Marked as
Last updated - September 20, 2025
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Dr. Michael Sawaf, owner of Cool Springs Orthodontics, faces allegations of healthcare fraud, including submitting false TennCare claims for services not provided or performed by unqualified staff, misrepresenting credentials to secure improper reimbursements.
Owner
High Risk
Based on the available data, we advise consumers to avoid this Individual altogether.
This advisory is based on an aggregate risk score derived from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified in our research.
You are likely to be at great risk by engaging in any sort of consumer-related activity with this entity.
Medium Risk
Based on the available data, we advise employees to be mindful when considering or continuing work with this Individual.
This advisory stems from a medium-risk score compiled from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors uncovered in our analysis.
Employment with this entity may involve moderate risks.
Based on the available data, we recommend investors and bankers proceed with caution regarding this Individual.
This advisory is informed by a medium-risk score based on OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified through our investigation.
Financial involvement with this entity may carry moderate risks to your interests.
Safe to Onboard
Enhanced Due Diligence required
Do Not Onboard
Monitor adverse media every 6 months
File SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) is warranted
Escalation to compliance committee
None
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DMCA Abuse
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Fraud Allegation
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Patient Complaints
Dr. Sawaf settled a lawsuit for $985,541 concerning allegations of submitting false claims to TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, resolving the claims without an admission of liability but highlighting serious compliance concerns within his practice.
Allegations included billing for services that were either not rendered or incorrectly documented, upcoding procedures to claim higher reimbursements, and listing uncredentialed staff as credentialed providers to submit Medicaid claims, raising regulatory scrutiny.
The settlement was reached without an admission of guilt or wrongdoing, which is common in civil resolutions to avoid lengthy litigation despite serious concerns.
Criminal charges have not been publicly filed against him, and all legal actions to date have been civil in nature involving regulatory and compliance issues.
In 2024, a video surfaced showing employees at his practice mocking a cancer patient’s diary, leading to public backlash, disciplinary action against staff, and additional reputational concerns.
Dr. Sawaf continues to operate at Cool Springs Orthodontics in Franklin, Tennessee, though past legal and reputational issues may affect patient trust and stakeholder perception.
There are no public records of professional or licensure sanctions, but involvement in Medicaid settlements and misconduct allegations may trigger ongoing monitoring by regulatory or professional bodies.
Yes, the 2023 settlement involved allegations of fraudulent billing practices, including misrepresentation of services and staff credentials, which poses compliance and reputational risks.
While there are no reports of direct physical harm, the 2023 settlement suggested that patients may have been indirectly affected due to improper billing practices and insufficient oversight in care delivery.
Reports indicate attempts to manage or suppress negative media coverage about his practice, which may include PR efforts and takedown requests, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Regulatory and Compliance Screening
Litigation and Legal Proceedings
Reputational and Adverse Media Risks
Geographic and Jurisdictional Risk
What you see here scratches the surface
We offer reward for actionable intel
Dr. Michael Sawaf reports a Knoxville dentist to repay nearly $1M after a TennCare probe uncovered fraudulent billing from 2016–2020.
First Detected
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Dr. Michael Sawaf settled for $985K over Medicaid billing violations, including claims for uncredentialed services in his practice.
Dr. Michael Sawaf settled a TennCare lawsuit over Medicaid billing and patient care issues at Premier Dental Group in Knoxville.
Other Red-Flags and Adverse News
Based on user engagement on this review profile, ProConsumer will decide to publish its Risk Audit report for public if a threshold engagement, traffic and user input is achieved.
Known Assets: [Real estate, investments, companies]
Suspicious Transactions
Liabilities: [Bankruptcies, defaults, debts]
Wealth Sources: [Legitimate / Unclear / High-risk]
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Business Model Assessment
All comments are user-generated content and may not be verified. They represent the personal opinions of the public and should not be relied upon. These comments do not influence or determine our overall rating.
2.2
2.8
3
Highly experienced
Well-recognized name
Faced allegations of scamming others
Allegedly sold fake silver
Sued multiple times
Unregulated industry
Alarming number of complaints online
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Seriously compromised by documented allegations of widespread Medicaid fraud, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirming that he and his affiliated dental practice agreed to pay nearly $985,541 to settle claims of knowingly submitting false TennCare (Medicaid) billing for services not provided or improperly billed
2/5
Beyond the core billing allegations, credible reports suggest Snowaf’s practice engaged in efforts to suppress critical information online, allegedly including the submission of fraudulent DMCA takedown notices to remove unfavorable reviews and adverse news coverage
From misrepresenting services to exploiting TennCare, Dr. Michael Sawaf’s track record demonstrates a pattern of prioritizing profit over ethics. Even without criminal convictions, the scale of allegations and the size of the settlement make it clear that engaging with him or his practice carries tangible risk. Reputation, financial stability, and patient trust have all been severely undermined under his leadership.
3/5
4/5
Dr. Michael Sawaf’s nearly $1M TennCare settlement is more than a financial slip it exposes a pattern of abusing Medicaid for services not properly delivered. Settling without admitting liability doesn’t erase the trust he destroyed. Patients and insurers alike are left questioning his integrity and the ethics of his practice.
Cool Springs Orthodontics should be a place for patient care not a headquarters for healthcare fraud. Under Dr. Sawaf’s watch, it became exactly that. False claims, unauthorized providers, and nearly a million in taxpayer-funded settlements later, it’s clear this wasn’t negligence it was business as usual. And the patients were nothing but tools for profit.
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