A former Massachusetts dentist indicted for inserting pieces of paper clips into patients' mouths as a post in root canals instead of using standard stainless steel posts and billing Medicaid for the cost of the post has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, according to an Associated Press (AP) story.
Michael Clair, D.D.S., 51, who now lives in Maryland was ordered by a judge in New Bedford to have no contact with the victims and was released on personal recognizance, according to the story.
Earlier this year a Massachusetts grand jury indicted Dr. Clair with submitting false claims to Medicaid, assault and battery, larceny, and illegally prescribing prescription drugs.
Dr. Clair, who had previously been excluded as a provider from the Medicaid program, hired several dentists at his dental practice who were eligible and used their provider numbers for billing between August 2003 and June 2005, according to the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. He is accused of fraudulently billing approximately $130,000 to Medicaid.
Dr. Clair's court-appointed lawyer, John Dingee, refused to comment on the case, the story concluded.
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