Pediatric dentist accused of torture, abuse, fraud

Sometimes I read a story that grieves and sickens me to the core of my being. This story is one of those. Please note: This man has NOT been found guilty of the crimes he has been accused of at present. WARNING: Video not for the squeamish...

For those unable to view the video, it details victims(all children) who have allegedly suffered at the hands of Dr. Schneider. Excessive, sadistic, and unnecessary procedures performed on children for decades have been alleged, as well as Medicaid Fraud. The USAToday story goes into more of the details...

A Jacksonville pediatric dentist under investigation by the state of Florida is now the target of a class-action lawsuit alleging his practice is a front for a "sadistic and systematic scheme of physical and psychological torture and abuse" of "utterly defenseless" children.

In a lawsuit filed this week in the 4th Judicial Circuit Court in Duval County, Fla., four plaintiffs accuse Dr. Howard Schneider of assault, battery, false imprisonment and intentionally inflicting "severe emotional distress" spanning decades from his office.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday follows days of protests outside Schneider's office and a wave of complaints from parents alleging he physically abused their children, botched their dental work, and stonewalled parents and investigators when his methods were questioned.

It also comes just days after the Florida Attorney General's Office confirmed Schneider's practice was under active investigation for alleged Medicaid fraud.

Link

What can I say to this? In a world of persistent violence and endless war that often seem distant from us. We are again reminded that soulless monsters can exist in our own neighborhood, inflicting irrevocable damage on those most vulnerable in our society. IF this man is truly guilty of the accusations leveled against him...well...I can't verbalize what I'm imagining.

This makes me sick. What is wrong with people today? I hope the put him in jail for assault and throw away the key. Of course it will be child abuse, so he should enjoy his time in jail....

Wasn't there another dentist about 2-3 years ago that was arrested and charged with the exact same thing? I will search and see if I can find it.

a reply to: Klassified

I wouldn't go as far to say it's common but I am sure for some it's a make work ,make bucks project and they love a returning client .Thinking back on my experience I am stunned I would pay money for the torture my dentist put me through . Telling my experience to other dentist they said they couldn't believe it . Poor kids .. A few years behind bars and assets liquidated and banned from practice seems appropriate .

Link to Small Smiles fraud article

Small Smiles dental chain was who I was thinking of. Here is a link to a 2010 article. I see where the company reached a settlement but can't find anything about charges. This was found because of a whistle blower from inside the company.

a reply to: Klassified

Funny how he wasn't charged and that no police report was written. I think that somebody is getting paid off.

a reply to: Martin75

One in Indiana was doing the same stuff as in the OP. They were strapping kids down and hurting them. I had to clean the place. I saw the restraints and it sickened me that the place was open.

a reply to: Skid Mark

I don't understand why they are not charging them! This is child abuse! This is a sick group of people (and I am including the whole office) that could do this to someone, let alone children, for money.

I say we pull all of their teeth, without any numbing, and then put them in jail. I'm sure that the smooth gums will make them LOTS of new friends!

This guy will beg for Protective Custody if he gets jail time.

Sounds like some evil Voodoo s# was happening there.


Crazy world.

originally posted by: Skid Mark
a reply to: Klassified

Funny how he wasn't charged and that no police report was written. I think that somebody is getting paid off.

I got the impression the authorities have been playing pass the buck with this case from the beginning.

originally posted by: Martin75
a reply to: Skid Mark

I don't understand why they are not charging them! This is child abuse! This is a sick group of people (and I am including the whole office) that could do this to someone, let alone children, for money.

I say we pull all of their teeth, without any numbing, and then put them in jail. I'm sure that the smooth gums will make them LOTS of new friends!

You're as sick as that guy. You're the other face of the same medal.

a reply to: Klassified

This is just old school dentistry. It's not sunshine and lollipops, kiddies.

originally posted by: ItCameFromOuterSpace
a reply to: Klassified

This is just old school dentistry. It's not sunshine and lollipops, kiddies.

You might want to read the article, and watch the video. This is not "old school dentistry". And even if it were, there is no excuse for it when we have modern methods available.

a reply to: gosseyn

You're as sick as that guy. You're the other face of the same medal.

I'm sorry but I disagree. I am giving them the chance of trail. That is something that they did not give to ANY of their victims. No I didn't say it but I did say jail, which assumes they are found guilty. As for the rest of my statement, they pulled the children's teeth like that. Are the abusers more special than the children?

And as for their treatment in jail....I have NOTHING to do with that. But I will enjoy it.

Action = Consequence

It seems this country seems to forget that little equation exists!

I remember my parents took me to their dentist when I was a kid, and he had to be 150 years old (okay, maybe not that old) and who was absolutely old school. I remember seeing blood and flesh hit the wall when he would scrape my teeth. I was only about 10 or 12 the last time I went. Going there completely terrified me of dentists for a long, long time. I think I was about 30 before I went to another one again.

That, however, wasn't anything compared to that sadistic a-hole in the OP. I never came out missing teeth and I was never strapped down to a chair. I still have a mistrust for dentists but I sit in on the visits when my kids go now and their dentist is pretty awesome.

Our family dentist growing up was a drunk, heavy smoker and this was before widespread use of gloves was in practice. He would say it's just a little cavity you don't need numbing. This guy ruined my teeth for life by using the wrong adhesive for braces and leaving it on for too long eating at the enamel. It was what we had available within my mothers insurance and the only one in the area. At the time she didn't believe me when I said he was the way he was, and after he died and we had a new dentist they pretty much said the same thing I was thinking all along as a little kid. Because of this guy I am now the proud owner of a full upper at the age of 38. With no ability for compensation for my treatment because the guy is dead. I can absolutely relate to these poor kids and what they went through. And the way I feel about my self nowdays yeah not so positive, but I got a perfect smile

I didn't realize someone had already started this thread. Sorry about that. Any who

I think this guy thinks he's one of the barbers of old who still leeches people when they need a bleeding. That's who he reminds me of. How anyone can torture children, and it's all about money for him. I know some do not like Daily Fail articles, but this one references that the dentist has turned in his medical license voluntarily.

Dentist turns in license.

My favorite part is when Mom attacks the dentist and tries to choke him, and actually says, "You like to choke kids Motherflicker!!"



I'm not a Nancy Grace fan, but at 1:46 in the video, you'll see Brandi Motley attack the dentist for choking her daughter.



Truthfully, I would have done the same thing.

I, myself, have a severe fear of dentists. Long ago, I had been on strong painkillers. Percocet and Vicodin. I had gone to get a cavity worked on. The dentist gave me 5 shots of Novocain. I told him I could still feel pain and could feel him working on my mouth, so he gave me 4 more shots. I was still screaming in pain and crying. He flat out called me a liar and continued working on my mouth even though I was screaming and drawing blood on my arm. I almost tore the armrest off his chair with my nails alone I was in such agony, yet he refused to stop. I took me years before I would go to another dentist. I have immune problems where my body attacks itself, including my teeth and gums. By now, all my teeth need pulling and I need dentures. The good thing is, now I can get sedation dentistry. They can pull the teeth and put the dentures in during the same procedure. Also, thankfully, Medicaid and UPMC will cover this and even though my ex refused to drive me to get this procedure done during our marriage because his band gigs were more important, I now have friends who have no problem driving me while I'm sedated. I just want this done, and over with finally.

Back to Doctor Demented though, it really, REALLY is hard to believe, even with my own experience, that people like this really are out there, not only out there, but practicing and harming the smallest of our society. And in some ways, the often voiceless, or scared into being voiceless.

I saw a news report on this a few days ago. Torturing kids with unneeded work in order to milk more money from the government. Pretty low.

Greed is such an evil sickness.

a reply to: Klassified

I read about this a few days ago and I'm really in the fence about the entire thing.

First, if he was scamming Medicare, then he'd fill the same rotten tooth three times, then put a crown on it, then as a last resort pull the offending tooth.

Temporarily fixing a Medicare patient's tooth =repeat customers and a guaranteed check.

It also seems like no one wants to mention how lower socioeconomic classes generally have poor oral health due to poor hygiene and diet. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if that 6 year old who had several teeth pulled (which luckily for her are all vaby teeth I believe) has a mouth full of cavities.

It isn't called Mountain Dew mouth for nothing.

He needs to spend the rest of his life in prison. Absolutely sick.