Over 20 patients left in lurch by suspended practitioners: 'Nowhere near finished'
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Dental care is essential to overall health, particularly as we age. A healthy smile is about more than looks; it affects comfort, confidence, and the enjoyment of daily activities.
Recent news from Western Australia has raised concerns for many, with several patients experiencing incomplete dental care.
Their experiences serve as a reminder for those seeking medical or dental treatment.
The ABC has reported a distressing situation in which patients have been left in limbo after two dentists had their licenses suspended.
These individuals, some of whom dipped into their superannuation to pay for their dental implants, are now thousands of dollars out of pocket and still without the full dental work they were promised.
The ordeal began with Lynette Smoje, who paid a hefty $33,000 to replace her teeth with implants.
She's still waiting for her implants two years and two dentists later.
Both dentists she consulted had their licenses suspended while facing criminal charges.
Since Lynette's story came to light, six more patients have come forward, confirming that they, too, are in similar predicaments.
One such patient, Paul Kelly, a fly-in-fly-out mine worker, paid $50,000 for a complete set of implants.
Eighteen months later, his procedure is nowhere near completion, and his temporary dentures are decaying.
His mental health has taken a toll, and he's facing the prospect of starting over with another dentist, which would cost an additional $38,000 and involve more surgeries.
Another patient, Dave Travell, learned of his dentist's suspension through an ABC article.
He's now left with an ill-fitting top plate and missing teeth, relying on glue to keep his dentures in place and restricted to a diet of soft foods.
Both dentists, Dr Rouvin Mahadeva and Dr Peter Terzi, encouraged patients like Mr Travell and Mr Kelly to access their superannuation through SuperCare to pay for the procedures.
This left them with unfinished dental work and significant tax implications, as the super release bumped them into a higher tax bracket.
He has attempted to apply for conditional registration to complete his patients' treatments but was denied by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
'I had to get teeth removed and then he had to drill into my jawbones and insert these implants and then you just go through months and months of healing,' Paul Kelly, one of the patients undergoing a treatment said.
'At the first appointment, he said it should take six to 12 months to complete.'
'So far it's been over 18 months and nowhere near finished.'
AHPRA maintains that public safety is its priority, and immediate suspension is necessary when a practitioner is charged with a serious criminal offense.
While the situation is dire for many, there is a glimmer of hope for Lynette Smoje, who has been offered help by a clinic in Kalgoorlie to complete her implants for free.
This act of kindness has restored her faith in humanity and highlights the importance of community support in times of need.
This unfortunate series of events reminds us to research our healthcare providers thoroughly and understand the risks involved with treatments, especially when they require a significant financial investment.
It also underscores the need for regulatory bodies to consider the ramifications of their actions on patients, particularly those in remote areas with limited access to services.
For our members who may be considering dental work or any medical procedure, it's essential to have a backup plan and to know your rights regarding refunds and compensation.
Always keep records of your treatments, payments, and communications with healthcare providers.
If you find yourself in a situation like the patients affected by the suspended WA dentists, don't hesitate to seek legal advice and contact consumer protection agencies.
Have you ever had problems with dental care, and how did you deal with them? How do you make sure your healthcare providers are trustworthy before getting treatment? Let us know in the comments below.
Recent news from Western Australia has raised concerns for many, with several patients experiencing incomplete dental care.
Their experiences serve as a reminder for those seeking medical or dental treatment.
The ABC has reported a distressing situation in which patients have been left in limbo after two dentists had their licenses suspended.
These individuals, some of whom dipped into their superannuation to pay for their dental implants, are now thousands of dollars out of pocket and still without the full dental work they were promised.
The ordeal began with Lynette Smoje, who paid a hefty $33,000 to replace her teeth with implants.
Over 20 patients in Western Australia were left with incomplete dental care and out of pocket after two practitioners had their licenses suspended. Credit: ponsulak / TikTok
She's still waiting for her implants two years and two dentists later.
Both dentists she consulted had their licenses suspended while facing criminal charges.
Since Lynette's story came to light, six more patients have come forward, confirming that they, too, are in similar predicaments.
One such patient, Paul Kelly, a fly-in-fly-out mine worker, paid $50,000 for a complete set of implants.
Eighteen months later, his procedure is nowhere near completion, and his temporary dentures are decaying.
His mental health has taken a toll, and he's facing the prospect of starting over with another dentist, which would cost an additional $38,000 and involve more surgeries.
Another patient, Dave Travell, learned of his dentist's suspension through an ABC article.
He's now left with an ill-fitting top plate and missing teeth, relying on glue to keep his dentures in place and restricted to a diet of soft foods.
Both dentists, Dr Rouvin Mahadeva and Dr Peter Terzi, encouraged patients like Mr Travell and Mr Kelly to access their superannuation through SuperCare to pay for the procedures.
This left them with unfinished dental work and significant tax implications, as the super release bumped them into a higher tax bracket.
Dr Mahadeva has acknowledged the impact of his suspension on over 20 patients, many of whom are in remote regions, making it even more challenging to seek alternative care. He has attempted to apply for conditional registration to complete his patients' treatments but was denied by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
'I had to get teeth removed and then he had to drill into my jawbones and insert these implants and then you just go through months and months of healing,' Paul Kelly, one of the patients undergoing a treatment said.
'At the first appointment, he said it should take six to 12 months to complete.'
'So far it's been over 18 months and nowhere near finished.'
While the situation is dire for many, there is a glimmer of hope for Lynette Smoje, who has been offered help by a clinic in Kalgoorlie to complete her implants for free.
This act of kindness has restored her faith in humanity and highlights the importance of community support in times of need.
This unfortunate series of events reminds us to research our healthcare providers thoroughly and understand the risks involved with treatments, especially when they require a significant financial investment.
It also underscores the need for regulatory bodies to consider the ramifications of their actions on patients, particularly those in remote areas with limited access to services.
Always keep records of your treatments, payments, and communications with healthcare providers.
If you find yourself in a situation like the patients affected by the suspended WA dentists, don't hesitate to seek legal advice and contact consumer protection agencies.
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