"Mass. AG: Dentist used paper clips in root canals
FALL RIVER, Mass. --A former Massachusetts dentist is accused of putting paper clips in patients' mouths during root canals, then billing Medicaid for the stainless steel posts he should have used.
The state attorney general announced Tuesday that a grand jury indicted former Fall River dentist Michael Clair last week on charges including assault and battery, larceny, submitting false claims to Medicaid and illegally prescribing prescription drugs.
Prosecutors said Clair, who now lives in Maryland, was suspended by Medicaid in 2002. He allegedly hired other dentists for his clinic and filed claims under their numbers between August 2003 and June 2005. He's also accused of illegally prescribing drugs to staffers who returned medications to him.
Clair is to be arraigned April 8. A telephone listing could not be found for him and it's unclear if he has an attorney.--more--"
Update:
"A former Fall River dentist who allegedly used pieces of paper clips during root canal procedures instead of the standard stainless steel posts pleaded not guilty today to a variety of charges, the attorney general's office said.
Michael Clair, 51, formerly of Fall River and now of Maryland, was arraigned in Bristol Superior Court on charges that include assault and battery, larceny over $250, making false Medicaid claims, and illegally prescribing medicines.
Clair was indicted last month. Prosecutors have said he was suspended by Medicaid, the federal-state health care program for low-income people, in 2002.
Clair's attorney, John Dingee, said he had just taken the case and couldn't comment.--more--"
I'm glad I have one I can trust.
A rare thing here in AmeriKa.
