• Public Citizen's press release.
• Article on Law.com,
• Dentists' withdrawal filing and the filings of my attorneys, Mr. Paul Levy of Public Citizen, and Mr. James Green, ACLU )
• Wall Street Journal Article "As Angry Patients Vent Online, Doctors Sue to Silence Them"
  

"Fraud is the intentional perversion of truth or a false misrepresentation of a matter of fact" which induces another person to " part with some valuable thing belonging to him or her or to surrender a legal right."

"Were you truly deceived by the misrepresentations given by a person and that you relied on the statements to your detriment (suffered harm)."

• Bad dentistry is performed on patients regularly but unfortunately few patients / victims are willing to talk about it. They are "too embarrassed".
• An honest dentist gives priority to good patient care, conservative treatment and presents all treatment options in order to ensure that a patient makes an "informed decision".
• Treatment options, both pros and cons, should be addressed with a patient in a manner that they understand.
• It is very difficult for a "lay person" to determine if a dentist is over-treating.
• Patients tend to feel "powerless and vulnerable" when being presented with "potential" problems with their teeth.
• Dentists are required to disclose all material information in order to obtain a patient's consent for treatment please refer to Informed Consent .
• There are websites offering courses to Dentists and their staff to teach them how to sell and negotiate their "services" to patients.
  
  Note: In my opinion, Dr. Tolley and Dr Blake must have been graduates of these courses - their "sales pitch / professional advice" made me feel that  by missing 1 tooth that there was something seriously wrong with me and that I would have future jaw problems. This was not in my best interest to treat - it was in the dentist's best interest to generate fees.
• It is your legal and ethical right to be in control of what is done to your body, including your teeth.

1. Take a look at the dentist's teeth. Are they crooked, crowded, chipped, etc.
FYI - Dr. Blake's teeth are not “too pretty - they are extremely crowded." Maybe I should have paid more attention to this.

2. No matter what type of specialty dentist you are treating with, I believe it is in your best interest to have a general dentist that will be responsible for your overall dental treatments (cleanings and fillings).

3. Referrals to specialties should come from dental assistants and not the dentists.

4. Any treatment plans involving restoration should be given to you in writing, not just the cost and payment plan. I would insist to see the specific details of the treatment (drawings and measurements). I would review the models of your teeth with the dentist and make sure you understand all the pro's and con's for the proposed treatment. Ask yourself does the treatment pros out weigh the risks?

5. Listen to your guts / instincts!

FYI - I knew when Dr. Kaplan's office called to schedule the uncovering of the front implant and place the abutments that there was a problem with the back implant. In fact, a few weeks after implant surgery I called and told them that the back implant / surgical site was uncovered, Dr. Kaplan did not even call me in to look at it, inadequate follow up care.

This is why I insisted that Dr. Blake x-ray these implants so I could see for myself that complete integration into bone had occurred. The inside of the back implant does not have bone growth. My instincts were right, I should have sought a second opinion with a Periodontist when the back implant / surgical site opened up.

I was missing 1 lower molar. This tooth never developed /grew in and you could not see the space nor was I in pain. I never asked a dentist to "fix this space for me". I was induced by the dentists to fix this space.

I was 33 years old and I listened to and trusted Dr. Tolley (a general dentist) and Dr. Blake (Proshtodontist) and allowed them to to perform dental procedures that should not have been done. These two dentists convinced me that I would have "future jaw problems if I did not replace this tooth" that had never developed.

I did not give "informed consent" with the information they provided and the dental work was "not medically necessary vs. the risk involved". These dentists were not truthful in disclosing the risks of their proposed dental treatments.

Dr. Blake did not want to give me my records and none of the dentists involved in my dental care would answer my questions to date. I sent another letter by Certified Mail on August 4, 2004, to Dr. Blake (view under Dentist's name) more than 30 days after the first letter. I informed Dr. Blake that I would bring a reporter to their office if they did not turn over my dental records. Someone from his office called the next day and said "you will not be allowed on the property and we are not required to turn over your records in a specific time without a subpoena". In my opinion, there was nothing honest or ethical about this dental office, Palm Beach Prosthodontics, and I assured them that I would be paying them a visit and I would not be alone.

I swore I would not have more surgeries and I am very afraid of losing sensation in my lower left jaw area.

• Bone loss
• Periodontal problems (irritation of gum tissue)
• Wear and tear on natural teeth
• Possible speech problems
• Will need adjustments regularly
• Comfort tends to be an issue