Indianapolis dentist faces charges for Medicaid fraud

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Dec. 11, 2014)– Charges have been filed against an Indianapolis dentist for falsely billing the State’s Medicaid program for dental treatments she allegedly did not perform.

Dr. Bernice Avant, D.D.S., has been charged with one count of Medicaid fraud, class C felony, and four counts of theft, class D felony.

Avant’s dentistry practice uses the name Oakbrook Dental Center.

Court documents allege that from 2010 to 2013, Avant submitted false Medicaid forms to the Indiana Medicaid program and obtained $261,909.52 in payment. Several of the falsified forms reported procedures completed on patients for procedures that were never completed.

Investigators interviewed 12 patients, who claim that procedures ranging from X-rays to teeth extractions were ne