N.J. yanks dentist’s license, orders $517K fine for ‘hit and run dentistry’ practices, AG’s office says - NJ.com

An oral surgeon and dentist who owned practices in four New Jersey counties was ordered Tuesday to pay more than $517,000 in fines and restitution for “gross negligence and professional misconduct” in treating low-income, disabled and elderly patients, authorities said.

Dr. Andrew Maron, 58, who was affiliated with practices in Monmouth, Passaic, Hudson, and Union counties, conducted “hit and run dentistry” by needlessly pulling teeth, using faulty implants and discussing treatments with patients who were under the influence of anesthesia, according to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal.

“Most dental practitioners are dedicated to the health and safety of their patients,” Grewal said in a statement. “But revolving-door dentistry that puts practitioners’ financial gain ahead of patient health and safety erodes public trust and undermines the integrity of the entire profession.”

New Jersey’s Board of Dentistry revoked Maron’s license and ordered him to pay civil penalties of $138,500; restitution of $75,041.22 to 15 patients; and costs and attorneys’ fees of $303,856.22.

Grewal said Maron had committed professional misconduct in his treatment of 17 patients between 2010 and 2015.

An investigation revealed Maron pulled teeth and replaced them with dental implants without checking to see if the natural tooth could be fixed. Some of the implants migrated into the sinus or were loose and swallowed by patients, Grewal said.

Maron also performed dental procedures “without regard to a patient’s ability to pay,” and pressured Medicaid patients into taking loans that they could not afford to pay, the attorney general said.

He was also accused of “discussing treatment with patients who were already in the chair receiving anesthesia” and of “ignoring or failing to take patients’ medical histories,” Grewal said.

“Dr. Maron placed patients at risk through egregious conduct that violated the most basic tenets of professionalism,” said Paul R. Rodríguez, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.

“His disregard for the well-being of his patients makes a mockery of the standards adhered to by those who are privileged to hold a license to practice dentistry,” Rodriguez said. “The revocation of his license not only protects the public from the threat posed by Dr. Maron, it removes a stain on New Jersey’s esteemed dental profession.”

The revocation of Maron’s license upholds the findings of an administrative law judge who heard the case in January.

In an initial decision in May, Judge Susan M. Scarola found that Maron’s practice was “so overextended it was almost impossible for him to provide quality care.”

In a hearing on July 24, the state board confirmed Scarola’s findings with modifications that lowered the amount of restitution to one patient and removed restitution from another patient who had already been paid through a civil suit, Grewal said.

In April, the New York Post reported that Maron worked at practices in Manhattan and The Bronx despite having his license suspended in New Jersey.

Maron’s profile on Zocdoc identifies him as an oral surgeon and dentist working at a practice in New York.

A woman who answered the phone at a dental practice in Clifton said Tuesday that Maron no longer works there. A cellphone number in Maron’s name was disconnected.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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N.J. yanks dentist’s license, orders $517K fine for ‘hit and run dentistry’ practices, AG’s office says - NJ.com
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