Dental practice slaps rival dental workers with defamation suit

A dental practice in Pennsylvania has filed a defamation lawsuit against employees from a competing practice claiming they made damaging statements about it on social media, according to a story published on July 29 in the Pennsylvania Record.

Dr. David Hajel, owner of Somerset Dental Associates in Somerset, PA, filed a complaint on July 27 in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Jonna Craig and Rinna Aguayo, employees at Elite Dental of Johnstown in Johnstown, PA. Craig and Aguayo allegedly accused Somerset Dental of recommending dental procedures that were unnecessary for financial enrichment, according to the story.

Hajel claimed in the suit that the defamatory statements made on Facebook have severely damaged his reputation and his dental practice, which led to a loss of patients and business opportunities. Furthermore, patients have purportedly instead chosen to seek services at Elite Dental. Hajel is seeking compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $50,000 for each count of defamation and tortious interference with existing and prospective contractual relations.

The controversy about Somerset Dental allegedly was ignited by claims made on Facebook by a parent whose child was seen at the practice. In the post, the parent accused Somerset Dental of recommending that her child be placed under anesthesia and undergo extensive dental work, which another dentist deemed unnecessary, according to the story.

Further comments on the parent's post led others to question some of the practices at Somerset Dental. One of the commenters, Craig, who was identified as the regional manager of Elite Dental, reportedly encouraged anyone with concerns to file complaints with their insurance companies and the state board of dentistry. Additionally, Aguayo, an employee at Elite Dental, posted comments accusing Somerset of performing unnecessary dental work for profit, according to the story.

In the lawsuit, Hajel argues that the "false" comments were made with "malicious intent" to harm his business and even disrupted negotiations for the sale of Somerset Dental.