Dentistry

A recent data breach involving the computer systems of Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC) compromised the records of more than 500 Michigan patients. GEDC operates almost 350 dental practices in 10 states, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, making it one of the largest dental services organizations (DSOs) in the country.

GEDC’s website explains:…

As a dental professional, you are likely aware of the surge of consolidation that has been affecting the industry for the last several years, which has mostly been driven by Dental Services Organizations (DSOs). This consolidation has not only created significant financial opportunities for investors, but it has also created additional financial and exit opportunities…

The Westchester District Attorney’s office announced on March 17 that it has charged Cesar Masso, a 78-year-old Queens resident, with illegally practicing dentistry without a license. Masso operated a dental practice in White Plains under the name East Post Dental, performing professional services including extractions, examinations, and delivering anesthetics, and has been charged with three…

I don’t know how to say it any more clearly.  Somehow, medical and dental practices continue to get roped into responding to negative patient reviews on Yelp, Google, or elsewhere online, and posting any identifying information about a patient is a HIPAA violation. It’s protected health information (PHI), even if the patient posted something first.

The American Dental Association (ADA) announced on November 15 that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has agreed to create a new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code G0330 for dental surgeries performed under anesthesia in hospital operating rooms. The new code resulted from an advocacy campaign driven by the ADA, American…

Align Technology, the manufacturer of the Invisalign system of orthodontic braces, recently announced the release of an improved artificial intelligence-assisted smartphone app that can direct an Invisalign wearer when to advance to his or her next set of aligners. The company’s “Virtual Care AI-assisted Remote Monitoring Solution” helps patients take pictures of their teeth, and…

The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey and New York Attorney General Letitia James both announced on October 6 that pediatric dentist Barry L. Jacobson, his management company, and 13 affiliated pediatric dentistry practices agreed to pay $753,457 to resolve allegations of False Claims Act violations. Between 2011 and 2018, Jacobson and other…

On September 13, a coalition of leading dental organizations sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) urging CMS to increase access to dental surgeries in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). The letter was signed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, and American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial…

Dental Care Alliance, LLC (DCA) agreed to settle a class action lawsuit that arose out of a 2020 cyberattack. A hearing to approve the $3 million settlement was held on September 1.

DCA, based in Sarasota, Fla., is a dental services organization that provides practice support to over 390 affiliated dental practices across the U.S.…