Allcare Dental Shuts Down, Leaving Consumers Hanging

A national dental clinic chain previously accused of misleading consumers and not honoring advertised discounts has shut down its offices across the country, and one attorney general is calling on consumers to stop making payments to them.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett said Allcare Dental & Dentures abruptly closed its offices this week and he urged patients to take steps to cut their financial losses. Allcare was slapped by Pennsylvania in 2009 and agreed to pay the state $135,000 to settle complaints that the business didn't honor advertised discounts, used confusing information and failed to provide consumers with information about financing options. Another chain, Aspen Dental also faced similar accusations.

This time though Allcare just ran out of money and has no plans to reopen its offices, according to the company. Allcare is transferring dental records to other practices near its offices.