Tenn. practice awarded $22M in ruling against DentaQuest

A Tennessee practice has been awarded more than $20 million by a trial jury because it was excluded from participation in that state's TennCare Medicaid dental program.

Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates and David J. Snodgrass, DDS, were awarded $7.4 million in compensatory damages and $14.8 million in punitive damages in a case against DentaQuest USA Insurance, the administrator of TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid network.

The case alleged that DentaQuest, in its role as a state actor, excluded the Snodgrass-King practice from TennCare in retaliation for past public comments by Dr. Snodgrass that were critical of DentaQuest's administration of the program, according to a statement from Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates.

A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee ruled this was a violation of Dr. Snodgrass' First Amendment rights and restricted the practice's ability to provide care to low-income and special needs patients.

In a statement to DrBicuspid.com, DentaQuest said it would seek further review.

"DentaQuest was disappointed to learn of the jury's decision in this case. As an organization driven by our mission to improve the oral health of all, we operate with the highest standards and remain committed to serving those most in need. We will continue to exercise our legal options by seeking further review of this matter through the trial court and the appeals process," the company wrote.