Though several court cases against dentists and dental companies were settled in January, others are just getting started. Below are seven updates on court cases involving dentists and dental organizations.
1. Laurel, Md.-based Dr. Batz & Weiner Family Dentistry settled allegations Jan. 22 with the Maryland Attorney General's Office that it overbilled patients and did not provide accurate information about treatment costs.
2. An Anchorage, Alaska-based dentist has been convicted of 46 charges including felony fraud charges and "unlawful dental acts," which included performing oral surgery while riding on a hoverboard, according to a Jan. 17 Alaska Department of Law news release.
3. Two dentists and a dental office manager have been arrested for allegedly defrauding MassHealth, the Massachusetts Medicaid program, according to a Jan. 16 Department of Justice news release.
4. The Superior Court of New Jersey ruled Jan. 10 that the allegations against SmileDirectClub that it illegally practiced dentistry brought on by the New Jersey Dental Association were without merit.
5. A former dental assistant is suing the dentist and owner of Swansea, Ill.-based Emerald Terrace Dental after he allegedly made racist remarks and propositioned her for sex.
6. A class-action suit was filed Jan. 6 against a Florida dental practice, claiming the practice sent text messages such as "We are open today!" without consent, violating a federal robocall statute.
7. A Morrisville, Pa.-based dentist has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle allegations that she mishandled opioids at her dental practice.