SmileDirectClub Loses Challenge to California Dental Board Rules

SmileDirectClub can’t move forward with its antitrust challenge to efforts by California’s dental board to classify its storefronts as illegal dentistry practices, a Los Angeles federal judge ruled a week after signaling he was likely to toss the case.

Judge George H. Wu issued a chambers order Thursday adopting the reasoning of an earlier opinion in which he “tentatively” rejected claims that the board targeted the web-based teeth-straightening business because it’s made up of practicing dentists looking for a pretext to shut down a competitive threat.

Although SmileDirectClub alleged motive, opportunity, and “what they believe are other ‘plus factors,’” those ...