Murfreesboro Dentist Richard Schott Sentenced for Healthcare Fraud

Richard N. Schott, 51, a Murfreesboro dentist, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for orchestrating a healthcare fraud scheme that bilked over $956,000 from various insurance programs.

Schott, who owned Dental Excellence with locations in Murfreesboro and Lebanon, TN, pleaded guilty last November. His former practice administrator, Kendra Glenn, faces trial on December 3rd for her alleged role in the conspiracy.

The fraudulent activities at Dental Excellence spanned from November 2013 to January 2018. Schott submitted false claims for dental services that were never performed, manipulated dates to meet benefit program requirements, and falsified documents to inflate billings. Despite being flagged by insurance companies, he continued the scheme, intimidating employees and firing those who questioned his practices.

Patients suffered as a result, forced to wait months or years for essential dental care due to the backlog caused by Schott’s deception. The U.S. Attorney Don Cochran highlighted that the $956,448 in restitution ordered for TennCare is a direct consequence of the fraud.

The FBI and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Booth, Sarah Bogni, and Byron Jones handling the prosecution. Schott’s actions have been condemned as a betrayal of trust and a misuse of medical resources.

Kendra Glenn is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.