Dentist Arrested for Employing Unlicensed Hygienist

A dentist has been charged with Medicaid fraud and grand theft for allegedly billing Medicaid for services provided by an unlicensed dental hygienist.

The government’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) investigated the dentist after parents of young patients complained that he mistreated them.

The investigation allegedly uncovered evidence that the dentist employed an unlicensed dental hygienist to perform periodontal root cleaning and scaling on dozens of children.  Under state law, only a licensed dentist or licensed dental hygienist may perform this procedure.

Employing an unlicensed individual to perform services that can only be performed by a licensed professional is, by itself, a crime under state licensing laws.  When claims for reimbursement are submitted to Medicaid for those services, the conduct becomes Medicaid fraud as well.

The penalties for dental fraud can be severe.  If convicted, this dentist faces up to 15 years in prison and more than $30,000 in fines.  He may be excluded from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, or other government programs.  He could also lose his professional license.

If you are under investigation or have been charged with dental Medicaid fraud, then you should consult with an experienced Medicaid fraud attorney immediately.

To arrange a free and confidential consultation, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728 or click here to reach our office via email.

John Howley, Esq.

---

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.  I invite you to contact our law offices and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail.  Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.  Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.  I practice law and offer legal services only in jurisdictions where I am properly authorized to do so.  I do not seek to represent anyone in any jurisdiction where this web site does not comply with applicable laws and bar rules.