When it comes to dental marketing, not all press is good press. Just ask the orthodontist who was recently featured in the Chicago Tribune’s “What’s Your Problem?” section.

The newspaper has recently covered a mother’s plight to have her son’s braces removed.

According to the woman, the orthodontist refused to remove the teen’s braces until the family settled a mysterious $300 bill for missed visits. Her two daughters had seen the same doctor, and the family had paid the orthodontic practice a total of about $12,000 over the years.

The dispute occurred in January, and involved the office filing a police report against the mother (for charges she denies). She contacted the newspaper in July. Now that it’s been featured in the paper, the boy’s dental braces are off.

The orthodontist expressed bewilderment over the whole thing. According to the practice, there is no $300 balance due, and the boy would have been welcome in at any time.

It’s not clear what really happened – but it is clear that the orthodontist doesn’t come out looking so good in the local paper!

Read more: Mom not smiling over dental dispute