Attorney General Schwalb Announces Predatory Dentist Has Had License Revoked and Is Barred From Practicing in DC

Mark McClure’s Misconduct Includes Inappropriate Sexual Conduct With a Patient, Illegally Prescribing Highly Addictive Medications, Practicing Pseudo-Dentistry, and Misrepresenting His Qualifications

WASHINGTON, DC – Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that, as a result of the effective and thorough advocacy of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the District of Columbia Board of Dentistry has revoked the license of dentist Mark McClure and barred him from re-applying for licensure to practice dentistry in the District for at least five years. McClure committed repeated and egregious violations, including engaging in sexual contact with a patient and teaming up with another doctor to threaten and bully her out of reporting the matter. He also prescribed highly addictive medication to another patient and then abruptly cut her off, leading to medical complications - including a seizure - that required in-patient treatment for 45 days. Additionally, McClure treated other patients using pseudoscientific medical procedures outside the practice of dentistry, and then systematically hid and manipulated records to cover up his misbehavior.

“This case is an excellent example of the hard and effective work that our Civil Enforcement Section does every day to keep District residents safe,” said AG Schwalb. “McClure demonstrated an abject disregard for his patients’ health, safety, and dignity.  There is no place in the District of Columbia for reckless, deceptive, and predatory dental or medical practitioners, and the Office of Attorney General will continue to ensure that those who break the law are held accountable.” 

In its Final Order, the Board of Dentistry found that McClure “knew exactly what he was doing at all times…his every action was a calculated and deliberate attempt to circumvent the law, the standards of professional dental practice, and his consent order agreement, and to thwart the Board’s efforts to regulate his practice of dentistry in the District of Columbia.”

The Board found against McClure on all seven charges lodged against him, concluding that he: 

  • Engaged in sexual contact with a patient and other conduct of a sexual nature that a reasonable person would consider lewd or offensive; 
  • Performed, offered, or attempted to perform services beyond the scope of his dental license;  
  • Failed to adhere to the standards of acceptable conduct and prevailing practice within the profession of dentistry; 
  • Failed to keep adequate records; 
  • Failed to maintain a record for a patient accurately reflecting evaluation and treatment of the patient, including the drugs prescribed, administered, dispensed, and the amount, as well as the name of the dentist or dental hygienist providing services; 
  • Misrepresented his registration to practice alternative medicine involving natural remedies; and 
  • Misrepresented his status as a “Doctor of Integrative Medicine,” a license that does not exist in the District.

Through its Civil Enforcement Section (CES), OAG enforces regulations that protect the health, safety, and quality of life of DC residents, including regulations that govern licensed medical professionals. The District requires medical providers, including doctors, nurses, and dentists, to meet established standards for training, education, and practice. These standards ensure patient safety. If providers violate these standards and endanger DC residents, they can face consequences such as reprimands, fines, retraining orders, probationary periods, and license suspensions or revocations. 

AAGs Anthony Celo and Alycia Hogenmiller handled this matter, with the assistance of AAG Christopher Southcott and supervision by Section Chief Kimberly Johnson and Assistant Chief Chuck Coughlin.

The full Order is available here.

File a Complaint About a Medical Professional or Facility 

More information about how to file a complaint about a DC medical professional or facility is available from the Department of Health here. 

DC Health is charged with investigating complaints to determine if a violation of District regulations occurred. If the agency concludes that a violation has occurred, it refers the case to CES for legal action.

Residents may also file complaints about unfair or illegal business practices to OAG’s Office of Consumer Protection by calling (202) 442-9828, emailing consumer.protection@dc.gov, or submitting a complaint online.