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After Court Win, Dentist Braces for Appeal

1 min read

Going to court wasn’t like a trip to the dentist for Montgomery D. Heathman of Little Rock.

A Pulaski County Circuit Court jury recently awarded his Interdisciplinary Dental Therapy P.A. $221,000 in its case against Arkansas Family Dental P.A. of Little Rock. The roots of the case go back to late 2012 when Heathman, an associate dentist at Arkansas Family Dental, wanted to buy a practice.

Tina Nichols and Samaria Mascagni sold him the Arkansas Family Dental practice at 9200 Chicot Road in December 2012 for $271,000, according to the lawsuit, filed in 2013.

Included in the purchase price were a patient list and goodwill, which Heathman said he didn’t receive.

Heathman also sued the owners for fraud and punitive damages, but Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Mary McGowan ruled in favor of the defendants for those claims.

Still, the jury awarded Interdisciplinary Dental Therapy the money for breach of contract.

“We were very happy with the results,” said Interdisciplinary’s attorney, Tré Kitchens of Little Rock. “It was a well-prosecuted case on both sides, and I certainly think in this instance that the jury system worked really well.”

Attorney Patrick Wilson of Little Rock represented Arkansas Family Dental. “Arkansas Family Dental appreciates the jury’s service, but they certainly disagree with the verdict,” he said. “They will likely appeal.”

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