Former patients of Woodbury Dental Arts, a dental clinic that abruptly closed, are set to become the first Minnesotans to receive compensation through a newly established state fund designed to aid victims of consumer fraud.
The case involving Woodbury Dental Arts marks the first to be processed through the Minnesota Consumer Protection Restitution Account, which was created by the Legislature in 2025. The fund reimburses victims when companies go bankrupt or lack the resources to repay consumers.
Deputy Attorney General Jessica Whitney explained that the Woodbury case was prioritized because it was the first eligible case after the fund’s inception. More than 300 claims have been filed by former patients, with restitution expected to reach nearly $5 million.
Woodbury Dental Arts had signed up hundreds of Minnesotans for expensive dental implants, requiring patients to pay tens of thousands of dollars upfront. Many financed their procedures through loans, leaving them in debt after the clinic’s abrupt closure. The clinic continued to operate and collect payments even after the Minnesota Board of Dentistry temporarily suspended Dr. Kamel’s dental license in 2023, citing the risk of harm to patients.
Despite the suspension, the clinic remained open and left patients with incomplete dental work. Dr. Kamel closed the clinic in March 2024, just days before facing final disciplinary action, without informing patients or providing refunds. The clinic filed for bankruptcy soon after, with insufficient assets to reimburse patients.
In response, the Attorney General’s Office reached a settlement with the Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee in November 2025. This allowed them to access the Consumer Protection Restitution Account, facilitating refunds to affected patients.
Evan Romanoff, an assistant attorney with the Attorney General’s Office, clarified that eligible patients will receive refunds for the full amount they paid if they did not receive the services they purchased. The state will not calculate partial refunds for incomplete procedures.
The Consumer Protection Restitution Account, established in July 2025, has received approximately $4.6 million. The fund is primarily fueled by a portion of settlements secured in consumer protection cases, including a major settlement related to Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products.
In addition to the Woodbury case, the Attorney General’s Office is reviewing contractor fraud cases and over 100 scam complaints, such as “grandparent scams,” which may qualify for restitution in the future.
Former patients of Woodbury Dental Arts who believe they may be eligible for restitution are urged to contact the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office as soon as possible, as additional claims are still being reviewed.