Pocono News Section

I-Team Update: Patients Can Get Dental Files

I-Team Update: Patients Can Get Dental Files - Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 5:46PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008 @ 05:46pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- Patients of a Luzerne County dental office that closed can now get their files. Possibly thousands of records have been locked up since the office shut down suddenly five months ago. I-Team and consumer reporter Jeff Chirico is here with how patients can get their records.

We've heard from many folks who are in a bind over this bizarre story. We recommend you get a pencil and paper because we will be giving out important information to patients.

The office of Dr. Irwin Ufberg closed suddenly in late February --shortly after Ufberg's widow died. This is video from inside the office. It hasn't had power since the man running it locked the doors without warning hours after Mrs. Ufberg passed away in February. That left employees without jobs, and many low income patients without a dentist and their much needed records.

Now the attorney handling the estate says he's come up with a process to get the patient files back in the right hands. Marvin Wilenzik says “contact our office in Wilkes-Barre or Blue Bell or have their new dentist do that. Let us know who they are. We'll get the (release) forms out. They can fill it out, send it back to us and we'll have an arrangement for records if records are there."

Patients can send letter requesting records to:

Elliott Greenleaf Law
C/o Kevin Anderson
925 Harvest Drive, Suite 300
Blue Bell, PA 19422
or call 215-977-1045