Dr. Ethan Schuman DMD Nursing home dentist practiced on aged mother without clearance, ran up huge bill, now suing her St.Louis, Missouri

This dentist works in nursing homes.  I found out later how doctors often contract with nursing homes and then show up at a "cattle call" where their availability is announced over the PA system and the little old ladies show up for treatment, usually monthly.  This dentist ignored repeatedly the patient file (all told at least 4 times) saying not to treat my then 85 year old frail mother with memory problems without first getting permission from me, her son with all the legal power and who pays the bills, sets up the health insurance, etc.   He treated her - presented me with a $1300 bill for a "partial" - said he was only half finished and would I pay him.  I agreed to pay half -$650 - and pay the rest on completion.  We always paid on time and no other doctor ever ignored the file or misbilled us - out of 8 or so practioners we used.  I then got a $3500 bill for other work never mentioned earlier which he had sent to the wrong address - my brother across the country who does not handle anything - again ignoring the patient file which showed billing and contact procedures.  In the middle of all this he sends a statement cancelling the bill then later another one reinstating it.  In the meantime, he never finishes the $650 job he promised.  I refuse to pay based on devious nature of how all this came about and because all $3500 of the dental job is useless if the last part is not done - the final adjustment and fitting.  The device has never been finished and is useless.  We found her another dentist and in a second opinion found out none of this was necessary anyway - she has done fine for 3 years now with no problems without it.  In talking with Schuman to settle this he offerd to take 70% of amount due as he "would have to pay collection agency 30%".  I agreed to do this if the $650 work never performed was taken out first - he actually said No - he expected to get 70% of the work he did not do.  I told him No on principle - he sent this to a series of collection agencies - as soon as I faxed the history of the case they usually dropped it like a hot potato.  Now my 88 year old mother who cannot even leave the building is being sued by him for the amount plus interest.  This dentist is truly an awful person and professional.  Stay away.