospital and they must submit to a pre-employment drug […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:29-04:00May 23, 2023|Dental Law Blog|

Medications and Other Substances that Mimic Prohibited Drugs on Urinalysis Drug Tests (Part 1 of a Blog Series)

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

In representing nurses and other licensed health professionals, we constantly discuss positive drug screenings, usually from employer-ordered drug testing, with our clients. These clients include nurses, pharmacists, dental professionals, mental health counselors, therapists, etc. Often these individuals need to remember that if they apply for a job with a new employer or are working for a large corporation or the government, they are subject to employer-ordered drug screenings. Most problems arise when the professional has applied to a hospital or a placement agency for work in a hospital and they must submit to a pre-employment drug […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:30-04:00May 23, 2023|Nursing Law Blog|

ADA Files Class Action Lawsuit For Antitrust Violations

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On November 26, 2019, the American Dental Association (ADA) and two individual dentists filed a class-action lawsuit against the Delta Dental Plans Association, its affiliated national entities, and 39 independent Delta Dental companies. The suit alleges the provider network engaged in anticompetitive conduct and violated federal antitrust laws.

The ADA filed its lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Details of the Suit.

The complaint alleges Delta Dental allocated territories of operation and divided the national market to restrict competition, reduce reimbursement rates, and force unfavorable coverage to dentists. “Its harm is reflected in […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:05-04:00January 28, 2020|Health Facilities Law Blog|

Dental Clinic Owners Found Guilty of $1 Million Medicaid, Tax Scheme

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

On February 21, 2019, a federal jury found the owners of several dental clinics in Missouri guilty of a $1 million scheme to defraud the government. The owners of All About Smiles LLC, were convicted of submitting false claims to Medicaid for dentures and other services and payroll tax fraud, according to prosecutors.

Submitting False Claims.

Prosecutors alleged that the couple that owned the practice ran several schemes through the dental clinics from 2010 to 2015, including conspiring to defraud Medicaid. A main part of […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:16-04:00April 18, 2019|Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dental Law Blog, Dentist Defense attorney, Health Care Fraud, Health care Law, Medicaid Fraud, Medicaid fraud|

Dentists Smiling as $80 Million Settlement Reached in Dental Supply Price-Fixing Class Action Suit

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

On August 30, 2018, after two years of litigation, a group of dentists tentatively reached an $80 million settlement in a proposed class action accusing the country’s biggest dental supply companies of colluding to fix prices. The three dominant distributors, Henry Schein Inc., Patterson Cos. Inc. and Benco Dental Supply Co. Inc., allegedly artificially inflated prices on crowns, numbing agents, X-ray accessories and other products.

Artificially Inflating Prices.

In 2016, the three distributors were accused of artificially inflating prices on various dental supplies and equipment. Products at issue included supplies such as adhesives, implants, tooth brushes, pins and […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:21-04:00November 19, 2018|Health Facilities Law Blog|

Dentists Smiling as $80 Million Settlement Reached in Dental Supply Price-Fixing Class Action Suit

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

On August 30, 2018, after two years of litigation, a group of dentists tentatively reached an $80 million settlement in a proposed class action accusing the country’s biggest dental supply companies of colluding to fix prices. The three dominant distributors, Henry Schein Inc., Patterson Cos. Inc. and Benco Dental Supply Co. Inc., allegedly artificially inflated prices on crowns, numbing agents, X-ray accessories and other products.

Artificially Inflating Prices.

In 2016, the three distributors were accused of artificially inflating prices on various dental supplies and equipment. Products at issue included supplies such as adhesives, implants, tooth brushes, pins and […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:22-04:00October 1, 2018|Board of Dentistry, Dental Law, Dental Law Blog, Dentist Defense attorney, Dentistry Law, Dentists|

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. […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:20-04:00May 15, 2018|Health Facilities Law Blog|

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 […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:46-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law Blog|

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 […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:46-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law Blog|

30 Major Mistakes Dentists Make After Being Notified of a Department of Health Investigation- Part 1

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

The investigation of a Department of Health (DOH) complaint which could lead to the revocation of the dentist’s license, usually starts with a simple letter from the DOH. This letter should not be ignored. This is a very serious legal matter and it should be treated as such by the dentist who receives it. Yet, in many cases, we are consulted by dentists after the entire investigation is over. The case has been presented to the Probable Cause Panel and formal charges have been filed against them. They have attempted to represent themselves throughout the […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:45-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law Blog|