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The business behind dental treatment for America’s poorest kids

By David Heath and Jill Rosenbaum

Joint investigation with PBS FRONTLINE finds pressure to meet production goals may have compromised treatment of poor young patients.

Excerpts from this story referencing "Kool Smiles":

"… izing in Medicaid began opening offices around the state. One of them was Kool Smiles. The Atlanta-based chain is the largest Medicaid dental provider in the co …"

"… or approval for each crown. That’s when the state identified problems at Kool Smiles. "The X-rays didn't show a need for these kinds of services," said Donna …"

"… cavity and they wanted to put a crown on it." They also started reviewing Kool Smiles’s X-rays taken after the treatments and found problems that Balaski call …"

"… ted under a crown and nerves left exposed. The state showed the X-rays to Kool Smiles at a meeting in August 2010 but Balaski said the company didn't seem to ta …"

Evidence of overtreatment at dental clinics serving poor children

By David Heath

Sen. Charles Grassley says the business model of corporate dental chains has led to overtreating patients medicaid patients.

Excerpts from this story referencing "Kool Smiles":

"… ildren on Medicaid. Each is owned by a private-equity firm. The chains are Kool Smiles, Small Smiles and ReachOut HealthCare America.“We’re finding that thes …"

"… for Public Integrity and FRONTLINE, revealed that the Atlanta-based chain Kool Smiles’s business model of serving kids on Medicaid has led to complaints that …"

"… icut of overusing expensive stainless-steel crowns to treat small cavities.Kool Smiles vigorously denies this, saying that it offers quality care to children in …"

"… t creates the wrong incentives.”As reported by CPI and FRONTLINE, one of Kool Smiles most controversial practices is its dentists’ heavy use of stainless-ste …"

Texas tries to crack down on dental chains that put profits ahead of patients

By David Heath

GOP legislator in Texas says its time to end "outrageous activities" of corporate dental chains.

Excerpts from this story referencing "Connecticut":

"… e pressured to bill more than they might otherwise. Regulators in Georgia, Connecticut and Massachusetts concluded that dentists at Kool Smiles were routinely do …"