Dentists today are getting innovative as they did a root canal using paper clip instead of a steel post.
A Massachusetts dentist received a 1-year prison sentence at the Bristol County House of Correction, for using paper clips while performing a root canal on a patient. He is also facing charges of assault and battery, as well as defrauding Medicaid a staggering amount of $130,000, and intimidating a witness.
The culprit is identified as Dr. Michael Clair who according to prosecutors in order to reduce expenses would use parts of paper clips for root canals. This caused some of his patients to develop a range of problems, including infections.
Brenda Almeida’s son had a root canal in 2005; however, his tooth turned black and had to be extracted. Almeida claimed that her other two children also received substandard dental treatment from Dr. Clair. Almeida is angry because Clair got off lightly with only a 1-year jail sentence.
After Judge Richard Moses passed the sentence, Almeida said the sentence was too light to pay for the pain her children endure for months as a result of his treatment.
The prosecutors was requesting for a sentence of five-to-seven year sentence. After the sentence was imposed, the prosecutors, as well as the defense team, refused to comment.
The judge said that there were certain mitigating circumstances taken into consideration before passing the sentence: as the ex-dentist’s lack of criminal record, some mental health issues, plus his action in fully accepting responsibility for what he had done.
The prosecutors requested that Clair stay away from his victims, as well as his seven working colleagues which was granted by Judge Moses. It appeared that his former staff members were concerned for their own safety.
Out of the 2.5 year sentence, all but one year was suspended. Clair will have to complete five years of probation after leaving prison.
Clair’s Massachusetts dental practice license was taken and he is now banned from practicing dentistry anywhere in the USA.
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