Two unlicensed Arizona dentists are accused of running a scheme that targeted an elderly man who underwent a botched dental procedure, according to local news broadcaster ABC 15.
Denis Froehlich, DDS, and Howard Smith, DDS, were indicted Feb 19 on charges of fraudulent schemes and artifices. The case was unsealed this week after the dentists made their first court appearances.
In addition to the fraudulent scheme charges, Dr. Froehlich has been accused of practicing dentistry without a licensed and aggravated assault from the failed dental surgery he performed on 86-year-old Stanley Serklew in February 2017.
Since the dental procedure, Mr. Serklew said his bottom teeth still haven't been fixed, and it will cost tens of thousands of dollars to do so.
Mr. Serklew said he found an online advertisement for Dr. Smith's business, Smile Again Dental Laboratories, and Dr. Smith referred him to Dr. Froehlich. The three men met to discuss treatment options, a spokesperson for the Arizona attorney general's office confirmed.
Online records from the Arizona Dental Board indicate Dr. Froehlich and Dr. Smith licenses were revoked. Dr. Froehlich lost his in 2013. Dr. Smith lost his license in 1992.
To address the issue of phony dentists, Arizona lawmakers are set to pass legislation that would change how medical imposter cases are documented, investigated, tracked and reported to law enforcement, ABC 15 said.
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Denis Froehlich, DDS, and Howard Smith, DDS, were indicted Feb 19 on charges of fraudulent schemes and artifices. The case was unsealed this week after the dentists made their first court appearances.
In addition to the fraudulent scheme charges, Dr. Froehlich has been accused of practicing dentistry without a licensed and aggravated assault from the failed dental surgery he performed on 86-year-old Stanley Serklew in February 2017.
Since the dental procedure, Mr. Serklew said his bottom teeth still haven't been fixed, and it will cost tens of thousands of dollars to do so.
Mr. Serklew said he found an online advertisement for Dr. Smith's business, Smile Again Dental Laboratories, and Dr. Smith referred him to Dr. Froehlich. The three men met to discuss treatment options, a spokesperson for the Arizona attorney general's office confirmed.
Online records from the Arizona Dental Board indicate Dr. Froehlich and Dr. Smith licenses were revoked. Dr. Froehlich lost his in 2013. Dr. Smith lost his license in 1992.
To address the issue of phony dentists, Arizona lawmakers are set to pass legislation that would change how medical imposter cases are documented, investigated, tracked and reported to law enforcement, ABC 15 said.
More articles on dental:
Aspen Dental to bring 400 jobs to Arizona, to open 80 new offices in 2019
Washington state dental assistant suspended for using nitrous oxide on the job, health department says
Texas sets aside $20M for new dental school