A Massachusetts dentist has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of illegally prescribing drugs and using paper-clips in his patients' root canals, the state attorney general office announced Wednesday.

Michael Clair, 51, formerly of Fall River and now of Maryland, stands accused of ³inserting pieces of paper clips into patients¹ mouths as a post in root canals instead of using standard posts made of stainless steel,² according to an attorney general statement.

He would then allegedly bill the Medicaid program for the cost of actual posts, using other dentists' provider numbers. Clair had been suspended from the Medicaid program since 2002.

He allegedly billed Medicaid for a number of other charges using the the forged numbers, amounting to $130,000 US.

Authorities also allege Clair illegally prescribed powerful painkillers Hydrocondone, Combunox and Percocet to staff members, who would then give him back a portion of the meds.

He was indicted on two counts of assault and battery, three counts of larceny over $250, five counts of Medicaid false claims, and six counts of illegally prescribing drugs.

Clair will appear in court to enter a plea on April 8.