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 …"

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 "Aspen Dental":

"… found that two of the largest dental chains owned by private-equity firms, Aspen Dental Management and Kool Smiles, put pressure on its dentists to meet productio …"

"… ealth & Human Services committee.Nelson did not name a specific chain. Aspen Dental does not accept Medicaid and has no offices in Texas. But Kool Smiles has …"

"… alizing in dentures or Medicaid patients. And our investigation found that Aspen Dental and Kool Smiles set revenue targets for each clinic.The push to boost corp …"