The manager of a Boston dental practice is facing criminal charges, including practicing dentistry without a license and scheming to defraud Massachusetts’ Medicaid program out of approximately $245,000.
Suffolk County Grand Jury indicted Fritz Gabriel, 69, of Milton, on Monday. He manages Forest Hills Dental in Dorchester, which was also named in the indictment.
Gabriel faces charges including practicing dentistry without a license, medical assistance fraud by a non-provider, larceny of over $1,200, and assault and battery. According to court documents, the allegations date back as far as Jan. 1, 2018.
The AG’s Office alleges that Gabriel and Forest Hills billed MassHealth for many services, including extractions, root canals, and multi-surface fillings, that were never provided to the MassHealth members as evidenced by subsequent dental examination of those members and/or subsequent x-rays of the teeth at issue. The AG’s Office further determined that Forest Hills billed for dental services provided by Gabriel, who was not a licensed dentist, even though many of the services billed were required to be performed by a licensed dentist. The total amount believed to have been fraudulently obtained from MassHealth as a result of these submissions is approximately $245,000.
The AG’s Office also alleges that Gabriel, despite not being a licensed dentist, performed an extraction on a MassHealth member that left an exposed root in her mouth, which ultimately required the MassHealth member to need considerable follow-up care.
All of the charges are allegations, and the Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
