Sunday, January 27, 2013

Dental clinic Small Smiles criticized for performing poor, unnecessary procedures | Synopsis

Dental clinic Small Smiles criticized for performing poor, unnecessary procedures

Nyaya Health: Clinic
Nyaya Health: Clinic by Nyaya Health
License (according to Flickr): Attribution License
Excerpt:

The national children’s dental clinic Small Smiles is under fire after an investigative report revealed allegations that the chain’s clinics have been performing substandard work and unnecessary dental procedures – responsible for increasing taxpayer cost.  The accusations come from numerous parents, former employees of the company and government investigators, who are concerned about the exploitation of children’s health. According to an NBC News investigation of 63 Small Smiles clinics over the past three years, the alleged practices are in direct violation of a settlement the chain made with the Department of Justice in early 2010.  The settlement was in response to previous allegations accusing the company of performing unnecessary and substandard dental procedures on low-income children. After the 2010 incident, the company managing Small Smiles, Church Street Health Management, agreed to significantly alter the procedures within the clinics, as well as undergo independent monitoring, NBC said.

Keywords:

Small Smiles NBC News Small Smiles clinics company root canals HHS OIG investigative report dental procedures low-income children clinic Small Smiles NBC News investigation unnecessary dental procedures NBC investigative report substandard dental procedures health undergo independent monitoring Church Street Health public health records Small Smile clinic 3-year-old son Nathan Human Services Office performed on babies were found to be medically Senator Chuck Grassley substandard work taxpayer cost national children children s health previous allegations Autum Archuleta government investigators numerous parents direct violation poorly done root alleged practices multiple instances Inspector General Ohio clinic silver fillings dental treatment treatment room CSHM federal funds stabilization device numerous second chances chain settlement employees Department Medicaid audit

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Autum Archuleta

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Organization: Department of Health and Human Services Office

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Organization: Department of Justice

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