Tennessee dental office staff caught mocking cancer patient’s journal, sparking outrage and investigation
Staff members ridicule patient’s personal notes
A Tennessee dental office has come under fire after a video surfaced showing staff members mocking a cancer patient’s journal. The employees of Premier Dental Group of Knoxville were seen reading aloud and laughing at the patient’s personal thoughts about various treatment options and concerns, according to KVUE.
Swift backlash and a public apology
The video, which was posted on social media, quickly drew widespread condemnation. In response, Premier Dental Group issued an apology on Facebook, acknowledging the “inappropriate video created and shared by some of our employees that addressed an individual’s medical condition in a disrespectful and unprofessional manner.”
The dental group announced that it has initiated a thorough internal investigation and is reviewing its policies and training procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. While the employees involved have been “addressed,” the practice did not disclose specific details about any disciplinary actions, as reported by WBIR.
Past controversies resurface
This scandal is not the first time Premier Dental Group has faced scrutiny. In 2023, the practice agreed to pay approximately $1 million to settle a lawsuit over allegations of defrauding Tennessee’s Medicaid program. The practice was also criticized for employing unqualified staff and performing unnecessary procedures that potentially put patients at risk, according to KVUE.
The latest incident has further damaged the reputation of Premier Dental Group, raising serious questions about its commitment to patient care and ethical standards.