Former Fall River dentist pleads guilty to using paper clips in root canals and Medicaid fraud

By Alli Knothe, Globe Correspondent

A former Fall River dentist has pleaded guilty to charges that involved substituting paper clips for stainless steel posts while performing root canals, the attorney general’s office said.

Michael Clair, 53, of Maryland, allegedly billed Medicaid for the cost of the stainless steel posts he didn’t use and is facing Medicaid fraud charges. He also pleaded guilty Monday to charges of assault and battery, larceny over $250, tampering with evidence, intimidation of a witness, and illegally prescribing hydrocodone, Combunox, and Percocet.

Following an investigation in 2002, Clair was suspended from the Medicaid (MassHealth) program. However, after hiring several dentists at his Fall River practice, Harbour Dental, who were eligible providers, he began filing claims using their information for services he provided, totaling about $130,000 in two years, authorities allege, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office said in a statement.

In March 2010, Clair was indicted by a Bristol County grand jury and was arraigned in April. He pleaded not guilty and was released with an order to have no contact with victims in the case. In November 2011 he was indicted on charges of tampering with evidence and intimidating a witness.

Though paper clips can sometimes be used temporarily in root canals, investigators said Clair did not intend to replace them in order to cut costs. If left in, the malleable paper clip can lead to infection.

Clair is to be sentenced on Monday in Bristol Superior Court.