Nostrand Ave Dental, seriously?

booklaw

Folks, let's not let our imaginations run too wild... the dentist is entitled to a presumption of innocence until we have some meaningful evidence (which we do not at all have) otherwise.

If someone wants to engage the dentist's professional services and then post an opinion about the quality of those services, fine.  Until, then, please do not speculate... unless you are personally prepared to bear the costs of defending a libel lawsuit by the dentist.  This site is not prepared to bear those costs, and so I will delete any further potentially defamatory speculations. 

whynot_31

The Brooklyn DA seems like the appropriate entity to actually investigate people's concerns. The investigation I linked above reportedly stemmed from a patient contacting their action center.

http://brooklynda.org/das-action-center/

After completing an investigation, they are allowed to post summaries of the allegations without fear of pesky libel lawsuits.

newguy88

@Booklaw My understanding, from a practicing attorney, is that an opinion unless represented as fact is permissible free speech. Hence words I like "I think, suspect" ect.  While I understand your desire to avoid a lawsuit since the poster at this point are only posting opinions and not facts we should be covered as free speech. He may sue but will most likely be unsuccessful and be liable for countersuits and attorney's fees. It seems to me you're spooking when there is no cause for undue alarm. I'll ask my attorney friend later today and post his thoughts. I do hope the mods keep in mind what a chilling effect on free speech and thus the site statements such as those have. That being said I shall now cease any and all conversation about this topic except when I hear back from my friend. 

booklaw

That is all true, and, if Brooklynian could afford to defend libel suits, I'd say "have at it!" But it cannot, so unless you are prepared to pay Brooklynian's defense costs, please chill.

crownheightster

I plan to chill. I have no interest in being a target of the law. Redact where you think it wise.

newguy88

@booklaw Has the Brooklynian been threatened with legal action?

booklaw

Not as yet, and we intend to keep it that way!

tateinbk

I don't understand how this dentist is able to stay open.  Potential patients with Medicaid who live in the area can go to the Interfaith Dental office on Bedford just north of Eastern Parkway.  They offer more dentists, and some of them (most?) come via the NYU dental school.  They are also quite close and I am assuming have more of a reputation to uphold.  Given the option within a few block radius, why stay at that location and have a limited patient pool?  It is my understanding with Medicaid that dentists are paid something whether or not their patients ever show up.  But surely you can get more from actual butts in the chair?  Why not go somewhere where your patients are not intimated by others and you have less direct competition from probably more competent dentists?

I know from conversations with other, non-related dentists that Medicaid pays very, very little for procedures.  A friend of mine who lives in a whole other state has a 5 year old son who has 8 crowns for baby teeth.  Her son receives Medicaid.  This problem has come up in the news recently. http://healthjournalism.org/blog/2015/06/potential-billing-abuse-by-medicaid-dental-providers-a-fertile-area-for-coverage/  I don't know if dentists get paid less per procedure than doctors do, or if dentists (in general, not this one in particular) are more at risk of attempting to game the system.  

Many years ago I was on Family Health Plus and went to a doctor that made me wildly uncomfortable.  I should have reported him, but instead just stayed far away from any doctor that accepts the lower paying options.  My anecdotal belief is to accept Medicaid (in general, not this dentist at all) you need to either have a calling to help less well-off people, or there's a potential for a hussle, or you're a student and need to learn.  I don't really have faith in that many people having a calling so i go to well supervised students.  In the case of the super shady doctor I went to all those years ago, I should have immediately reported him to Family Health Plus, Medicaid, and any other medical associations he was a part of and let them investigate it, or at least warned them.

rikilynn

thought this would be the most appropriate place to post.

tonight there were about 10 young people hanging on the corner of st johns and nostrand.  I watched cops pull up, talk with the kids, all of whom were calm and not walking away.  The cops began to leave, conferred with each other briefly, than turned and aggressively grabbed one of the boys and started to drag him away.

A lot of arguing ensued, myself included, and the cops were engaging in the arguing.  I have seen people hanging out, but I have lived here for a while and do not really see any problem.  I am a young woman, I often come home very late at night from work alone, and have never, ever been bothered or made to feel unsafe by anyone on this corner.  

Why is this the focus of police action and our discussions...and not larger issues of gentrification and the recent rise of car accidents on this very corner?  While the cops were arguing with everyone (it became quite a large crowd and a couple more cops joined), a whole group of motorcyclist sped down St Johns and ran the light at Nostrand, speeding by all five cops who were standing around.  Those kids, pretty quietly hanging on the corner, aren't what bother me or make me feel threatened.  Nor do the people hanging outside of the dentist office.  I'm bothered by the two people who have died on my corner, and the numerous cars that speed down nostrand and st johns at all hours.  

Also, I'm bothered by the cops grabbing young black men, who are peacefully standing.  They issued him a summons.  Issuing a summons does not require grabbing or dragging.  

Idk what the point of my post is...other than I feel really that tensions are rising on this corner, I have seen horrific car accidents, and I want to talk about it.

booklaw

Terrific post! You present a different perspective about the people hanging out on the corner.

If you want to talk about horrific car accidents and pedestrian safety, why not start a new thread? Use the "Start a New Discussion" button at the upper right of the page.

whynot_31

Tensions are certainly high on Nostrand and St John's.   

Another corner where they are high is Franklin and Union.

I expect the tensions to increase on these corners over the summer, as those who are bothered by the young black men continue to exert pressure on the NYPD to have them hang out elsewhere.

In my view, gentrification certainly plays a role.   In the past, many residents complained to the NYPD about such conditions but were met with indifference.     I believe that is because the police had a sense of futility:    An endless supply of young black men seemed to exist.

Now, the police seem to believe that moving these young black men is worth the effort.   When they are moved elsewhere:
-New businesses rent the storefronts.    
-Additional tax dollars flow into the city's coffers.
-The local politicians tell them they are doing a great job.
 
Note, my analysis has little to do with whether anyone is "actually safer".     I think the police tend  to focus on things that they can visibly say they achieved.    Getting rid of young black men from a corner is a lot easier to achieve and measure than stopping speeding.  

whynot_31

The NYPD doesn't even have to the give the officer a car.