REPORT FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL– Joseph Perrino, DDS, formerly of Honolulu, will pay $35,700 in restitution and fines, and will perform 500 hours of community service for making false claims to the State Medicaid program and Hawaii Dental Service (HDS). The Honorable Richard K. Perkins, Judge First Circuit Court, sentenced Perrino this morning. Judge Perkins rejected Perrino’s request to defer his plea and have his record expunged. Instead, Judge Perkins found Perrino guilty and imposed the sentence.
Perrino owned and operated a clinic in Waianae for fifteen years. He sold the practice in January of 2011 after learning of the investigation into his fraudulent activities. The fraud and theft charges stemmed from a scheme by Perrino whereby he submitted claims for dental restorations but either failed to perform those restorations, or actually provided a service far less involved and less costly than a restoration. Restorations are essentially fillings where amalgam or resin is used to restore the function, integrity, and morphology of missing tooth structure such as that which results from a cavity or other dental condition.
Perrino’s fraudulent claims were discovered during a routine review by the MedQuest Division of the Department of Human Services and a subsequent peer review by HDS who had independent dentists review Perrino’s claims. HDS will receive $2,500 for the fraudulent claims Perrino submitted to it. Perrino can no longer participate in Medicaid and with HDS.
Under the agreement with the State, Perrino is to pay his fine ($10,000), and restitution ($25,700) by the close of Court business today. His community service is to commence immediately.
Attorney General David M. Louie said “I am very pleased with Judge Perkins’ ruling and the sentence that was imposed. This case demonstrates that the state will aggressively investigate and prosecute any individual committing fraud.”
Such a waste with a blink of an eye he lost his career and profession if he only stick to the proper procedure none of these will happen.
Really good work David! I am also very much pleased to see this judgement because this sort of judgement will learn people that no illegal activities will not allow in this society and also people will be aware of this as well. Thanks
This is totally illegal and I never support in such activities. As a doctor I believe we have no right to play with peoples life. We have responsibility to serve them as much as we can. I hope from now everyone will be alert about this and will try to take get sound services from others. Thanks
Just got home from a dentist appointment at Vineland with my seven-year-old son. Five of his baby teeth are crowding the rest of his teeth and need to be extracted very soon, but he's extremely anxious at the dentist, and they've recommended putting him completely under using IV sedation. Is it worth doing? Are there any risks I should know about?
Behind a beautiful bright smile there usually is a great dentist like rector that keeps the actors' teeth in perfect condition. I am also an actor and I take care of my teeth almost obsessively because I know it's your smile that makes the first impression.
Do you want to keep going to this dentist? I wouldn't. Everyone makes mistakes, but this one is pretty significant. You need to be able to trust your dentist. https://www.dentalways.com/ , Check it out, I found the dentist i trust on this site.
I did volunteer paper-to-computer data entry for a free clinic here a few years ago; however, it was a Windows-based system. I did some Googling and ran across the GNUmed Project. I gues it could meet your clinic's needs.
As a lawyer, I've had many clients that were working as doctors and were accused of medical fraud. Actually one of my friends who works at the Ronald law office has recently had such a case and he told me that it was very difficult to negotiate the punishment as the jury is impartial and harsh when it comes to a fraud case.
It is true that there are doctors who commit fraud and this has a strong impact on people as they expect to be treated by someone honest, dedicated to patients. Sometimes we tend to generalize by affirming that all the doctors are the same but this is not true. My grandmother lives at the Buena Vida retirement center and there are some professional doctors who practice their job with passion and dedication.
I take my children to Bayou City Smiles and I am so happy with their services. If they managed to make my kids let go of dentist fear, I am sure they can manage to do this with all the kids in this town. Because mine were so afraid of dentists.
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