Dear WSDA Members,

I want to share with you an important story that aired last night on KIRO 7 in Seattle. It exemplifies the concerns the WSDA has had with the practice of corporate dentistry, and why we continue to champion efforts to protect the doctor-patient relationship in every practice model that dentists choose.  

The KIRO story focuses on a courageous whistleblower, a former office manager for a clinic operated by Lone Peak Management Group, LLC, who recently reported an alleged corporate scheme designed to wring out minor cost savings at the expense of patient safety. WSDA has supported this whistleblower complaint because we immediately recognized that this practice's alleged scheme exposes children—a high percentage of whom come from low-income, Medicaid-eligible families—to serious risk of infection and other complications.

We are pleased to report DQAC is investigating Lone Peak for this and several other open complaints. This is the first of what we hope will be additional media coverage on this topic. Additional complaints, including one filed by WSDA, have been filed and additional information is forthcoming. 

Watch the KIRO 7 story here and read my latest column about the WSDA’s commitment to supporting member dentists and their patients.

Sincerely,