Dentists have made headlines this year for better or for worse, including a few lawsuits. Below are 10 of the most notable lawsuits regarding dentists, dental companies and patients that were filed in 2019.
1. A Mississippi dentist filed a lawsuit Dec. 11 against Delta Dental, accusing the dental insurer of price-fixing and conspiring to lower compensation for dentists.
2. A Greensburg, Pa.-based dental group filed a lawsuit on June 6 against a patient who allegedly posted false statements about the practice on Facebook.
3. Dismissed University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry student Afsaneh Momtahan is suing the institution for readmission or $1.75 million, claiming the dental school violated academic policies and breach agreements.
4. The American Dental Association, along with two individual dentists, are claiming Delta Dental violated antitrust laws and engaged in anticompetitive conduct.
5. After a series of raids at its retail locations, SmileDirectClub filed a lawsuit Oct. 16 against the Dental Board of California.
6. Investors who purchased SmileDirectClub common stock during the company's initial public offering in September have filed a class-action lawsuit claiming SmileDirectClub made false and misleading statements.
7. Six women who worked at a Marshfield, Mo., dental practice filed lawsuits Aug. 13 claiming the dentist created a hostile work environment and that management failed to step in.
8. Two separate lawsuits have been filed in the Wetzel County Circuit Court against New Martinsville (W. Va.) dental, accusing dentist Adam Pendleton, DDS, of sexual harassment.
9. Lexington-based University of Kentucky School of Dentistry's former dean is suing the school, claiming he was unlawfully fired.
10. Former Los Angeles-based University of Southern California School of Dentistry professor Jucheng Chen, DDS, is suing his former employer, claiming he was fired in 2017 after complaining to the university that students' grades had been changed. Dr. Chen is alleging wrongful termination, retaliation and age discrimination.