ATTENDANCE: The following members were in attendance:

Emil Cappetta, DDS; Patricia Delaney, RDH, Ed.M; Peter DeSciscio, DMD; Herbert Dolinsky, DDS; Maxine Feinberg, DDS; Alexander Hall, DMD; Ms. Karen Golding; John Ricciani, DMD; Arnold Rosenheck, DMD

OTHER ATTENDEES: Deputy Attorneys General Nancy Costello Miller and Joseph Donofrio; Cecilia Moreira, Senior Management Assistant; Michael Dominach, Paralegal.

ABSENT AND/OR EXCUSED: Ms. Belinda Caraballo; Beverly Kupiec, RN, Ph.D.; Sally-Jo Placa, DMD

NOTE: The Public Session Agenda commenced at 10:00 A.M.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 17, 2007 - Approved as amended.
November 21, 2007 - Approved as amended.

II. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Credentials:

Dental Auxiliaries:

- Julie Utter, RDA - Application for a registered dental assistant. Ms. Utter meets all requirements for licensure. The committee recommends approval.

Dental:

- Dr. Kerry Crocken - The Board discussed Dr. Crocken’s request for reinstatement of his New Jersey dental license. The Board moved this matter to Executive Session for deliberation.

Dr. Crocken had a three year stayed suspension, to be served as a period of probation, in Maryland for allowing unlicensed auxiliaries to perform functions restricted to licensed personnel. Dr. Crocken’s license in Maryland has been reinstated.

The Board determined to reinstate Dr. Crocken’s New Jersey license with a reprimand and a six month stayed suspension. Dr. Crocken must also complete the required continuing education credits.

- Dr. Brandon C. Anderson - Application for a New Jersey dental license. Dr. Anderson meets all requirements for licensure. The committee recommends approval.

- Heister H. Linn, Jr. - Application for a New Jersey dental license. Dr. Linn meets all requirements for licensure. The committee recommends approval.

2. Continuing Education:

The committee recommends approval of five continuing education courses.

- Patricia Bocage, RDH - The committee discussed a request from Dr. Michael Hatrak for approval of the nitrous oxide training taken by Ms. Bocage at Phoenix College in Arizona. The committee noted that the course must be Board approved and offered in a CODA approved college or university clinical setting or hospital setting. Phoenix College apparently does not meet the criteria as outlined in the Board’s regulations.

The Board approved the committee’s recommendations.

III. REPORTS SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO N.J.A.C. 13:30-8.8:

1. UMDNJ - New Jersey Dental School - The Board took this as informational.

2. Dr. Prathima Manilla - The Board took this as informational.

IV. PROPOSED LEGISLATION:

1. S-2387 - The Board reviewed this proposed legislation which establishes certificate of rehabilitation for certain persons with criminal records. The Board in a motion by Dr. Hall, seconded by Ms. Delaney, voted in support of this bill so long as the Board retains discretionary authority on licensure matters for the protection of the public.

V. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL’S REPORT:

1. Dr. Patrick Quaranta - The Board in a motion by Dr. Dolinsky, seconded by Dr. Cappetta, ratified its decision to reinstate Dr. Quaranta’s license to practice dentistry with restrictions as outlined in the Board’s Consent Order of Reinstatement filed on December 11, 2007. Motion carried. Dr. Rosenheck and Dr. Ricciani were recused because of their affiliation with UMDNJ.

VI. OTHER MATTERS:

1. Daniel Di Cesare, DMD - The Board reviewed additional information provided by Neal A. Demby, DMD, MPH, Director, Department of Dental Medicine and Susan L. Dietrich, DMD, Director, Graduate Dental Education at Lutheran Medical Center in follow-up to Dr. Di Cesare’s request for Board approval of a Dental Residency Program. After discussing this matter, the Board determined that Dr. Demby and Dr. Dietrich be invited to appear before the Board and discuss the program in more specific detail.

2. The Board reviewed correspondence from Elizabeth Philipone, DMD, requesting clarification of the Board’s regulations. The Board directed that she be advised that a specialist can perform all phases of dentistry and is not restricted to the specialty. A copy of the Board’s regulations will be sent to Dr. Philipone.

3. ADA - The Board reviewed information concerning "Unauthorized Use of the ADA Anesthesia Guidelines Documents." The Board took this as informational.

4. WREB - The Board reviewed information concerning the Western Regional Examining Board examination. The Board took this as informational.

5. Dr. Cicero (Addendum to agenda) - The Board discussed correspondence from Janice Gibbs, Continuing Education Department at UMDNJ, indicating that they do not do assessments but can prepare a course for Dr. Cicero. After discussing this matter the Board approved the endodontic course. The Board noted that if Dr. Cicero wants to perform any other phases of dentistry other than endodontics, he must complete the DSCE part of NERB.

VII. APPEARANCES:

1. 11:30 A.M. - Maher I. Bakri, DDS - Application for reinstatement of his New Jersey dental license. Dr. Hall was recused because Dr. Bakri applied for a job in his office.

Dr. Bakri appeared before the Board to discuss the information disclosed on his application for reinstatement of his New Jersey dental license. The Board discussed the action taken by the New York Board of Dentistry. Dr. Bakri was charged with professional misconduct. His license in New York was suspended for a period of two years, the suspension was stayed. He was also fined $7,500.

Dr. Bakri provided specifics surrounding the incidents which led to the New York action. The unprofessional misconduct dealt with processing credit card charges at his dental office for dental services never rendered, as part of a scheme to defraud the credit card issuer. There was also false entries in a patient record in furtherance of said scheme.

At the conclusion of Dr. Bakri’s testimony and questions from the Board, the inquiry was ended.

The Board moved to Executive Session for deliberation. The Board will announce the results of deliberation when available.

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