One patient is trying to access his dental records after a practice affiliated with Pittsburgh-based All About Smiles abruptly shut down, CBS affiliate KDKA-TV reports.
All About Smiles operates at least six locations across Pittsburgh. Zach Dyer, 19, says he had braces put on at a Washington County, Pa., location in August 2019, which later closed, locking his dental records inside. Other practices won't help him without dental records, his mother, Michelle Paulina, told KDKA-TV.
The family contacted KDKA-TV in an effort to secure a solution and his dental records.
"It would just be so much easier if they would just return phone calls and just explain to people. That is professional," said Ms. Paulina. "We're having this interview because we've been trying for seven months now to get his medical records that are legally not even theirs. They're his."
Mr. Dyer claims he was only supposed to have his braces on for a year, but now he's 19 and doing his own dental work.
KDKA-TV contacted Shaun Heckmann, the company's new chief operating officer, who said he's trying to do right for the patients. Mr. Heckmann joined the company around five months ago and has worked to save it from bankruptcy, securing a vital Paycheck Protection Program loan.
"Honestly, we're in a volatile situation we're trying to get out of, and the owner could have very easily walked away," Mr. Heckmann said. "They didn't and they stuck it out and I think we're going to be back on track here shortly."
According to KDKA-TV, Mr. Heckmann wants all patients, including Mr. Dyer, to know this: "I know several patients have been out there in limbo. My job is to get them the patient care that they need, and they should have been receiving."