The Guedj case: the largest dental fraud in France

Between 2006 and 2012, Lionel Guedj and his father Carnot, dental surgeons in Marseille, orchestrated a massive dental care fraud, mutilating hundreds of patients. Promising “film-star smiles”, they devitalised 3,900 healthy teeth in order to fit lucrative bridges, billing astronomical fees to the national health insurance system and to mutual insurers.

Lionel Guedj thus became the highest-paid dentist in France, earning up to €2.9 million a year. His activity was far beyond any norm:

• 28 times more crowns fitted than the average French dentist.
• Fees 14 times higher than the departmental average.

But behind these figures lay broken patients: chronic pain, infections, abscesses, cysts, ill-fitting prostheses… Lives scarred for ever.

An extraordinary trial

The scandal broke in 2012. Placed under formal investigation, Lionel and Carnot Guedj were struck off the register of dental surgeons in 2016. It was not until February 2022 that their trial opened before the Marseille criminal court.

An exceptional trial, commensurate with the scandal:

• 374 civil parties, mainly patients from the northern districts of Marseille.
• Seven weeks of hearings, during which testimony followed testimony, describing unbearable pain and botched treatment.
• Colossal financial losses: €1.7 million for the national health insurance system, and damages estimated at several thousand euros per victim.

The verdict:
Lionel Guedj: 8 years’ imprisonment, immediate committal to prison.
Carnot Guedj: 5 years’ imprisonment.

An exemplary sentence for unprecedented dental fraud in France.

A legal battle all the way to appeal

In May 2023, the Guedjs appeared again, before the Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal. This time, the prosecution sought even heavier sentences:

• 10 years’ imprisonment sought against Lionel Guedj.
• 5 years against his father.
• Confiscation of their assets.

On 20 October 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld the sentences of 8 and 5 years’ imprisonment, bringing more than a decade of proceedings to a close.

A crucial issue for mutual insurers and health insurance companies

In this case, mutual insurers were the primary financial victims of the fraud. Tom Bonnifay, lawyer for one of the leading mutual insurance companies, helped secure compensation for his client and shed light on the abuses of certain healthcare professionals.

How can insurers protect themselves against such fraud?
Mutual insurers and insurance companies need to strengthen their control systems in order to detect anomalies and prevent such cases from happening again.

Read an article in Le Monde on the case (in French): Link to the article