Daly City, Calif.-based Campus Heights Dental Care dentist Amishi Patel, DDS, pled no contest and was sentenced to 20 months in jail for performing unnecessary dental work on eight patients, The Daily Journal reports.
Among the eight patients Dr. Patel treated without cause was a 16-year-old girl. Dr. Patel recommended the girl undergo 16 cavity fillings. After undergoing her eighth filling, the patients father took her to see a second opinion. It was then the patient learned she didn't need any cavities filled and the eight that were filled needed to be redone because of their poor quality.
The District Attorney's Office learned of the insurance fraud case and reported it to the Dental Board of California. Dr. Patel was then charged in February 2017. A judge released her on bail, and she was ordered not to practice.
However, Dr. Patel stole the identity of another dentist to gain employment after her release. Investigators also learned she altered the order to make it seem it had been rescinded days later. Dr. Patel was able to treat four patients under a false identity.
Dr. Patel used the license number for a fellow dentist in the area to apply for several jobs in Fremont, Calif. It was during an interview for a job at one of these practices when an undercover officer discovered her identity fraud.
Dr. Patel pled no contest to all charges: insurance fraud, assault, identity theft and forgery. A restitution hearing is set for June 22.
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Among the eight patients Dr. Patel treated without cause was a 16-year-old girl. Dr. Patel recommended the girl undergo 16 cavity fillings. After undergoing her eighth filling, the patients father took her to see a second opinion. It was then the patient learned she didn't need any cavities filled and the eight that were filled needed to be redone because of their poor quality.
The District Attorney's Office learned of the insurance fraud case and reported it to the Dental Board of California. Dr. Patel was then charged in February 2017. A judge released her on bail, and she was ordered not to practice.
However, Dr. Patel stole the identity of another dentist to gain employment after her release. Investigators also learned she altered the order to make it seem it had been rescinded days later. Dr. Patel was able to treat four patients under a false identity.
Dr. Patel used the license number for a fellow dentist in the area to apply for several jobs in Fremont, Calif. It was during an interview for a job at one of these practices when an undercover officer discovered her identity fraud.
Dr. Patel pled no contest to all charges: insurance fraud, assault, identity theft and forgery. A restitution hearing is set for June 22.
More articles on dentists:
Dentist files $10M suit against health unit for accusing him of using unsterile instruments: 4 insights
Virginia dentist sentenced to 30 months in prison for defrauding Medicaid: 3 takeaways
Henry Schein partners with Ortho2 to improve practice management software: 3 insights