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Trooth.Com – The Tate Viehweg DMD Interview Part Two
You remember the FLAP.
A number of Utah oral and maxillofacial surgeons have begun a dentistry turf war with a fellow dentist, Heath Hendrickson, over the extraction of wisdom teeth. The surgeons have sponsored a website (Trooth.com) and a billboard on I-15 in Utah County, Utah.
The oral surgeons who are listed below have a beef with general dentist, Heath Hendrickson, who refers to himself as Dr. Wisdom Teeth.
Last week, I conducted an interview with Utah Oral Surgeon Dr. David Nicholls about Trooth.Com and its public awareness campaign. The interview was posted in four parts.
Part One of my interview with Dr. Nicholls is posted here. Part Two is posted here. Part Three of the interview is here. Part Four is here.
Prior to beginning Dr. Nicholls’ interview, I reached out and attempted to contact all of the oral and maxillofacial surgeons on the Board of Trooth.Com. Dr. Nicholls was the first to contact me and later in the week, Dr. Tate Viehweg of Alpine Surgical Arts consented to an interview.
I continue to seek the other oral surgeon’s comments and there is an open interview request for them.
Dr. Viehweg and I began the interview on Friday and is continuing after a break (that I requested) for the weekend. I will undoubtedly break the interview down into a number of posts, since there is much material.
Part one of the interview is here.
The interview continues:
Flap:
You mentioned that you have had contact with Dr. Hendrickson’s patients in your office. Did he refer the patients to you?
Or, did these patients come to you with post-operative complications?
Viehweg:
These patients found me either on their own, referred from another general dentist, or referred/consulted from/in the hospital emergency room – all with post-operative complications.
Flap:
Without violating patient confidentiality, how many patients of Dr. Hendrickson’s have you seen with post-operative complications?
What were the nature of the complications?
Did you ever discuss the patient cases with Dr. Hendrickson?
Are you aware of any of these patients who have filed complaints with the Utah DOPL? Or, filed or plan to file malpractice lawsuits against Dr. Hendrickson?
Viehweg:
I’ve been at my current practice for 4 years and have seen at least 4 of his patients for post-operative complications including severe post-operative infections and completion of extractions that were only partially removed, although the representation was that the entire tooth had been removed.
Geographically, there are several surgeons closer to his offices that see many more of his post-operative complications than I do.
A huge concern is that he is not readily available to his patients for their post-operative issues-this results in them going to the emergency room out of necessity and the oral and maxillofacial surgeon on call being requested to care for the patient.
To be fair, I see many similar complications from a handful of general dentists near my office who disregard even the most diplomatic of requests that they inform their patients that they are not specialists.
As I stated earlier, I have had limited interaction with Dr. Hendrickson.
I am not specifically aware of any of my patients that were at one time treated by him that are pursuing litigation against him or that have filed a formal complaint with DOPL. I suspect it is only a matter of time, if it hasn’t happened already.
Viehweg:
After reading through all of our e-mails, I need to clarify that the mention of practitioners not being readily available for post-operative and after hours needs was state as he, this should be clarified as THEY are not readily available to THEIR patients for post-operative…It is a statement in general and not in specific regarding post-procedural care.
Flap:
What has been the response to the Trooth.Com public awareness campaign?
From the public?
From your oral surgery colleagues?
From the general dentists who refer to your surgery practice?
Viehweg:
I have not had any feedback from anyone (public, surgical colleagues, general dentists) since the campaign began.
Flap:
Are you aware that Trooth.Com protesters with signs picketed Dr. Hendrickson’s office on Friday?
If you are, did the Board pay them to picket?
Besides the website, billboard and picketing, will there be more to the Trooth.Com public awareness campaign? Radio ads? Direct Mail campaign?
Viehweg:
I was aware of the picketing at Dr. Hendrickson’s office on Friday. The picketing is part of the Trooth.com campaign to inform the public of the safety issues with which we are concerned.
To my knowledge the billboard, picketing, and the Trooth.com website comprise the bulk of the campaign.
Flap:
Have you read the October 19, 2012 press release issued by Dr. Hendrickson’s attorney?
It says that the Trooth.Com is conducting “a misleading fear and smear publicity campaign.”
Where does Trooth.Com go from here, in light of this comment?
Viehweg:
I haven’t read the press release. What is noted in the Trooth.com campaign is factual and intended only to inform the public.
You will need to reach out to Dr. Nichols for confirmation regarding the future of the public safety campaign conducted by Trooth.com.
Flap:
Thank you Dr. Viehweg.
Would you like to make any closing remarks?
Viehweg:
Thank you for this opportunity to share my views. If you have any additional questions, feel free.
The interview came to a close.
It is my understanding that Dr. Wisdom Teeth, Dr. Heath Hendrickson and his wife, added two new members to their family over this past weekend.
Dr. Hendrickson has consented to an interview, when his life has a resumed a less hectic course.
As far as I know, the pickets from Trooth.Com have not returned to Dr. Hendrickson’s dental office.
Stay tuned…..
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The Morning Flap: October 23, 2012
These are my links for October 22nd through October 23rd:
- 2012: The battle for 7 states – Jonathan Martin – POLITICO.com – RT @jmartpolitico: A grudging consensus in Boca: the 7 states where the election will be decided >
- Josh Kraushaar’s post on Capitol Hill Insiders | Latest updates on Sulia – Per @mikeallen, this is Romney map. They think they’re up 271-261 (with IA tossup) …
- Krauthammer: Romney Won Unequivocally; Obama’s Responses Were Petty– I think it’s unequivocal, Romney won. And he didn’t just win tactically, but strategically. Strategically, all he needed to do is basically draw. He needed to continue the momentum he’s had since the first debate, and this will continue it. Tactically, he simply had to get up there and show that he’s a competent man, somebody who you could trust as commander in chief, a who knows every area of the globe and he gave interesting extra details, like the Haqqani network, which gave the impression he knows what he’s talking about. But there is a third level here, and that is what actually happened in the debate.We can argue about the small points and the debating points. Romney went large, Obama went very, very small, shockingly small. Romney made a strategic decision not go after the president on Libya, or Syria, or other areas where Obama could accuse him of being a Bush-like war monger. Now I would have gone after Obama on Libya like a baseball bat, but that’s why Romney has won elections and I’ve never had to even contested them. He decided to stay away from the and I think that might have actually worked for him
- Obama may have won the Boca debate battle but he knows he is losing the election war to Romney– If you had been on an extended vacation for the past four years, you would have been forgiven for watching this debate and thinking you were viewing a President Mitt Romney being challenged by a pretender called Barack Obama. It’s not that Obama did not have command of foreign policy issues or did not make some telling points against an opponent who was vague at times and occasionally uncertain. But Obama clearly came into the debate believing he had to score points and change the dynamic of the race.In short, Obama started the 90 minutes here in Boca Raton, Florida believing he was losing his bid for re-election.Romney, by contrast, felt he could play things safe. He was a kinder, gentler presence than he was in the second debate in Hempstead, New York, when he fought back hard against a hyper Obama desperate to make up for his catastrophic performance in the first debate in Denver.By and large, Romney succeeded in Boca. He came across as knowledgeable and reasonable and made no mistakes. In short, he passed the commander-in-chief test. Having proved in the first debate he had the backbone, policy expertise and determination to try to tackle America’s economic woes, tonight he showed that he was a plausile commander-in-chief.It was not an especially high bar, but he cleared it.
- A Perfectly Plausible President– Mitt Romney needed to pass the usual tests for Republican presidential candidates in his debate Monday night with President Obama.There was the Ford test (alternatively known as the Palin/Cain/Perry test): Would Mr. Romney say something so obviously misinformed, so manifestly silly, so revealingly ignorant as to disqualify him from serious consideration as a prospective commander-in-chief? He said nothing of the sort.There was the Goldwater test (unfairly named, but reputations are stubborn things): Did Mr. Romney make pronouncements so belligerent as to make ordinary people fear for their children’s safety—or at least provide David Axelrod a chance to make it seem as if he did? He did not, though that won’t stop Mr. Axelrod from trying.And there was the Bush test (not unfairly named but mistakenly understood to mean ideology when it ought to be about consistency): Would Mr. Romney find a deft way to define his foreign policy as something other than a retread of the 43rd president—but also as something defensible, distinctive, and (not least) identifiably Republican?On this score, Mr. Romney succeeded, too, if only in a manner coyly calculated to raise the hackles of every conservative who has harbored doubts all along about the Massachusetts governor.
- Obama wins final debate, but does it matter?– Three debates down and two weeks of campaigning to go.A forceful President Barack Obama put Republican challenger Mitt Romney on the defensive on foreign policy on Monday night, with analysts and an immediate poll giving him the victory in their final debate just 15 days before the November 6 vote.Now the candidates hit the road for the final sprint to Election Day, focusing on the handful of battleground states considered still up for grabs and therefore vital to both their chances in a razor’s edge race.Obama kicks off his “America Forward” tour on Tuesday with events in Florida and Ohio, where he will be joined by Vice President Joe Biden, while Romney and his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, campaign in Nevada and Colorado.On Monday, Obama displayed the experience of a commander-in-chief in explaining U.S. policy under his leadership and attacking the views and proposals of Romney, a former Massachusetts governor with less experience on international issues.
Romney ended up supporting most of the Obama administration’s steps involving hotspots, such as the civil war in Syria, and preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, giving the president the advantage in a debate in which his GOP rival needed to question foreign policy of the past four years.
Analysts agreed that Obama won on points, but questioned if the result would have a big impact on voters and the race as a whole.
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-22 – Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-22
- Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-22 – Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-22 #tcot
- My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-22 – Locum Tenens (Temporary) Dentist – Gregory Cole, D.D.S. – My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-22
- Obama and Romney duke it out on foreign policy – Right Turn – The Washington Post – RT @JRubinBlogger: Romney nails Obama on apology tour, education, Iran.. Obama major gaffe on navy .. Romney sails on
- CA-26: Early Vote By Mail Report Favoring GOP’s Tony Strickland – CA-26: Early Vote By Mail Report Favoring GOP’s Tony Strickland #tcot
- Trooth.Com – The Tate Viehweg DMD Interview Part One – Flap’s Blog – – The Tate Viehweg DMD Interview Part One #tcot
- Day By Day October 22, 2012 – Try Hard – Flap’s Blog – Day By Day October 22, 2012 – Try Hard #tcot
- Untitled (http://www.rgj.com/needlogin?type=login&redirecturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rgj.com%2Farticle%2F2012102) – Untitled (… #tcot
- The Morning Flap: October 22, 2012 – Flap’s Blog – The Morning Flap: October 22, 2012 #tcot
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Day By Day October 23, 2012 – Foreigner
The foreign policy Presidential debate last night broke NO new ground.
Mitt Romney looked and was ill.
President Obama was the aggressor and had to be as it is perceived he is trailing in his re-election race. Obama won on points.
Mitt Romney did what he had to do – not look like a radical, Barry Goldwater type. He succeeded and the campaign continues into the last two weeks.
The key battleground states at this point are Wisconsin, Iowa, and Colorado. I will have more on this and a new Electoral College map soon.
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Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-22
- My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-22 – Locum Tenens (Temporary) Dentist – Gregory Cole, D.D.S. http://t.co/5ssNmQyt #tcot 22:54:50, 2012-10-22
- My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-22 http://t.co/kiXxw8Km 22:07:25, 2012-10-22
- Obama and Romney duke it out on foreign policy – Right Turn – The Washington Post http://t.co/TEwRxq2d #tcot 20:49:20, 2012-10-22
- RT @JRubinBlogger: If you think Obama was tied or ahead going in nothing you say about debate is correct because Obama obviously thought … 20:44:58, 2012-10-22
- CNN Poll: Who won the Debate? Obama 48% Vs. Romney 40% – But, does it change anyone's vote? Doubtful #tcot 20:16:41, 2012-10-22
- RT @JRubinBlogger: Romney nails Obama on apology tour, education, Iran.. Obama major gaffe on navy .. Romney sails on http://t.co/FtF7xheC 20:08:14, 2012-10-22
- Obama's disrespect of Romney now in the Far Left zone = don't think Indy voters will appreciate it much. #tcot 18:47:03, 2012-10-22
- Obama now denigrating Romney over naval ships. This isn't "battleship." Good grief….#tcot 18:45:13, 2012-10-22
- The TV networks should have set up two podiums in the town square at noon and let them both shout it out for 3-4 hours.Whoever survives wins 18:44:14, 2012-10-22
- @moomoof This deabte is a colossal fail. in reply to moomoof 18:42:59, 2012-10-22
- I sense desperation on the part of the President. He has become Joe Biden = interruptus. #tcot 18:41:42, 2012-10-22
- This debate has become besides the point. Obama just rants on and on…#tcot 18:40:58, 2012-10-22
- Obama brings the shift to his teacher's Union pals and organized laber. WTF does this have to do with foreign policy? #tcot 18:36:44, 2012-10-22
- The sound you hear are the clicks of voters turning their attention to the Giants Vs. Cards on Fox. #tcot 18:26:23, 2012-10-22
- This debate is already boring and they both will agree in the end. Back to the economy and the last two weeks of non-stop TV ads. #tcot 18:24:40, 2012-10-22
- Romney making an attempt to look Presidential = playing it safe. Sound, moderate stance – nothing outlandish. #tcot 18:21:14, 2012-10-22
- Obama is filibsutering the debate again. And, moderator letting him do it = disgraceful. #tcot 18:18:29, 2012-10-22
- Question: Is Mali trending worldwide yet? #tcot 18:17:12, 2012-10-22
- Boom! Romny mocks Obama about Putin flexibility statement after the election. #tcot 18:14:35, 2012-10-22
- CNN reports that Romney has been sick all day. Will he be able to endure the full 90 minutes of stress? As President you have to. #tcot 18:13:05, 2012-10-22
- Now, Obama is going on to mock Romney = not going to work #tcot 18:11:22, 2012-10-22
- Romney quote of the night: "We can't kill our way out of this mess." #tcot 18:08:50, 2012-10-22
- RT @RobStutzman: Romney crossing up by not attacking on Libya…he doesn't need to. #lynndebate 18:07:25, 2012-10-22
- I think Mitt Romney is sick and is febrile. Guess he couldn't cancel the debate but still…. #tcot 18:05:46, 2012-10-22
- Pardon, but Mitt Romney looks a little under the weather to me. Is he sick? #tcot 18:03:53, 2012-10-22
- CA-26: Early Vote By Mail Report Favoring GOP's Tony Strickland http://t.co/HCDbfubJ #tcot 16:39:18, 2012-10-22
- CA-26: Early Vote By Mail Report Favoring GOP’s Tony Strickland http://t.co/PQvRlGjb #tcot 14:11:47, 2012-10-22
- Mitt Romney has the Big Mo and with a strong debate performance tonight he can finish off Obama. Will Mitt close the deal? #tcot 10:33:42, 2012-10-22
- http://t.co/Xl2jTx9T – The Tate Viehweg DMD Interview Part One – Flap's Blog http://t.co/DRZmMzzV #tcot 09:51:25, 2012-10-22
- http://t.co/Xl2jTx9T – The Tate Viehweg DMD Interview Part One http://t.co/YRMpKjzc #tcot 09:20:25, 2012-10-22
- Day By Day October 22, 2012 – Try Hard – Flap's Blog http://t.co/09YqoiuH #tcot 07:46:39, 2012-10-22
- Day By Day October 22, 2012 – Try Hard http://t.co/Eo1IuHSx #tcot 07:27:35, 2012-10-22
- Untitled ( http://t.co/tNJ2T4xw ) http://t.co/lf1hRcGO #tcot 07:15:07, 2012-10-22
- The Morning Flap: October 22, 2012 – Flap's Blog http://t.co/56yXeYJJ #tcot 06:44:02, 2012-10-22
- Untitled (http://t.co/tNJ2T4xw… http://t.co/nXSoqNZX #tcot 06:44:02, 2012-10-22
- The Morning Flap: October 22, 2012 http://t.co/CzY8rdbl #tcot 05:54:20, 2012-10-22
- Third Obama-Romney debate sets stage for final campaign push http://t.co/ZvKhFRAI #tcot 05:41:03, 2012-10-22
- Nevada needs a change now; elect Mitt Romney president | Reno Gazette-Journal http://t.co/5TU6QlEX #tcot 05:41:03, 2012-10-22
- Monday's Debate Puts Focus on Foreign Policy Clashes – http://t.co/JHRYpuyC http://t.co/gwPpxueG #tcot 05:41:02, 2012-10-22
- Presidential debate 2012: Obama desperate to turn around ailing campaign as Mitt Romney rockets in polls http://t.co/a77tbCk9 #tcot 05:09:50, 2012-10-22
- Anatomy of a failed foreign policy http://t.co/vFvKWpvz #tcot 05:09:50, 2012-10-22
- Monday's Debate Puts Focus on Foreign Policy Clashes http://t.co/lwI1xMEd #tcot 05:09:49, 2012-10-22
- RT @adrian_gray Romney set new high in Battleground poll. Now at highs in Battleground, Gallup, Pew, NBC/WSJ, Fox, & Daily Kos polls. #tcot 04:54:29, 2012-10-22
- RT @nationaljournal First weekend of early voting favors Obama in Nevada http://t.co/fc2iaglU #tcot 04:53:08, 2012-10-22
- RT @WSJ Breaking: Cycling's governing body agrees to strip Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles. http://t.co/OugPnAEU 04:51:05, 2012-10-22
- RT @HotlineJosh Mitt's momentum: Romney leads Obama, 49 to 47 % in Politico/GWU poll. Leads 50-48 in 10 swing states. http://t.co/QlUIi15e 04:43:12, 2012-10-22
- To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle.
–Walt Whitman
Happy Monday! 04:38:53, 2012-10-22
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-21 http://t.co/DsVHN5cR 04:02:19, 2012-10-22
- Flap's Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-21 – Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog http://t.co/Z6O3tTmH #tcot 03:36:43, 2012-10-22
- Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-21 http://t.co/MHQn6ks9 #tcot 03:01:34, 2012-10-22
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CA-26: Early Vote By Mail Report Favoring GOP’s Tony Strickland
Chart Graphic By PoliticalDataInc
Scott Lay over at The Nooner mentioned Paul Mitchell’s report.
The report particularly references CA-26 and SD-27 where Republicans Tony Strickland and Todd Zink are in tightly contested races in districts with competitive (nearly equal) party registrations.
In Ventura County’s two heavily contested races, Republicans ARE turning out to vote by mail. And, turning out like they voted historically in the past two of the three elections.
In CA-26 (Ventura County based Congressional Election) with Tony Strickland vs. Julia Brownley, Republican voters are at a +4% partisan turnout.
In SD-27 (California State Senate which may determine whether Democrats win a 2/3’rds majority of the Senate) with Todd Zink vs. Fran Pavley, Republican voters are at a +4% partisan turnout.
Even, if you consider the other modeling reports, the GOP is plus – at least here in Ventura County.
Could this mean, greater enthusiasm?
I think so, as my local friends and colleagues have expressed an increased desire in casual conversation to vote this election. At least, it means Republicans are not discouraged and are turning out to vote, like they have in the past.
Good news for the Ventura County Republican Party – so far!
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Trooth.Com – The Tate Viehweg DMD Interview Part One
You remember the FLAP.
A number of Utah oral and maxillofacial surgeons have begun a dentistry turf war with a fellow dentist, Heath Hendrickson, over the extraction of wisdom teeth. The surgeons have sponsored a website (Trooth.com) and a billboard on I-15 in Utah County, Utah.
The oral surgeons who are listed below have a beef with general dentist, Heath Hendrickson, who refers to himself as Dr. Wisdom Teeth.
Last week, I conducted an interview with Utah Oral Surgeon Dr. David Nicholls about Trooth.Com and its public awareness campaign. The interview was posted in four parts.
Part One of my interview with Dr. Nicholls is posted here. Part Two is posted here. Part Three of the interview is here. Part Four is here.
Prior to beginning Dr. Nicholls’ interview, I reached out and attempted to contact all of the oral and maxillofacial surgeons on the Board of Trooth.Com. Dr. Nicholls was the first to contact me and later in the week, Dr. Tate Viehweg of Alpine Surgical Arts consented to an interview.
I continue to seek the other oral surgeon’s comments and there is an open interview request for them.
Dr. Viehweg and I began the interview on Friday and is continuing after a break (that I requested) for the weekend. I will undoubtedly break the interview down into a number of posts, since there is much material.
Who is Tate Viehweg, D.M.D.?
Here is a graphic from his website:
From Alpine Surgical Arts website
This interview is being conducted via E-mail vs. Dr. Nicholls’ interview which was over the telephone.
Flap:
You are a Board Member of Trooth.Com. Why did you feel posting a billboard and a website Trooth.Com. featuring Dr. Heath Hendrickson was appropriate? Why are you participating with this organization?
Viehweg:
Billboard and website – I feel that the website and billboard, with the purpose of educating the public regarding their healthcare and more specifically their surgery, is necessary given the current climate surrounding dental care in the state of Utah. The public is bombarded with countless advertisements making claims of being “experts” and practicing in “unique sub-specialties of dentistry” that are confusing and misleading. (quotations are directly from Dr. Hendrickson’s marketing efforts). In light of the many complications that we see as oral and maxillofacial surgeons as a result of general dentists performing procedures that might be better suited to having them performed by a specialist, our group has become concerned with this growing trend.
Certainly Dr. Hendrickson is not the only offender, but he is easily the most widely known given his extensive marketing efforts. In addition, many in our group have seen a disproportionate number of patients with complications from these types of practitioners and it is alarming to see the severity of the complications.
Is this appropriate? I think if you asked the patients who have seen me with complications following surgery performed by someone they thought was a specialist, they would answer in the affirmative.
My participation – I am participating because I have a moral obligation to my neighbor to help him or her avoid something that could prove harmful. The state professional licensing board is failing the public by not enforcing the laws and regulations that are known among practitioners and blatantly disregarded.
The public deserves to be educated.
Flap:
Do you think Dr. Hendrickson’s advertising is the main problem?
If so, what corrections would you like him to perform on the ads that would satisfy you?
Viehweg:
– I’m not really certain what the main problem is. I do know that the patients/consumers/healthcare recipients in Utah are confused and often times ill-informed.
The deceptive marketing tactics that are being practiced both externally and internally (within dental offices) are making the confusion and misinformation worse.
Dr. Hendrickson may or may not be the worst offender. He may or may not be doing it intentionally.
However, if a member of the lay public were to follow his advertising, they would be hard pressed, in most cases, to be able to ascertain if he was a general dentist or a specialist.
He conducts two websites – www.wisdomteethonly.com as well as www.drwisdomteeth.com
Here is an exerpt from one of his websites copied 30 seconds ago from his website:
“Some people are confused by our internet advertising under “Dr. Wisdom Teeth.” Patients and friends in Utah know us as “Wisdom Teeth Only™” WE ARE ONE AND THE SAME!”
-The Wisdom Teeth Only website proclaims services are provided by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The Dr. Wisdom Teeth website proclaims
what you see above. By his own admission, the internet advertising is confusing. Yet it continues unchanged.We as a group are trying to educate and inform the public because we feel it is a public safety issue. The public is certainly entitled to making their own informed decisions regarding their healthcare. As professionals, we are obligated lawfully, ethically, and morally to provide this information and education prior to performing any services for a patient. This includes the health care provider informing the patient that the proposed procedure is often referred to, and performed by, a specialist. It is then incumbent upon the patient to decide if they are comfortable with their provider, or would prefer to be seen by someone with specialized training.
We are absolutely not trying to restrict practice. There are many, many general dentists who do excellent specialty work and have great results. That is fantastic. There are many who do excellent specialty work that have an occasional complication, as would be expected. Our contention is that, as provided by law, the public – the patient, should be advised and informed that they have options for specialty care, if they desire.
That is all we ask.
Many of my colleagues, myself included, have seen patients with complications from Dr. Hendrickson and other practices that insist that their doctor was/is a specialist, when in fact they are not.
One might say that the burden is on the patient to ask questions and inform themselves, however the courts and the law say otherwise. The individual providing the service is obligated to inform their patient in clear terms – both within the confines of their offices as well as without, regarding the services provided, and by whom they will be provided.
I’ve included below the portions of the Utah Dental Practice Act and the Utah Consumer Sales Practice Act – both elucidating the standard to which our profession is held regarding advertising and deceptive practices.
Our group is simply asking that everyone in our profession who is not abiding the standards as set forth in the State regulation, do so. Bring your practice into basic compliance with State law. Plain and simple.
After that, do what you’d like within your practice. But, uphold your legal and ethical obligation to inform the public-your patients, that they have options when it comes to specialty care being provided either by a generalist or a specialist.
Utah Dental Practice Act – May 8, 2012
58-69-502. Unprofessional conduct.
(1) “Unprofessional conduct” includes,
(b) making an unsubstantiated claim of superiority in training or skill as a dentist or dental hygienist or in the performance of professional
services;
(2) For purposes of Subsection (1)(b), an unsubstantiated claim of superiority:
(a) includes for the practice of dentistry:
(i) advertising or otherwise holding oneself out to the public as practicing a dental specialty in which the dentist has not
successfully completed the education specified for the dental specialty as defined by the American Dental Association; and
(ii) using the following words in advertising “Endodontist,” “Orthodontist,” “Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon,” “Specialist,”
“Board Certified,” “Diplomat,” “Practice Limited to,” “pediatric dentist,” “periodontist,” or “Limited to Specialty of” when the
dentist has not successfully completed the education specified for the dental specialty as defined by the American Dental
Association; and
(b) does not include a dentist who advertises as being qualified in arecognized specialty area of dental practice so long as each such
advertisement, regardless of form, contains a prominent disclaimer that the dentist is licensed as a general dentist or that the specialty
services will be provided by a general dentist.
Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act Section Deceptive act or practice by supplier. 13-11-4. Deceptive act or practice by supplier.
(1) A deceptive act or practice by a supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this chapter whether it occurs before, during, or after the transaction.
(2) Without limiting the scope of Subsection (1), a supplier commits a deceptive act or practice if the supplier knowingly or intentionally:
(a) indicates that the subject of a consumer transaction has sponsorship, approval, performance characteristics, accessories, uses, or benefits, if it has not;
(b) indicates that the subject of a consumer transaction is of a particular standard, quality, grade, style, or model, if it is not;
(e) indicates that the subject of a consumer transaction has been supplied in accordance with a previous representation, if it has not
Flap:
Have you brought or filed your complaints about Dr. Hendrickson’s websites to the Utah Dental Board or the Utah Department of Public Licensing (DOPL)?
If so, when?
Have you had any response from them?
Viehweg:
In April of this year, a contingent of oral and maxillofacial surgeons from across the state made a formal presentation to the Utah Dental Board regarding advertising. The response was that DOPL is too understaffed to enforce the regulations.
I, personally, have not filed a formal complaint with DOPL or the Board, but I have submitted several specimens of advertisements that are in clear violation of the regulations that I included previously, with no response from DOPL. Several of our colleagues have made multiple complaints and have essentially been told that nothing would be done because of the lack of resources.
The regulations are there in name only, unfortunately, with no enforcement.
Flap:
Are you referring to the June DOPL meeting where Dr. Jason Chandler made a presentation representing the UAOMS?
Or, was there another presentation?
Why have you not filed a formal complaint with the Utah DOPL?
Viehweg:
Correct, it was the June DOPL meeting.
With little reassurance that my complaint would be reviewed and evaluated appropriately, I haven’t filed a formal complaint outside of my aforementioned appropriation of samples of various advertisments.
Flap:
Where you aware that there was discussion at the March 2012 Utah DOPL meeting about the AADB advertising guidelines/regulations and that it was suggested by the Bureau Manager, Ms. Taxin, that the Dental Board might seek either a rule change or a change in the state law itself?
Have you ever expressed your concerns directly to Dr. Hendrickson – either by letter, in person or by telephone?
Viehweg:
I wasn’t aware of that DOPL meeting in March. I’m unclear as to how a rule change is needed, given the rules are already set forth.
I have had limited correspondence with Dr. Hendrickson. It has primarily been regarding the treatment of his patient(s) in my office, with little exchange over the appropriate nature of his or anyone else’s marketing practices.
Given the history of the multiple times DOPL and Dr. Hendrickson have been contacted directly with formal complaints, with no material changes in either enforcement on the part of DOPL or compliance on the part of Dr. Hendrickson, speaks to the likelihood that little would change by following the same course.
How many times would you bother to call the fire department before you would start spraying water on your neighbor’s burning house because there were no firetrucks and firemen there?
The interview continues and we will discuss patient care and patients of Dr. Hendrickson that Dr. Viehweg has seen for post-operative care.
I am waiting for Dr. Hendrickson to either write a response to Dr. Nicholls’ interview posts from last week or to consent to telephone interview. However, it is my understanding that Dr. Hendrickson’s wife will today or soon deliver twins.
We, all, wish them congratulations.
Stay tuned….
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Day By Day October 22, 2012 – Try Hard
Interesting, isn’t it that on the eve of the third and last Presidential debate there is a “leaked” report or an October Surprise about Iran?
The New York Times reports (and the White House denies) that “The United States and Iran have agreed for the first time to one-on-one negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, according to Obama administration officials, setting the stage for what could be a last-ditch diplomatic effort to avert a military strike on Iran.”
Two of the three assertions in that lead paragraph are demonstrably false. One-on-one negotiations have been going on for years (most recently, according to my friend “Reza Kahlili,” in Doha, where, he was told, Valerie Jarrett and other American officials recently traveled for the latest talks). The only news here is that the talks would no longer be secret. And the notion that only diplomacy can avert “a military strike on Iran” is fanciful. There are at least two other ways: sanctions may compel the regime to stop its nuclear weapons program, or the Iranian people may find a way to overthrow the regime, thereby (perhaps, at least) rendering military action unnecessary.
I rather suspect that you don’t have to do anything to avoid an American military strike on Iran. I can’t imagine an Obama administration authorizing a military attack. An administration that can barely bring itself to fly air cover in Libya, and can’t bring itself to take any serious action in Syria, strikes me as very unlikely to unleash our armed forces against the mullahs.
Even as the debate approaches, remember you can fool some of the people ONLY some of the time.
Anyone want to bet how many times Obama spikes the football regarding the demise of Osama bin Laden tonight?
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The Morning Flap: October 22, 2012
President Obama and Governor Romney campaign prior to tonight’s debate
These are my links for October 19th through October 22nd:
- Third Obama-Romney debate sets stage for final campaign push– resident Obama and Mitt Romney face each other on-stage for the last time on Monday evening, when they meet at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., for their third televised debate.The importance of the occasion cannot be overstated. With the presidential race balanced on a knife-edge, this will be the last big set-piece of the campaign.A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released Sunday showed the race tied, Obama and Romney each claiming the support of 47 percent of likely voters.Never again will either man have the chance to reach an audience anywhere close to the likely viewership of around 60 million people. A particularly strong performance, or even a single memorable gaffe, could decide the outcome on Election Day.
- Nevada needs a change now; elect Mitt Romney president | Reno Gazette-Journal– The Gazette-Journal recommends a vote for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president of the United States.It wasn’t an easy decision. A recommendation against an incumbent can’t be taken lightly.President Barack Obama inherited a ghastly mess when he took office in January 2009. He demonstrated a clear understanding in his inaugural address, when he stated, “That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened …”Nevada was the state hit hardest by the great recession, and four years later, the state continues to lag well behind the others as the U.S. economy shows signs of slow improvement. Its unemployment rate remains worst in the nation; the foreclosure rate, while no longer No. 1, is still among the worst; and the tourism industry continues to struggle. And because of that, public services have been decimated and our schools, in particular, are failing to meet the needs of a state determined to diversify its economy.
- Monday’s Debate Puts Focus on Foreign Policy Clashes – NYTimes.com – Monday’s Debate Puts Focus on Foreign Policy Clashes #tcot
- Presidential debate 2012: Obama desperate to turn around ailing campaign as Mitt Romney rockets in polls – President Barack Obama has a final chance in Florida tonight night to halt Mitt Romney’s late surge and stave off a re-election defeat after plummeting in the polls after his disastrous first debate performance. Obama leads by a wafer-thin 0.2 per cent nationally in the RealClearPolitics poll of averages. But he is down seven in the Gallup tracking poll, down two in the Rasmussen poll and has seen his leads in Florida and Virginia disappear and his Ohio advantage whittled down to almost nothing
- Anatomy of a failed foreign policy– As he runs for re-election, President Obama has tried to portray his foreign policy as a success. A closer look suggests a different picture.Let us begin with a list of areas where US foreign policy has either stalled or suffered setbacks.Encouraged by a perceived weakness on the part of the Obama administration, Russia has cast itself as an adversary, adopting an aggressive profile in regions of vital US interest. A clear signal in Moscow’s change of attitude has come with the installation of S400 missiles close to the Caspian Basin and of long-range missiles in Kaliningrad, the Russian enclave next to Poland.For its part, China has sped up its military buildup and flexed its muscles against Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam. Beijing has also accelerated the building of a blue-water navy to challenge the US in the Pacific and Indian oceans. And, by undervaluing its currency, China has continued what amounts to low-intensity economic warfare.Efforts on North Korea have faded away, as Pyongyang pursues its quest for a nuclear arsenal with impunity.
Iran? The facts speak for themselves. On Obama’s watch, Iran has increased its uranium-enrichment capabilities more than tenfold and hardened its defiant rhetoric. The mullahs are also pursuing an aggressive policy in Syria, while doing as much mischief as they can in Bahrain.
US relations with Israel, America’s closest ally in the Middle East, are at low ebb with Obama’s decision to snub the Israeli prime minister during the latter’s visit to New York.
- Monday’s Debate Puts Focus on Foreign Policy Clashes– When President Obama and Mitt Romney sit down Monday night for the last of their three debates, two things should be immediately evident: there should be no pacing the stage or candidates’ getting into each other’s space, and there should be no veering into arguments over taxes.This debate is about how America deals with the world — and how it should.If the moderator, Bob Schieffer of CBS News, has his way, it will be the most substantive of the debates. He has outlined several topics: America’s role in the world, the continuing war in Afghanistan, managing the nuclear crisis with Iran and the resultant tensions with Israel, and how to deal with rise of China.The most time, Mr. Schieffer has said, will be spent on the Arab uprisings, their aftermath and how the terrorist threat has changed since the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. No doubt the two candidates will spar again, as they did in the second debate, about whether the Obama administration was ready for the attack in Benghazi, Libya, that killed J. Christopher Stevens, the American ambassador, and three other Americans. Mr. Romney was widely judged to not have had his most effective critique ready, and this time, presumably, he will be out to correct that.
- Obama Campaign Borrows $15M from Bank of America– Obama For America took out a $15 million loan from Bank of America lastmonth, according to the campaign’s October monthly FEC report. The loan was incurred on September 4 and is due November 14, eight days after the election. OFA received an interest rate of 2.5% plus the currentWarren Buffett, Obama donor and namesake of the infamous “Buffett Rule,” invested $5 billion in Bank of America last year in an effort to help the ailing financial institution. Last month, two weeks after OFA took out the loan, Bank of America announced a plan that would lay off 16,000 workers by the end of theObama has a complicated relationship with Bank of America. The bank contributed $20 million toward the cost of the Democrat National Convention earlier this year. Bank of America stadium, home to the Carolina Panthers, was supposed to host Obama’s acceptance speech. At the last moment, the campaign switched to a significantly smaller venue. The campaign claimed that an impending storm would not allow the President to deliver his address. Many questioned whether move was made because the campaign was having trouble filling such a large stadium.
- First Weekend Of Early Voting Favors Obama In Battleground Nevada – NationalJournal.com – RT @nationaljournal First weekend of early voting favors Obama in Nevada #tcot
- Obama vs. Romney: How they plan to win– It’s momentum vs. the map.With a little more than two weeks left until judgment day, Barack Obama’s campaign is embracing a fundamentally defensive strategy centered on winning Ohio at all costs — while unleashing a new barrage of blistering attacks against Mitt Romney aimed at mobilizing a less-than-fired-up Democratic base.A surging Romney is suddenly playing offense all over the map, and the upward movement since the Denver debate gives him the luxury of striking what his advisers — and more than a few Democrats — think is a more positive, presidential, “Morning in America” tone.In contrast to the grind-it-out Obama strategy, Romneyland’s working theory is that the momentum shift since Denver is a late-breaking, decisive wave that gives them the chance to not just win but win big.But if Obama is currently on the ugly end of Big Mo, Romney finds himself hobbled by previous mistakes, namely a failure to develop competitive ground operations — or even a baseline of competitive advertising — in potential battlegrounds such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, which are becoming more competitive.
- Josh Kraushaar’s post on Capitol Hill Insiders | Latest updates on Sulia – RT @HotlineJosh Mitt’s momentum: Romney leads Obama, 49 to 47 % in Politico/GWU poll. Leads 50-48 in 10 swing states.
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-21 – Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-21
- Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-21 – Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-21 #tcot
- My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-21 – Locum Tenens (Temporary) Dentist – Gregory Cole, D.D.S. – My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-21
- Day By Day October 21, 2012 – Storybook Endings – Flap’s Blog – Day By Day October 21, 2012 – Storybook Endings #tcot
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-20 – Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-20
- Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-20 – Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-20 #tcot
- My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-20 – Locum Tenens (Temporary) Dentist – Gregory Cole, D.D.S. – My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-20
- Day By Day October 20, 2012 – Pussies – Flap’s Blog – Day By Day October 20, 2012 – Pussies #tcot
- Trooth.Com Sends Picketers to Protest Outside the Office of Dr. Wisdom Teeth – Flap’s Blog – Sends Picketers to Protest Outside the Office of Dr. Wisdom Teeth #tcot
- Gregory Flap @ Ronnie’s Diner – 9 miles finished with the Los Angeles Roadrunners – – now Ronnie’s! (@ Ronnie’s Diner) [pic]:
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-19 – Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-19
- Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-19 – Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-19 #tcot
- My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-19 – Locum Tenens (Temporary) Dentist – Gregory Cole, D.D.S. – My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-19
- LAPD Probing into Twelve Unsolved Murders Linked to the Charles Manson Family – Flap’s Blog – LAPD Probing into Twelve Unsolved Murders Linked to the Charles Manson Family #tcot
- RealClearPolitics – Opinion, News, Analysis, Videos and Polls – Obama retakes the lead in the RCP average 47.1% Vs. Romney 47.0%. Can it get any closer? #tcot
- New Hampshire – 2012 President – Obama 48%, Romney 49% (Public Policy Polling 10/17-10/19) – RT @pollsterpolls: New Hampshire – 2012 President – Obama 48%, Romney 49% (Public Policy Polling 10/17-10/19)
- Iowa – 2012 President – Obama 48%, Romney 49% (PPP 10/17-10/19) – RT @pollsterpolls: Iowa – 2012 President – Obama 48%, Romney 49% (PPP 10/17-10/19)
- San Bernardino stops payments to CalPERS, owes pension fund $5.3 million– The city of San Bernardino has stopped making its required payments to CalPERS since filing for bankruptcy and owes the big pension fund $5.3 million, CalPERS said today.San Bernardino’s missed payments creates a bizarre new twist in the unfolding political and financial drama over cities’ pension obligations. It raises significant questions about whether cities can use their financial problems to justify getting out of their obligations to the powerful pension fund.CalPERS spokesman Brad Pacheco said the pension fund has been talking to the city about the missed payments. “If we can’t resolve the missed payments…CalPERS will assert its rights and remedies available under the law,” he said. Ultimately, the San Bernardino pension program could be terminated, and the dollars contributed by the city to CalPERS over the years would be put into a special fund. No more money would be contributed, and the pension program for city workers would depend entirely on how that remaining pool of money is invested.Pacheco said that, because of grace periods, the city’s delinquency totals $1.2 million.
- Aspen Dental Sued for Unlawful Corporate Practice – Flap’s Blog – Aspen Dental Sued for Unlawful Corporate Practice #tcot
- Breaking: Trooth.Com Sends Protesters to Picket Outside Dr. Wisdom Teeth – Breaking: Sends Protesters to Picket Outside Dr. Wisdom Teeth
- The Morning Flap: October 19, 2012 – Flap’s Blog – The Morning Flap: October 19, 2012 #tcot
- Trooth.Com – The David Nicholls DDS Interview Part Four – Flap’s Blog – – The David Nicholls DDS Interview Part Four #tcot
- ‘Hating Breitbart’ to open this weekend (Sneak Peek) | Washington Times Communities – ‘Hating Breitbart’ to open this weekend #tcot
- Day By Day October 19, 2012 – Smackdown – Flap’s Blog – Day By Day October 19, 2012 – Smackdown #tcot
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Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-21
- My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-21 – Locum Tenens (Temporary) Dentist – Gregory Cole, D.D.S. http://t.co/l8ibcvdZ #tcot 23:27:37, 2012-10-21
- My Daily Twitter Digest for 2012-10-21 http://t.co/CkSSSY1h 22:09:24, 2012-10-21
- Day By Day October 21, 2012 – Storybook Endings – Flap's Blog http://t.co/aazpuOlz #tcot 16:37:20, 2012-10-21
- Go Jets and Go Raiders! http://t.co/0mTPfpf0 #GetGlue #NFLRedZone 15:41:13, 2012-10-21
- Day By Day October 21, 2012 – Storybook Endings http://t.co/c869ac03 #tcot 15:21:02, 2012-10-21
- Flap's California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-20 – Flap's California Blog http://t.co/D30wwTON #tcot 06:13:10, 2012-10-21
- Flap's Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-20 – Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog http://t.co/EXLADu3N #tcot 04:08:29, 2012-10-21
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Digest for 2012-10-20 http://t.co/z6VLeWzP 04:03:30, 2012-10-21
- Flap’s Blog @ Flap Twitter Daily Digest for 2012-10-20 http://t.co/Zicwe1I5 #tcot 03:02:32, 2012-10-21
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Day By Day October 21, 2012 – Storybook Endings
Chris, if you consider the Gallup Presidential tracking poll as an authority, then it looks like the Obama Storybook run is going to end in a few weeks.
And, it is about time.
Can America really withstand another four years of Hope and Change redistribution?