Dental School Drama Ends with $1.7M Payout

Most dentists will remember academic politics from their days in dental school, but few have seen the amount of drama Alissa Zwick has.

Zwick, 30, was asked to leave the University of Michigan’s dental school after her third year, allegedly because her clinical techniques were poor. (She maintained a B average.)

However, a federal jury sided with Zwick, finding the school’s action illegal and awarding the former student $1.7 million.

So what’s the real story? Well, it’s complicated…

Since Zwick has attention deficit disorder (ADD), she asked if she could take her exams in a private setting. Two of her professors objected to this. Associate Dean Dr. Marilyn Lantz apparently had pre-existing problems with these professors, who eventually resigned.

When this caused controversy among the students, Dr. Lantz put the blame on Zwick. Zwick’s public comments earned her first Lantz’s disapproval, then a surprising expulsion.

While the university will likely cover the damages, Dr. Lantz was named as the primary defendant. Zwick’s payout includes a million dollars in punitive damages.

Though she was admitted to seven other dental schools before Michigan, her expulsion has left her unable to get into any other dental program. So Zwick is now studying to be a speech pathologist.

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Dental Practice Tricks Patient into Getting Veneers

dental veneers for teethPatient Told Veneers Would Be Free, Then Charged $5,000

A West Virginia woman has filed suit against a Charleston dental practice, alleging that dentists tricked her into getting veneers.

The woman went in for a regular hygiene visit and was told she “needed” veneers. When she said she couldn’t afford the $5,000 price tag, she was apparently told she could receive them for free if she immediately signed a document. She was in the dental chair when she signed what turned out to be a credit application. She didn’t realize she owed money until she received the Care Credit bill a few months later.

The lawsuit claims this was an illegal violation of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act encompassing fraud, deception and false pretense.

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Dentist Sued for Botched Breast Surgery

Dental plastic surgeryAmbitious Doc Goes from Cosmetic Dentistry to Plastic Surgery

A Seattle dentist and oral surgeon with a history of malpractice suits is facing another one — this time for allegedly leaving a young woman "disfigured" after he performed a breast reduction on the patient, then only 15 years old.

According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Dr. Thomas Laney was "doing full-body cosmetic surgeries without having done a residency or fellowship in the subject."

Both a licensed medical doctor and licensed dentist, Dr. Laney used to offer cosmetic surgical procedures such as liposuction. However, his lawyer claims is no longer practicing plastic surgery.

>Post your comments or read part 1 and part 2

$15M for NYC Cosmetic Dentist Injured in Moped Crash

Hand Tremors Compromised Ability to Provide Cosmetic Dentistry

New York cosmetic dentist Dr. Larry Ashkinazy called himself the "Dentist to the Stars," apparently serving a celebrity clientele. In 2002, he was riding his moped through Manhattan when he hit a manhole cover near Consolidated Edison service equipment. Though Con Ed claims the lid was barricaded, Dr. Ashkinazy sued.

The doctor was just awarded $15M for the hand tremors he suffered as a result of his injuries. Not surprisingly, Con Ed plans to appeal the ruling.

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Lawsuit Targets Overpriced, Unnecessary Dental Work

The Massachusetts Attorney General has filed suit against a group of dentists, alleging they provided unnecessary and substandard dental work that left patients both in pain and in debt.

The AG is targeting three high-volume dental practices alleged to have attracted low-income patients with the offer of a free exam, then pulling a “bait and switch” that led to unneeded restorations and high-interest loans. Over 200 patients claim to have been taken advantage of.

The lawsuit names individual dentists, finance advisers and business managers employed at the three practices in question, as well as several corporations connected to the offices. In addition to substandard care, the practices in question also provided credit lines with 28% APR to patients who apparently had no idea what they were getting into.

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