License Suspended For Howell Dentist Charged With Video Camera Peeping

A Howell dentist who was arrested and charged with installing a video camera in a patient bathroom in his office is temporarily banned from practicing dentistry, authorities said Thursday.

The state Board of Dentistry has suspended the license of Scott M. Meltzer, who on April 10 was arrested at his office. He is charged with five counts of third-degree invasion of privacy, according to a release from the Office of the Attorney General.

Meltzer denies the allegations, but agreed to the temporary suspension of his license to practice in New Jersey, the release says.

The State Board of Dentistry in its Consent Order noted that Meltzer denies the allegations, but agreed to the temporary suspension of his license to practice dentistry in New Jersey, the release says.

Meltzer’s license will remain suspended pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings and further order of the board, according to the release.

“A dentist’s first responsibility is to care for the health and well-being of the public,'' Jeffrey S. Chiesa, state attorney general, said in the release. "These allegations are deeply troubling, and the Board of Dentistry took the right action in response to the criminal charges.”

Meltzer's attorney, Howard Tittlebaum, was unable to be reached for comment.

Since his arrest earlier this month, Meltzer's patients -- some of whom have work or dental appliances paid for or in the works -- have been trying to reach the office, to little or no avail.

A recorded message on Meltzer's office telephone says that the office is closed, "but will be opening shortly'' and then refers patients with dental emergencies to another office.

It also says that any cases in progress "will be completed when the office reopens.''

But numerous patients have reported leaving multiple messages with no return phone calls.

Lifelong patient Susan Pagano, 20, of Howell, was one of the lucky ones. She had been trying to reach the office since the arrest to pick up her grandmother's dentures.

Her persistance paid off on Wednesday, when she was able to make arrangements to get the dentures, she said.

The dentures were due to be picked up on April 10, the day Meltzer was arrested, Pagano said.

"He was my first dentist,'' Pagano said of Meltzer. "We're all still in shock.''

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