THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION – LAST UPDATED NOV-24-2022

“The advice below is intended for dental practice owners when they are first confronted by the real or likely probability they have been embezzled. (i.e.: when the practice owner ‘suspects’ or has “reasonable cause” to believe that embezzlement has occurred)”

Bill Hiltz BSc MBA CET

DO NOT – CONTACT THE POLICE

Do not contact the police based on a suspicion or without tangible evidence.

Police departments will generally not allocate resources to investigate dental embezzlement. An exception to this is when the suspected employee has a previous conviction for fraud or embezzlement.

In most cases, police and prosecutors will only act when the dentist provides them with clear and compelling evidence that a financial crime was committed. (i.e.: a forensic audit report)

DO NOT – INSTALL CAMERAS IN THE OFFICE

Do not install cameras at this time.

If your hunch is correct, then installing cameras will arouse the employee’s suspicion.

This will cause a change work behavior, and increased efforts to conceal their crime. (i.e.: destruction of electronic records and removal of physical records)

DO NOT – FIRE THE SUSPECT FOR STEALING

Terminating employment based on a suspicion can result in an employment lawsuit and a severance obligation.

Do not fire an employee on a hunch. You need clear and compelling evidence to fire an employee for stealing

DO NOT – CONFRONT THE EMPLOYEE

Confronting an employee

DO NOT – START ASKING EMPLOYEES QUESTIONS

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DO – BACKUP YOUR DATA

Yes.
to be completed
TBC (emails, passwords, PMS, syslogs)

DO – REVIEW YOUR BUSINESS OWNERS POLICY

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DO – INVESTIGATE YOUR SUSPICIONS

Take the Dental Embezzlement Red Flag Self Assessment
to be completed

DO – SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

William Hiltz BSc MBA CET
Hiltz & Associates
Insight • Diligence • Assurance
Office: 201-503-3742
Cell: 201-467-4987
Fax: 855-440-8624
https://hiltzandassociates.com
https://dentalfraudbusters.com