3 sentenced for unlicensed dental practice

By Denise Dick

Staff report

boardman

Three people who worked at a South Avenue dentistry office have been convicted of practicing dentistry without a license or permitting the practice by those without a license.

Dr. James Gentile, 51, of Southwind Trail, Poland, was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay $500 in fines after being convicted of two counts of permitting dentistry without a license. The sentencing occurred Tuesday in Mahoning County Area Court here.

A February judgment entry from Judge Joseph Houser says that Gentile, who is a dentist, “permitted the practice of dentistry in his office by unlicensed individuals (i.e. Ronald Mangie and Jeffrey Melia).”

In 2008, the Ohio State Dental Board contacted township police after getting a complaint from a woman who had visited Youngstown Dental, South Avenue, and was unsatisfied with the care she received.

Mangie, 73, of Joyce Ann Drive, Canfield, was sentenced Tuesday to probation after being convicted of practicing dentistry without a license. He was fined $500.

The judge found that Mangie was “practicing dentistry by examining patients, prescribing treatment and directing a dental assistant,” a February judgment entry said.

Mangie formerly had a dental license that was revoked in 2002.

Melia, 34, of New Road, Austintown, was convicted of practicing dentistry without a license, sentenced to probation and fined $150.

The judge found that Melia “engaged in the unauthorized practice of dentistry without a license ... by removing and reinstalling permanent crowns on the patient,” according to a judgment entry.

At the time of the charge was filed, Melia was a dental assistant with a license to take X-rays, a state dental board official had said.