Becker's Dental + DSO Review

7 BECKER'S DENTAL + DSO REVIEW // VOL. 2022 NO. 2 DENTAL PROFESSIONALS Chicago dental practice files defamation lawsuit against Humana By Ariana Portalatin A Chicago dentist and his practice filed a defamation lawsuit Feb. 4 against insurance company Humana. The lawsuit was filed by James Orrington II, DDS, of Chatham Dental Care in Chicago. According to the lawsuit, Chatham Dental Care was formerly in network with Humana and included on the insurer's list of approved practices. In 2019, Humana allegedly denied coverage of treatment performed on a patient unless a more invasive procedure was performed. Dr. Orrington allegedly told Humana such recommendations by a third-party insurer were improper but agreed to perform the procedure because of the insurer's fi- nancial leverage. Humana allegedly called Dr. Orrington and criticized his prac- tice's scaling and root planning procedures. Dr. Orrington said the number of those procedures performed was necessary be- cause his patients lived in an area where a lack of food options affected their dental health. Humana allegedly later notified Dr. Orrington that his practice was removed from the insurer's list without cause. In 2020, Hu- mana allegedly filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation regarding practices at the dental clinic. The insurer then allegedly denied Dr. Or- rington a copy of the complaint. A hearing before the regu- latory organization was held in June 2021 and no further ac- tion was taken. Dr. Orrington claims Humana's actions led to his practice be- ing dropped by his professional liability carrier, higher premi- ums for its replacement insurance coverage and forcing it to retain counsel as a result of the IDPFR complaint. The lawsuit claims Humana's actions were motivated by its desire to cause financial and reputational injury to the practice. Becker's has contacted Humana for comment and will update this story as more information becomes available. n For dental practice survival, leaders should take these 3 steps: Forbes By Gabrielle Masson T he dental industry must take an active role in combating the staffing shortage and make long-term investments that will shape the size and quality of the labor pool, Forbes reported Feb. 15. Here are three steps dental industry leaders should take to address the staffing crisis: 1. Recognize the specialized and highly technical work done by profession- als in the industry who aren't necessarily dental experts, such as those with revenue cycle management experience. Formalize dental practice adminis- trative functions and recognize those roles as professions unto themselves to shape more direct and effective recruitment measures. 2. Pioneer professional development opportunities in areas that are lacking. Education is increasingly critical as technology advances, and a practice's survival and profitability depend on keeping pace. 3. Ask experienced professionals to teach best practices and update skills. Areas that lack formal training present an opportunity to culti- vate new talent. "It's not enough to wait for trade organizations or educational institutions to take the lead," according to Forbes. "Members of the industry need to step forward and initiate proactive steps." n Private equity in dentistry: 4 updates By Ariana Portalatin F our transactions involving private eq- uity companies have taken place in the dental industry so far in 2021. Four details: 1. Dental electronic data interchange com- pany DentalXChange received a strategic investment from Bregal Sagemount, a private equity firm. 2. Private equity firm Shore Capital Part- ners founded OMS360, an oral surgeon support organization. 3. An affiliate of private equity firm Beek- man Investment Partners IV acquired P&R Dental Strategies. 4. Georgetown, Texas-based Smile Doc- tors gained an investment from private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners. n

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