The Municipal Consumer Information Office has already assisted 200 people affected by the closure of four dental health centers in the city, a problem that has left treatments unfinished and payments already made for high amounts.
The case has left users in an unusual situation. The establishments have closed their doors, but none of the companies have entered into bankruptcy proceedings to date, which forces those affected to pursue preliminary avenues to try to claim their money and register their case.
The OMIC assists 200 people affected by four closures in the city
The centers in question are Oral Studio, with two locations, Dent JYJ SL, and Assistència Sanitària Flanders. Collectively, the closures have affected patients who had paid for ongoing dental treatments.
In addition to the closed locations in the city, Oral Studio has also ceased operations in centers in various towns in Catalonia. The scope of the problem, therefore, extends beyond the strictly municipal level.
Many users paid large sums for treatments that were left unfinished. This interruption has caused a double harm, with an economic impact on families and consequences for the oral health of patients.
The prior judicial procedure conditions patient claims
From the municipal office, assistance includes information on consumer rights and the collection of data on each pending treatment. It also guides those affected to request the suspension of new billings when services were financed in installments.
In parallel, the OMIC advises on claiming amounts paid for unexecuted treatments. This step is particularly relevant in cases where the contracted service was not completed after the clinic's closure.
If appropriate for each affected person's situation, the office also informs them of the need to file a complaint in court. This preliminary procedure may be necessary to later join the bankruptcy court case if any of the companies eventually enter that proceeding.
For now, the defining fact of the situation is that the OMIC has already assisted 200 affected people while Oral Studio, Dent JYJ SL, and Assistència Sanitària Flanders have still not entered into bankruptcy proceedings.