Dentist Used Paper Clips —in Root Canals

Michael Clair also charged with Medicaid fraud
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 24, 2012 11:56 AM CST
Dentist Used Paper Clips —in Root Canals
Would you want one of these used in your root canal?   (Shutterstock)

Paper clips and stainless steel posts: Basically the same thing, right? A former Massachusetts dentist has pleaded guilty to a host of charges, including the accusation that he used parts of paper clips rather than stainless steel posts to support root canals in an attempt to save money. Michael Clair's main charge, however, is Medicaid fraud to the tune of $130,000; he was suspended by Medicaid in 2002, but prosecutors say he continued performing work on Medicaid patients and submitted the claims in the names of other dentists in the practice.

Clair, 53, apparently ran a very scary dental practice: He is also charged with assault and battery, larceny, tampering with evidence, and witness intimidation. Last but not least, he was charged with illegally prescribing prescription medication—Hydrocodone, Combunox, and Percocet—to other staff members, who gave some of the drugs back to him. The general public should be pleased to hear that he no longer practices dentistry. Perhaps unsurprisingly, his license had been revoked in three other states, the Herald News reports. (More strange stuff stories.)

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