Joseph Goodman DDS, DMD Dentist Top Cosmetic Dentist in LA Threatened by Dr. Goodman's attorney, Bita Goodman, with a law suit and to slander my reputation--for seeking justice and resolution; doctor was physically abusive during procedure, impatient, altered my bite with permanent, costly to fix damage; signed off on the case just to be relieved from the pain he put me through; been on Ibuprofen for 2 years. Sought resolution from Dr. Goodman, in writing. Beverly Hills California

Dental work can be equivalent to major surgery on the body, dental patients don't want to think about that and some dentists (those who have high pain thresholds or haven't had dental "problems" themselves) can be cavalier about the connection between the teeth with every major organ and bone in a body.  Dental work can be physically and emotionally TRAUMATIC and may impact your overall health. Any dentist that takes your money, whether it's $100 for a filing or in this case in Beverly Hills, $100,000 for a handful of teeth;  and  then doesn't work with their patient on the follow up, the resolution, the rectification of any negative repurcussions of the dental work, should be reported to the board and other outlets. 

Think of it like a surgeon who does a transplant.  Maybe your transplant costs 100,000.   Prices aren't that different.  You would expect that surgeon to be with you, as your advocate until you were totally OK.  This is the correct standard in dentistry as well.  Expect nothing less from your dentist!  Your dentist should be proactively following up with you regularly if you are having problems with their work.  Encouraging you to come in and making time for you.

They don't have to do this with all patients, but they do have to do it with a % of their patients any good dentist EXPECTS this , plans for this, and lovingly cares for and nutures the resolution of problem results of their work through to a suitable comfortable conclusion in whatever way makes the patient most comfortable. 

Part of that crazy high prices you pay INCLUDES follow ups and to do whatever is needed, at no cost, to resolve the problem, until it is solved.  You don't operate on an ankle and then send the patient home and never see them again.  If they have pain in that ankle, you may see them 20 times after suregery taking more xrays and making adjustments.  TEETH ARE NO DIFFERENT. 

If you have a problem here, you have a right to be expect that the work is nutured in follow ups. To adjust it. To advise. To answer questions. To give detailed instructions.To inspect it,more than once if need be.  To bring in other experts if first dentist can't solve the issue.

To take responsiblity for their part in the problems or discomfort.

Whether it takes a week after your work, or in some cases, a year. THE DENTIST SHOULD BE THERE FOR YOU AT NO CHARGE.

THIS IS THE JOB OF ANY GOOD DENTIST.

A dentist who only wants happy, easy, "no problem" patients and who treats those who are having problems with anything other than respect, great care and kindess, should be reported, reviewed and spoken about openly!!!!!  That's what prospective patients want to know.  We don't care how does the dentist does on something easy, we want to know how they react when it's NOT easy, when something goes wrong? How is their attitude? How is their personal follow up?  How detailed are they in inspecting the problem?  Do they use a mircroscope or are they rushing you out of the chair because they already have your $$$$$?    

Anyone who has tooth pain knows it takes over your life.  It's not like other pain.  With tooth pain, it is very difficult to function.  Good dentists know this and lead with empathy, generousity and care after a procedure that doesn't result in comfort.

wanted to also mention that you can file a complaint against a dentist at any time, if that helps bring resolution to your case

https://www.dca.ca.gov/consumers/complaints/dbc.shtml

I believe Bita is Dr. Goodman's wife or daughter, but that's easy to verify. Do a quick people search, his legal name is Josef Malakuti Goodman, and they show as related. Bita Goodman is a real estate broker who has a law degree.  Though it does not appear she practices law as her primary source of employement, her sector is real estate law, she is not the dentist's proper lawyer. Her job is selling homes.  Just to put the threat in perspective.

https://www.compass.com/agents/la/bita-goodman/   

When a family member or lawyer from another field or legal sector writes you a threatening letter, you generally know the threats are a repeatedly used scare tactic and not a legitamite threat, ie where you've actually done something wrong.  I'm also sorry to see doctors who behave in this knee jerk way and use family members to do their letter writing bidding for them. 

I'm sure her real estate firm, Compass, would not be happy she's writing these sorts of letters - that can get confusing for her work as a realtor.  You might want to let her office manager at Compass know.   And, really continue the case as you see fit.  I don't believe that information is correct about the statute of limiations.  See below.  If you didn't realize you had a real lasting long term issue for some time after the work was completed - you have a year from that time.  But three years from the time of the dental work. 

It's all a bit complex depending on if you were still trying to get help from Dr. Goodman.  Find a good malpractice attorney to at least give you a (usually free) consultation.  There are some other companies and doctors around (though very few these days left) that reach out to reviewers on Google and Yelp and threaten them with legal action if they don't take down negative reviews. But very few can prove any reason to sue. They could ask you to take a review down legitimately but only for defamation.

  Defamation is not you expressing your honest opinion based on services you have had with this dentist. Yelp and Google can't exist as legitmate sources of feedback if each person only has positive reviews.  To ensure you cannot be sued by Dr. Josef/Joseph Goodman's real estate agent family member - here's a decent checklist, but when you talk to a malpractice attorney, double check with him/her of course:

Give your opinion and only state facts that you can back up. For example, if you give a doctor a two-star review because you didn’t like his bedside manner, that’s an opinion. But if you say the dental tools were dirty, you might be called upon to support your allegations with evidence.  Review only the doctor or service, not the character of the person who provided it.  Be truthful, not malicious or vindictive.

Any doctor that threatens to sue you when you are in pain, responsibly sought a second opinion and are asking for some resolution, ie either money refunded or some portion credited back to you, or additional dental work required at no charge to fix the issue (though you may not reasonably want this if you no longer trust the dentist) - is showing you a giant red flag. That is NOT the norm. Dentists aren't perfect, but when a case doesn't go as they hoped, which does happen, most will do whatever it takes to satisfactorily and caringly actually resovle the issue with the patient. 

Even if you are upset and express anger or the like -- you're the one in pain.  Most dental practices understand this.  Jumping to a threatening letter tells you something may not be right and there are probably many more patients just like you.  I also noticed on his Yelp - anyone who DID leave a negative review - office manager rebutes with far too many specifics re the privacy of the patient. Dentists and Doctors who hit the legal threat button when you are trying to get resolution, generally have a pile of cases like yours that have resulted in similar threats. 

Also if they put ANY papers in front of you to sign while you were in the chair in any vulnerable position; or under the influence of novacaine, valium or the like; or under duress for any reason - it won't matter that you signed, likely.  Again check with your attorney.  

 Some info I found on California Statute of Limitations/Dental work:

Section 340.5 requires that you file suit no later than one (1) year from the date the patient knew or reasonably suspected that the defendant doctor improperly or negligently treated or advised the patient. Section 340.5 also provides an outside limitations period, requiring suit to be filed no later than three (3) years after first manifestation of injury, regardless of whether the patient was aware or suspicious that the injury was caused by the defendant doctor's treatment. Both the one-year and three-year periods must be satisfied for the suit to be timely filed.

Although difficult to prove, fraud or intentional concealment of a foreign body with no therapeutic purpose extends the statute of limitations beyond the three (3) years. Also, both the one-year and three-year statutes are generally tolled while the patient continues treatment with the defendant doctor, although this is not an absolute rule. Statute of limitations issues can be complex, and this discussion is not meant to provide a complete and exhaustive explanation, but merely to inform you that you should not delay in pursuing your claim.