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Methodology

How we produce a report, where the information comes from, and what we deliberately do not say.

1. Core principle: facts, not opinions

A Vetera report contains only verifiable facts drawn from public records, each with a citation link to the original source. We do not rate, rank, recommend, or pass judgment on any provider. We do not tell you whether to see them. We give you the information; you make the decision.

2. Primary sources we check

• Florida Department of Health — Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) License Verification. License status, profession, issue date, expiration, restrictions.
• Florida Board of Dentistry — Enforcement Actions Database. Disciplinary actions, consent orders, fines, license restrictions, and dates of resolution.
• Florida Board of Dentistry — Anesthesia Permit Roster. Whether the provider holds an active permit to administer conscious or general anesthesia, and whether any restrictions apply.
• County Clerk of Court records (Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and others on request). Civil case filings against the provider, including alleged malpractice, fee disputes, and judgments.
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services — OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Whether the provider has been excluded from federal health programs.
• U.S. General Services Administration — System for Award Management (SAM). Federal contracting and grant exclusions.
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration — registration status. Whether DEA registration is active and free of public actions.
• National Provider Identifier (NPI) Registry. Confirms identity, primary practice address, and specialty self-designation.

3. How a report is produced

1. Identity confirmation. We confirm the provider matches the name, location, and license number you provide — to make sure we are not reporting on the wrong person.
2. Source pull. Each database listed above is queried directly. Where a record exists, we capture the full content and the source URL.
3. Verification. Where two sources reference the same event (e.g., a board discipline cited in a court filing), we cross-check the details.
4. Plain-English summary. Each finding is rewritten in clear language — no jargon — with the original citation linked.
5. Color-coded risk indicators. Green (clear), yellow (minor or resolved), red (active or serious). The colors describe the record, not the provider.
6. Delivery. You receive a PDF by email, typically within 3–5 days (24 hours for Rush reports).

4. What a report cannot tell you

Public records have real limits. Vetera will be explicit about what is and is not knowable.

• Private settlements. Many malpractice cases settle privately and never become public. Absence of a record is not proof of absence of incidents.
• Sealed cases. Florida courts seal certain records. We report that a sealed case exists but cannot describe its contents.
• Patient experience. We do not collect or report on bedside manner, wait times, or office quality. Read reviews on Google, Yelp, or Healthgrades for those.
• Clinical competence. A clean record does not guarantee a good clinician, and a minor disciplinary item does not make someone a bad one. The record is evidence, not a verdict.
• Recent incidents. State boards can take months to update. Very recent events may not yet appear.

5. Update window

Records change. Each report includes the date it was produced. We recommend treating a report as a snapshot — if your procedure is more than 60 days after the report date, ask us for a free refresh.

6. Independence

Vetera accepts no advertising or sponsorship from healthcare providers, clinics, dental groups, or insurers. We are funded exclusively by patients and other report buyers. Providers cannot pay to suppress, modify, or remove information from a report.

7. Disclaimer

Vetera reports are for informational purposes only. They are not medical advice, not legal advice, and not a guarantee of any clinical outcome. We do not represent the Florida Department of Health, any board, or any government agency. If a report raises serious concerns, discuss them with a healthcare provider or attorney.