Dentist gets investigated for filling 52 teeth

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

NewsTrack - Quirks

Published: June 26, 2007 at 4:01 PM E-mail Story | Print Preview | License

Dentist probed for filling 52 cavities

NEW YORK, June 26 (UPI) -- A New York dentist is under investigation for billing Medicaid for filling 52 cavities in a single mouth, a feat he claimed took no more than an hour or two.

"This dentist never should have been paid in the first place," State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli told the New York Post. "Human beings typically have 32 teeth. When a dentist tries to get paid for filling 52 teeth in one mouth in one day, it should raise some red flags."

The dentist, who practices in Brooklyn and lives on Long Island, is under investigation by the state Education Department, which is in charge of licensing for dentists and says it first learned of the dubious fillings from the Post, and the Health Department, which supervises Medicaid.

"We're looking at every dollar he's ever submitted through Medicaid," a Health Department spokeswoman said.

The dentist reportedly billed Medicaid for work on two other patients the same day that he billed for the 52 fillings.

The dentist's wife told the Post that her husband has been practicing in the United States for 30 years with no legal problems.

[trueimage 0]

It was worth a try.......?

[almaty 19]

wow, maybe it was a toothy lad from england

[mawilson 2,133]

Sounds like a typo to me.

32 -> 52

[MissStacey 1]

Maybe his patient was a shark.

[Lance27 19]

I'd like 52 teeth.

[Sinergy 3]

it is possible it was a typo, the dentists are not usually the ones to do the billing either way, im sure it was a nice weekly salary

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Did anyone notice the mistake:

...52 cavities in a single mouth...

...State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli told the New York Post. "Human beings typically have 32 teeth. When a dentist tries to get paid for filling 52 teeth in one mouth in one day...

DiNapoli is a chopfrack, as he hasn't figured out that one tooth can have more than one cavity.

Note: doesn't mean this dentist is honest, as the prep-drilling on them (prior to filling) is likely to take much more than "an hour or two".

Edited June 29, 2007 by CherryXS

[Lance27 19]

LOL good catch... I didn't make the connection on the 52 cavities and 52 teeth

Did anyone notice the mistake:

...52 cavities in a single mouth...

...State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli told the New York Post. "Human beings typically have 32 teeth. When a dentist tries to get paid for filling 52 teeth in one mouth in one day...

DiNapoli is a chopfrack, as he hasn't figured out that one tooth can have more than one cavity.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

What I would like to know is how you can have 32 cavaties all at once? The boy needs dentures! Imagine what kinda ####### is growin in that mouth. WHOA! *shivers*

[Carolyn 1]

I don't know, but my husband never had any dental care in his country and now needs 13 fillings...I thought 13 was excessive!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

When I lived on Long Island I noticed the Dental work was way over-priced. Now I know why.

[Cassandra+Yuibi 0]

Maybe his patient was a shark.

That's EXACTLY what I said when I read it!