Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: November 3, 2005
Contact: Donald Williams, Assoc. Director for Health Regulation 222-4727

HEALTH Director Suspends License of Pawtucket Dentist
Order Cites Immediate Danger to Public Health, Welfare and Safety

Final Consent Order

Today, the RI Director of Health ordered a summary suspension of the license for Gary Anusavice, DDS, in the practice of dentistry. According to the suspension documents, Anusavice does business as Premier Dental located at 451 Broadway in Pawtucket, RI and employs a number of other dentists who also provide dentistry services at that location. The suspension takes effect today at 5:00 pm.

Earlier this year the RI Board of Examiners in Dentistry received consumer complaints from the Office of the Attorney General and directly from several consumers and other parties. The Board commenced an investigation of the complaints by contacting and interviewing each of the complainants. As a result of the investigation, the Board initiated a hearing process to suspend, revoke or otherwise discipline Dr. Anusavice’s license as a dentist.

The complaints allege that Dr. Anusavice participated in credit card fraud, a bait and switch scheme with regard to dental services being provided to patients, billing patients for services not rendered, deceiving patients with respect to credit being provided to them, refusing to respond to patients’ repeated requests for care, refusing to provide patients’ medical records when requested to do so and providing dental services not requested by the patients without the patients’ knowledge. During the disciplinary proceedings the dentist or his office manager allegedly attempted to intimidate and bribe witnesses scheduled to testify at official hearings.

The suspension order directed Dr Anusavice to cease operation of Premier Dental until a hearing is conducted and upon further Order of the Board of Examiners in Dentistry.