Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
A former Massachusetts dentist was sentenced to one year in jail by Fall River Superior Court, after pleading guilty earlier in January to a host of charges. Fifty-three year old Michael Clair pleaded guilty to assault and battery, illegally prescribing medications, defrauding Medicaid, and illegally prescribing medications. According to prosecutors, Clair sometimes used parts of paper clips-instead of stainless steel posts-when performing root canals in an attempt to save money. Patients of Clair have reported infections, pain, and other problems as a result of this improper dental work.
Clair’s dentistry license was suspended in Massachusetts back in 2006 and he is currently not licensed to practice in any state. Although prosecutors requested a sentence of five to seven years, Clair only received one year.
Dentists and doctors have a duty of care to their patients, and patients should not leave an office in a worse state than which they entered. Unfortunately, however, dental malpractice and medical malpractice can occur more often than imagined, and victims of malpractice may be eligible for compensation. For the protection of you and your family, before making an appointment with a doctor or dentists, or at least before signing a contract or paying money, you should seek a personal recommendation or referral or check the doctor’s reviews online.
Dentist who used paper clips gets year in jail, Boston.com, January 30, 2012
Dentist Who Used Paper Clips Gets Year in Jail, ABCnews.com January 30, 2012
Mass. dentist who used paper clips instead of stainless steel in root canals admits to fraud, WashingtonPost.com, January 24, 2012
