Berks Family Dental Spa

February 3, 2016Dear [redacted] ,Please refer to case ID # [redacted] regarding this matterMy name is [redacted] and I am the Public health Dental Hygiene Practitioner and registered dental Hygienist at Berks Family Dental Spa, replacing their last hygienist in the transition which occurred late January with DrW***I have been practicing for years and have never received a complaint regarding my clinical or co-diagnosis work with PhysiciansI truly love my work, and take it very seriously, following strict ADA Compliance regulations.The patient, [redacted] , presented in my chair after we fully evaluated her medical history via the software program (we are paperless), and reviewed her x-rays for diagnosis with the Doctor [redacted] does have early to moderate periodontal disease based on radiographs and a full mouth probing with was completed as wellBefore begin any prophylaxis (cleaning), it is unethical to do this if root planning and scaling are indicatedThis also consists of " [redacted] ", a site specific antibiotic directly placed in deep pockets around the teeth where indicated to treat infection and close the pocketThis treatment is now considered standard of care in dentistry and must be presented to patients if indicted to treat specific bone lossMy assistant and I fully explained this to [redacted] She insisted go through with a standard cleaning, even though this is considered supervised neglect without written permission of her full understandingIt is like going to a Doctor for an infection and leaving with a pat on the back and not accepting treatment or antibiotics to treat a condition.I sincerely worry about patients who do not accept early treatment, because I see daily the advanced issues of this disease by neglect or mis-diagnosisWe remove many, many teeth due to this insidious diseasePeriodontal disease can be asymptomatic is it's early to moderate stage; in other words, patients do not feel anything, may not bleed, and really have no ideaThe ADA has extensive research that over 85% of patients have some form of untreated periodontal diseaseThis bacterial disease has been 100% linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and many other serious issuesIf it is caught early, obviously it should indeed be addressed and treated.It is very upsetting to me that any patient should complain about my approach, and I do apologize if it was misconstrued as anything but thorough and comprehensiveI consider, as believe my patients do, a very caring, dedicated providerThere are countless times I adjust fees and do pro-bono work if a patient just simply talks to meEvery day we work hard to make financial arrangements that work for them to get the proper treatmentThat matters more[redacted] signed her waiver and completed a "cleaning" as per requestedAccording to any ADA definition, (and insurance definitions), this is a procedure that is, "free from any periodontal disease".It is an ethical and legal dilemma if a practitioner treats a serious condition in full knowledge at a lesser degreeFurthermore, even though we have a wonderful, dedicated staff, it is ultimately my duty to check with insurance to see what is covered before begin any treatment, or you would have many more complaints I am sureThis economy is a hard state of affairs for many patients and they appreciate the fact that we double check their dental policies, and that they know their financial responsibility before any treatment beginsIn fact, most insist on it[redacted] , thank you for your letter and a chance to explain our view of the situationIt saddens me to have a patient feel this way, but I must follow protocol and standards in the industryThis is number one, to protect my patient's health, and two, to honor my license and reputation as well.The office manager will be submitting a separate letter to you as well regarding the participating insurance and HIPPA issue [redacted] is addressingShe can provide all data you will need to see that [redacted] was sent payment directly to her from the insurance company and that we graciously wrote off the rest, as we do whenever we commit to participate with an insurance companyShe was to come in or send that money to pay her bill.In dental excellence,Ellen B.PHDHP

February 3, Dear *** ***,
Please refer to case ID # *** regarding this matterMy name is *** *** *** and I am the Public health Dental Hygiene Practitioner and registered dental Hygienist at Berks Family Dental Spa, replacing their last hygienist in the
transition which occurred late January with DrW***I have been practicing for years and have never received a complaint regarding my clinical or co-diagnosis work with PhysiciansI truly love my work, and take it very seriously, following strict ADA Compliance regulations.The patient, *** ***, presented in my chair after we fully evaluated her medical history via the software program (we are paperless), and reviewed her x-rays for diagnosis with the Doctor*** *** does have early to moderate periodontal disease based on radiographs and a full mouth probing with was completed as wellBefore begin any prophylaxis (cleaning), it is unethical to do this if root planning and scaling are indicatedThis also consists of "***", a site specific antibiotic directly placed in deep pockets around the teeth where indicated to treat infection and close the pocketThis treatment is now considered standard of care in dentistry and must be presented to patients if indicted to treat specific bone lossMy assistant and I fully explained this to *** ***She insisted go through with a standard cleaning, even though this is considered supervised neglect without written permission of her full understandingIt is like going to a Doctor for an infection and leaving with a pat on the back and not accepting treatment or antibiotics to treat a condition.I sincerely worry about patients who do not accept early treatment, because I see daily the advanced issues of this disease by neglect or mis-diagnosisWe remove many, many teeth due to this insidious diseasePeriodontal disease can be asymptomatic is it's early to moderate stage; in other words, patients do not feel anything, may not bleed, and really have no ideaThe ADA has extensive research that over 85% of patients have some form of untreated periodontal diseaseThis bacterial disease has been 100% linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and many other serious issuesIf it is caught early, obviously it should indeed be addressed and treatedIt is very upsetting to me that any patient should complain about my approach, and I do apologize if it was misconstrued as anything but thorough and comprehensiveI consider, as believe my patients do, a very caring, dedicated providerThere are countless times I adjust fees and do pro-bono work if a patient just simply talks to meEvery day we work hard to make financial arrangements that work for them to get the proper treatmentThat matters more*** *** signed her waiver and completed a "cleaning" as per requestedAccording to any ADA definition, (and insurance definitions), this is a procedure that is, "free from any periodontal disease"It is an ethical and legal dilemma if a practitioner treats a serious condition in full knowledge at a lesser degreeFurthermore, even though we have a wonderful, dedicated staff, it is ultimately my duty to check with insurance to see what is covered before begin any treatment, or you would have many more complaints I am sureThis economy is a hard state of affairs for many patients and they appreciate the fact that we double check their dental policies, and that they know their financial responsibility before any treatment beginsIn fact, most insist on it*** ***, thank you for your letter and a chance to explain our view of the situationIt saddens me to have a patient feel this way, but I must follow protocol and standards in the industryThis is number one, to protect my patient's health, and two, to honor my license and reputation as wellThe office manager will be submitting a separate letter to you as well regarding the participating insurance and HIPPA issue *** *** is addressingShe can provide all data you will need to see that *** *** was sent payment directly to her from the insurance company and that we graciously wrote off the rest, as we do whenever we commit to participate with an insurance companyShe was to come in or send that money to pay her billIn dental excellence,
Ellen BPHDHP

February 3, 2016Dear [redacted],Please refer to case ID # [redacted] regarding this matter. My name is [redacted] and I am the Public health Dental Hygiene Practitioner and registered dental Hygienist at Berks Family Dental Spa, replacing their last hygienist in the transition which occurred...

late January with Dr. W[redacted]. I have been practicing for 27 years and have never received a complaint regarding my clinical or co-diagnosis work with Physicians. I truly love my work, and take it very seriously, following strict ADA Compliance regulations.The patient, [redacted], presented in my chair after we fully evaluated her medical history via the software program (we are paperless), and reviewed her x-rays for diagnosis with the Doctor. [redacted] does have early to moderate periodontal disease based on radiographs and a full mouth probing with was completed as well. Before begin any prophylaxis (cleaning), it is unethical to do this if root planning and scaling are indicated. This also consists of "[redacted]", a site specific antibiotic directly placed in deep pockets around the teeth where indicated to treat infection and close the pocket. This treatment is now considered standard of care in dentistry and must be presented to patients if indicted to treat specific bone loss. My assistant and I fully explained this to [redacted]. She insisted go through with a standard cleaning, even though this is considered supervised neglect without written permission of her full understanding. It is like going to a Doctor for an infection and leaving with a pat on the back and not accepting treatment or antibiotics to treat a condition.I sincerely worry about patients who do not accept early treatment, because I see daily the advanced issues of this disease by neglect or mis-diagnosis. We remove many, many teeth due to this insidious disease. Periodontal disease can be asymptomatic is it's early to moderate stage; in other words, patients do not feel anything, may not bleed, and really have no idea. The ADA has extensive research that over 85% of patients have some form of untreated periodontal disease. This bacterial disease has been 100% linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and many other serious issues. If it is caught early, obviously it should indeed be addressed and treated.It is very upsetting to me that any patient should complain about my approach, and I do apologize if it was misconstrued as anything but thorough and comprehensive. I consider, as believe my patients do, a very caring, dedicated provider. There are countless times I adjust fees and do pro-bono work if a patient just simply talks to me. Every day we work hard to make financial arrangements that work for them to get the proper treatment. That matters more.[redacted] signed her waiver and completed a "cleaning" as per requested. According to any ADA definition, (and insurance definitions), this is a procedure that is, "free from any periodontal disease".It is an ethical and legal dilemma if a practitioner treats a serious condition in full knowledge at a lesser degree. Furthermore, even though we have a wonderful, dedicated staff, it is ultimately my duty to check with insurance to see what is covered before begin any treatment, or you would have many more complaints I am sure. This economy is a hard state of affairs for many patients and they appreciate the fact that we double check their dental policies, and that they know their financial responsibility before any treatment begins. In fact, most insist on it.[redacted], thank you for your letter and a chance to explain our view of the situation. It saddens me to have a patient feel this way, but I must follow protocol and standards in the industry. This is number one, to protect my patient's health, and two, to honor my license and reputation as well.The office manager will be submitting a separate letter to you as well regarding the participating insurance and HIPPA issue [redacted] is addressing. She can provide all data you will need to see that [redacted] was sent payment directly to her from the insurance company and that we graciously wrote off the rest, as we do whenever we commit to participate with an insurance company. She was to come in or send that money to pay her bill.In dental excellence,Ellen B.PHDHP