Who is the Butcher Dentist?
It is easy to take for granted how fortunate we are to have access to great dental care in the United States. There is plenty of debate in this country about healthcare, including insurance and medical costs, and comparisons arise frequently with other countries. Regardless of those comparisons, one thing is certain: we definitely have it better than some other regions. Certainly, those who had to deal with the infamous Butcher Dentist!
One particular example that comes to mind is the town of Château-Chino in France. This town, once famed only for its medieval ruins and the legacy of its former mayor turned president, has recently become a news item for a despicable kind of evil that took place there.
Château-Chino is one of many places on this earth without access to adequate dental care for its residents. Due to this inadequacy, an individual who called himself a dentist took refuge and mutilated over 120 patients in the space of only 4 years. This dentist, now facing prosecution, is a case in point for the importance of professional dentistry and philanthropic dentistry in underprivileged communities. City Dental Centers provides such care annually to prevent incidents such as what happened to the victims of the ‘butcher’ dentist.
The Butcher Dentist – Jacobus Marinus Van Nierop
Jacobus Marinus Van Nierop, known by his patients as Mark Van Nierop, spent 4 years improperly treating and swindling patients in Château-Chino before he was finally accused of his crimes. Originally assigned to the region in 2008 by a Dutch headhunter, Van Nierop’s crimes and failures as a dentist were swept under the rug. After all, he was the only practicing dentist in the region.
Van Nierop the Butcher Dentist hadn’t been a perfect dentist before being assigned. In fact, his past in the Netherlands was far from exemplary. His poor skills had him eventually stripped of his license. The Butcher Dentist and his past were unknown to the residents of Château-Chino. Whether the headhunter assigned to fill the position in the region was aware of his checkered past or not is unknown. They selected him quickly without a thorough investigation into his background. That’s due to the lack of a dental care provider in the area.
Dental Negligence by the Butcher Dentist
Was the Butcher Dentist Van Nierop simply negligent? Were his procedures conducted out of ignorance? An attempt to defraud? A desire for cruelty? It’s quite hard to say. Some of his common failures as a dentist included attending to more than one patient at a time, excessive use of anesthetics, and billing patients incorrectly or for procedures they never had.
His more sinister appearing crimes included removing multiple teeth without reason or scraping plaque roughly off teeth with no concern for the comfort of the patient or proper protection of the gums and teeth. Furthermore, he wasn’t just a failure to his patients, he was a failure to his suppliers who often went unpaid.
Van Nierop’s Crimes Come to Light
When the Butcher Dentist and his crimes were reported and enough had been gathered to bring a case against Van Nierop, he was placed under court supervision and banned from leaving France. He fled to Canada in December 2013. However, authorities apprehended him a few months later.
Cases like this one are part of the reason why France’s Health Ministry has been pursuing a Health Territory Pact. This initiative launched in 2012 encouraged young doctors to relocate to rural areas. There, they filled positions in the 700 health centers opened to cater to underserved communities.
Van Nierop, the Butcher Dentist, is also an example of why City Dental Centers engages in philanthropic dentistry in order to assist underprivileged communities with their dental needs.
City Dental Centers’ Philanthropic Dentistry
City Dental Centers makes yearly trips abroad where they focus on ways to improve patient care and develop stronger relationships among the staff to create a family environment for their patients back home. During these visits, City Dental Centers visit underprivileged communities to provide them with dental services and education that they otherwise might not have been able to experience. City Dental Centers seeks to make an impact at home. However, we’re also heavily involved in education, particularly at the elementary level. Furthermore, we enjoy educating young patients about the importance of proper dental hygiene.
Keep in mind that we are very blessed in the United States. We don’t have the same problems other communities face in dealing with ‘butcher’ dentists. However, that does not mean that less skilled dentists do not occasionally slip through the cracks. Fortunately, at City Dental Centers you know that you are working with trained professionals that care about your well-being before, during, and after your dental visit.
City Dental Centers is Here for You
City Dental Centers is a standout dental practice that cares for its patients and treats them like family. If you’re a patient at City Dental Centers, you’ll know the difference right away in terms of patient care, professionalism, and comfort in dental proceedings.
Our involvement in the local community, and underprivileged communities abroad, combined with our attention to always improving as a practice is unheard of in most dental practices. However, it is a standard expectation of City Dental Centers and all of our staff. Patients come to City Dental Centers for a reason. We set the bar high for what anyone could ever expect of a dental practice and we seek to be the best each and every time you schedule a visit at any of our four conveniently located Southern California locations.
With multiple locations across Southern California, City Dental Centers is the best choice for any and all of your dental concerns. The professionalism of their doctors will ensure you the best possible care before, during, and after your dental procedure.
For questions, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at 888-553-7775.
Convenient Dentist Offices in Southern California
Doctor Sam Shahovesi and the team at City Dental Centers are here to provide our patients with the best dental services and dental surgeries for children and adults of all ages. From toddlers to seniors, City Dental Centers offers six convenient dentist offices in Southern California. We even have a dedicated children’s dentist office, City Dental Kids & Braces.
Ready to experience the best dentists in Los Angeles? Choose one of the convenient dental offices we have surrounding LA. We have dental practices in Azusa, Corona, Lake Forest, Montclair, Pico Rivera, and West Covina. You can call our main line at (888) 624-8933 or reach out to an office directly with the information below. We’re so happy you’ve chosen City Dental Centers. We can’t wait to help you along your dental journey and brighten your beautiful smile!