A long-running legal battle over collection notices sent by the now-closed Dr. Molar Family Dentistry has come to an end, with a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge issuing an injunction that prohibits further collection efforts. This decision impacts thousands of former patients who received collection notices despite having already paid their bills.
The Case of Disputed Debts
Patients of Dr. Molar Family Dentistry began receiving collection notices as early as 2021, years after the office had closed its doors. Some patients, including Randy Luedtke, were shocked to find they were still being pursued for payments they had already settled. Luedtke, who had no issues with his dental care and even benefited from discounted treatment when paying in cash, was surprised to receive a $450 collection notice in 2021.
“I had paid in full,” Luedtke explained. “I couldn’t understand why they were coming after me.” He provided bank records showing a cashed check from 2018 as proof that the bill had been paid.
Collection Notices Spark Confusion
The situation began to unfold in 2021 when Contact 6 visited the closed locations of Dr. Molar Family Dentistry. The buildings were vacant, and the clinic had already ceased operations. At the 93rd and Bluemound location, an oral surgeon had moved into the space, highlighting the closure of Dr. Molar’s practice.
Despite the closure, collection efforts continued under the management of Dr. Molar’s registered agent, Nancy Wilson. In 2021, Wilson explained that the collections were part of the “normal course of business” for unpaid bills. However, former patients like Luedtke disagreed, citing records that showed they had already settled their accounts.
