2nd False Advertising Claim of Waltham Dentist; a Dean's Comments

The false advertising online of a Waltham dentist, Dr. Jeffrey S. Cummings, continues, with a different, 2nd false advertising claim.

This time, the dentist advertises online, in his business site bio, his professional membership in a non-existent professional organization.

In other words, he invented an organization, lists it as a "professional organization" on his online bio at his business website, and pretends he has a membership in this organization -- but it is a complete fabrication. There is no such organization. That is why there is no link to any web site of this organization. And, as Dr. Jeffrey S. Cummings knows, there is no such thing as the:

"Robert R. Andrews Society for Dental Researchers"

-- except in Dr. Cummings' imagination.

The fabricated claim sounds like a prestigious research group of adult practicing dentists. Other text in Dr. Cummings' bio posted online in his business website leave a consumer with the impression Dr. Cummings is an "international lecturer" who is globe-trotting around the world, while doing research with other adult professional dentists.

* * *

A former patient of Dr. Jeffrey S. Cummings shared both his 1st false advertising claim and this 2nd fabricated online advertising claim with a dean at the Waltham dentist's alma mater, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine ("TUSDM").

The former patient had hoped a Tufts dean might phone this Waltham dentist -- and tell this local dentist to stop his false advertising (just as AACD had done with the 1st false advertising claim of Dr. Cummings).

But a TUSDM dean, Dean Nadeem Karimbux, explained to the consumer in an email dated Tuesday, November 24, 2020:

"Although the practicing dentist is a graduate of TUSDM we cannot get involved on matters when he is in practice."

While this was disappointing to read, Dean Karimbux did direct the former patient to the state licensing board for dentists, explaining:

"Please contact the Board of Registration in Dentistry to log the issue. https://www.mass.gov/about-the-board-of-registration-in-dentistry"

* * *

Dr. Cummings, a graduate of Tufts, no doubt knows that Tufts University School of Dental Medicine honors student researchers each year, inducting them into a student-run organization.

The name of this TUSDM student-run organization is:

"Robert R. Andrews Research Honor Society."

You can read the names of this year's student inductees on the Tufts website here. If you look up this TUSDM student group on the web, you may find text such as this, posted there now:

"A big congratulations to this year's inductees into the Robert R. Andrews Research Honor Society. These students have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of research...."

* * *

This society is a "student-run organization" according to two TUSDM publications available online:

https://dental.tufts.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/research_BatesAndrewsAbstracts_2015-2016.pdf

Excerpt:

"The Robert R. Andrews Society is a student-run organization that was formed in 1921 in honor of Dr. Andrews, an outstanding researcher and distinguished dental surgeon. The Andrews Society seeks to promote dental research and to honor those who excel in it..."

The above excerpt is from a 2015-2016 edition (and the excerpt is found on page 4 of 182). It's is the same entry if you replace the years with 2014-2015 (now found on page 4 of 164).

The two entries were written by: Huw F. Thomas, B.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., Dean and Professor of Pediatric Dentistry. The publications are titled: "Celebrating Excellence and Achievement in Research - 2015-2016 Research Abstracts" and same title for "2014-2015 Research Abstracts."

The publications do include post-doc students doing research and presenting such at an annual event called "Bates Day." Is this what Dr. Cummings is alleging to consumers reading his online business site bio page? Or not?

* * *

Note there is absolutely nothing wrong with a proud graduate of Tufts, who was actually in this student honor society, becoming a professional dentist who then: includes this student honor membership on his or her website in a professional bio.

However, when ethical dentists who were actually in this student honor group do this, they also do the following:

1) Correctly post the actual name of this student honor group - and include the word "honor";

2) Identify it as a student group; and

3) Identify it as a student honors group at their alma mater: Tufts University.

By contrast, Dr. Cummings does none of this on his business web site bio.

It is unknown if Dr. Jeffrey C. Cummings was ever a member of this student honor group. Maybe he was not, but wishes he had been -- and, so, in his adult life, he has simply invented a similar sounding named group, implying these are professional, practicing dentist researchers.

And, that is why there is no correct name of the group on his site, no mention of the word "honor", no mention it's a student group, and no mention of a Tufts connection. And, no link.

Dr. Cummings' online advertised claim on his business web site seems to be a complete fabrication. This is called: false advertising.

Yet, Dr. Cummings' false claim that he is in a professional research organization on his business website does not appear on his Linked In page -- which is a page that may be visited more by dental colleagues than potential consumer clients. There, on his Linked in page, he states:

"Tufts ....1983-1987 Activities and Societies: Robert Andrews Society for Research, Implant Research Group. Middlebury College...(his undergraduate degree)"

He claims he was in a research group while a student - just as all students are at his level of study.

* * *

This TUSDM Tufts dean was also very gracious in his email comments to the former patient / consumer, writing the following:

"Thanks for flagging this issue. ...

Appreciate your communication-these types of issues/cases are good case studies for our students-we do teach them ethics and professionalism."

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You've been reading Part 2 of an original 5-part series written by Susan Alyn titled:

"The Waltham Dentist."

Click here for Part 3.

This series has been written and posted as a public service to the neighbors of Waltham, MA.

The author posted "The Waltham Dentist" exclusively on Patch Waltham.

Copyright November 2020 by Susan J. Alyn

About the Author:

Susan is a native New Yorker and now resides in Greater Boston, in Waltham. Her
first career was in advertising. She later became a teacher. You can visit her Linked In page.

How to Contact the Author:
If you wish to contact the author with your comments about this
original series "The Waltham Dentist," you may write to her at her
mailing address:

Susan Alyn, PO Box 550171, North Waltham, MA 02455

Note that any correspondence sent to her about this series becomes the property of the author, and may be published or shared with the public, especially in connection with any
future hearings on changing MA laws. However, you may request your name not be disclosed -- and she will not disclose.

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