Dozens of patients left in pain and out of money after Sherwood Dental Center Closes
AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — The unexpected closure of a dental center in Amarillo has left dozens of patients in pain, and desperately seeking answers and help. Many paid up front for procedures that still haven't been completed. Others complain that the work that has been done is creating more problems.
On October 20th Keri Balentine walked into Sherwood Dental Center in Amarillo, she had teeth extracted and received a partial bridge. She was starting the process of getting implants.
On February 15th she was scheduled to get liners and better fit the partial, which she said has been cutting her mouth.
“About a couple days before my appointment they call and said ‘hey we have to cancel your appointment, the liners are on back order when we get them, we will make a new appointment, I never heard from them, so I called the phone was disconnected,” Balentine said.
Balentine had already paid 1,740 dollars and she’s not alone.
Lisa Allen got top temporaries and was supposed to get permanents in June.
Shauna Johnson has receipts from her husband’s dental work from Sherwood, he paid 1,245 dollars. He was given these liners which Johnson said are lump sided and can’t be used and he now must go to an oral surgeon.
A group on Facebook was created for former patients of Sherwood which now has 90 members with a similar experiences.
We called the dentists number and it was in fact disconnected and the sign on the door said, “office permanently closed.”
Attorney Chris Hesse said the former patients can go after the dentist, Dr. Lloyd Koen’s license.
“That is a very real threat that has immediate consequences for that person running that business,” Koen said.
Many patients said they are in pain and need more work after receiving care from Dr. Koen.
Attorney Ryan brown has spoken to some former Sherwood patients.
“Seems like there was so gruesome stuff done here, there is also theft, fraud, maybe Medicaid fraud,” Brown said. “What we need to do, is anyone that was a victim here needs to come together, like they are doing in this Facebook group and see what your claims are.”
We were not able to contact anyone for Sherwood Dental and will be following up with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners for further investigation.
