Dentist Pays Medicaid Patients

http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/local/investigates/2015/08/26/medicaid-pay-patients/32437495/

DALLAS — Three years after WFAA found dentists illegally recruiting Medicaid patients, new allegations indicate the practice continues.

Three mothers told us that they were paid to go to Dr. Scott Greeson's clinic — Sunshine Dental — on Scyene Road at North Masters Drive in Pleasant Grove.

More than once, Arthailia Martin says, Dr. Greeson paid her to bring her six children into Sunshine Family Dental for treatment.

"All in all, it was more than $ 200," she said.

Mothers told WFAA they were paid for dental work done
Mothers told WFAA they were paid for dental work done on their children. (Photo: WFAA)
Billings for four of her six children show nearly $ 20,000 in Medicaid dental work since 2011 — much of it performed by Dr. Greeson, they say. Billing documents for her other children were unavailable.

Jlisa Hampton received $ 100 every time she took her five children in to see Greeson, she said. "He handed me the $ 20 out of his pocket for each kid."

Another parent, Trishoune Simpson, said she received $ 20 to $ 25 every time she took her two children to Dr. Gresson.

"It's weird," Simpson told WFAA. "Every other dentist doesn't do that."

It is illegal for a dentist to pay for patients.

Dr. Scott Greeson is questioned by WFAA investigative
Dr. Scott Greeson is questioned by WFAA investigative reporter Byron Harris. (Photo: WFAA)
After several calls to Dr. Greeson, WFAA found him leaving his condo in Plano, near his clinic in that city.

"I have nothing to say to you, and I have nothing to say to the camera," he said.

A former employee of Greeson's who asked not to be identified, told WFAA the dentist's goal was to do $ 1,000 worth of work on every child he saw. The biggest money-maker, the former employee said, was pulpotomies (baby root canals) and steel crowns.

"We would say, 'You know your kid's gonna walk out of here with 20 stainless steel crowns,'" the employee said.

Dallas parents told WFAA they received cash for letting
Dallas parents told WFAA they received cash for letting their children receive dental treatment. (Photo: WFAA)
Sunshine's location on Scyene has been the subject of previous WFAA reports.

Three years ago, the facility was called All About Dentistry. WFAA discovered the clinic was picking up children from their neighborhoods, paying them $ 10 each, and treating them — at Medicaid expense, without their parents' permission.


What if dental care were a money-maker for a parent instead of a cost? News 8 Investigates.

After those reports were broadcast, a complaint was filed against All About Dentistry with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. No action has been taken.

All About Dentistry is now Sunshine Family Dentistry. Dr. Scott Greeson's name is on the door.

What about paying for patients? "I know nothing about that," Greeson said when we asked him.

Justin Hampton has a "mouthful of silvers," his mother
Justin Hampton has a "mouthful of silvers," his mother said. (Photo: WFAA)
The mothers aren't sure all the treatment their children received was necessary.

"My six year old — that was Justin — he had a mouthful of silvers," Jlisa Hampton said. "They all fell out. His gums are just constantly bleeding, all the time."

Tanaya Martin showed the scars inside her cheek.
Tanaya Martin showed the scars inside her cheek. (Photo: WFAA)
Arthalia Martin's daughter, Tanaya, showed us scars inside her cheeks she said she received during a visit to Dr. Greeson.

"I felt the doctor was performing surgery on a mouth just to get paid for it," Hampton said.

In all, Dr. Greeson paid bounty on 13 children, according to their mothers. The total billings for all those children were not available. The highest bill for one child was $ 8,200 over four years, records indicate.

News 8 has learned that a complaint has been filed with the Texas Dental Board against Dr. Greeson, but no action been taken. The average resolution time for a complaint is 15 months.

The mom was complaining about the unecessary dental work, but she sure didn't complain when she was pocketing that money he gave her.