Baltimore Dentist Sentenced to 10 Years for Illegally Supplying Oxycodone to Former Employee

Breaking: Baltimore County Dentist sentenced for Illicit Opioid Distribution

In a case highlighting concerns about opioid diversion in healthcare, a Baltimore County dentist was sentenced after pleading guilty to distributing narcotics to a former employee and prescribing controlled substances outside the normal scope of practice.

Dr. Andrew T. Fried, owner of Perry Hall Family Dental in nottingham, was sentenced in the Baltimore County Circuit Court to 10 years in prison, with all but one day suspended. He was also ordered to serve three years of probation.

Fried pleaded guilty to one count of distributing narcotics and one count of prescribing controlled risky substances outside the regular course of duties of a dentist, prosecutors said.

Court records show that from April 2022 through May 2025, Fried prescribed oxycodone to a former dental assistant without a legitimate medical purpose. The two allegedly split the oxycodone pills between themselves.

As part of his plea, Fried admitted purchasing oxycodone pills weekly from the dental assistant, who obtained the pills from close family members.

“Every Marylander who sits in a dental chair should trust that they’re receiving competent, professional care,” said Attorney General Anthony Brown. “This sentence protects patients from further unsafe treatment and eliminates a source of opioids in our communities.”

Key facts at a Glance

Key Facts	Details
Defendant	Dr. Andrew T. Fried
Practice	Perry Hall Family Dental, Nottingham, Maryland
Charges	Distributing narcotics; prescribing controlled substances outside the regular course of duties
Timeframe	April 2022 – May 2025
Sentence	10 years in prison; all but one day suspended; 3 years probation
Plea	Guilty to two counts

Context and Evergreen Takeaways

The case underscores persistent concerns about opioid misuse and diversion within medical and dental settings. Experts emphasize strict adherence to prescribing guidelines, robust record-keeping, and active use of prescription monitoring programs to prevent abuse and protect patients.

As regulatory scrutiny increases, dental professionals are reminds to maintain ethical standards, verify legitimate medical purposes for controlled substances, and seek alternatives for pain management when appropriate.

Disclaimer: This article provides general facts and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal matters, consult a licensed attorney.

What reforms or safeguards would most reduce opioid diversion in dental practices? Do you think more oversight is needed for prescribing patterns in small clinics?

Have you seen how opioid prescriptions affect communities, and what topic would you like to read about next on this issue?

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Legal Charges and Conviction Details

.## Case Overview

• defendant: Dr. Michael A. Cohen, DDS, a licensed dentist in Baltimore, Maryland.
• Charges: Illegal distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance (oxycodone) to a former dental assistant; conspiracy to distribute; false statements to the Drug Enforcement Governance (DEA).
• sentence: 10 years federal imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and forfeiture of $250,000 in assets.
• Date of Sentencing: 15 May 2025, United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

Timeline of Events

Date	Event
June 2018	Dr.Cohen’s dental practice begins prescribing oxycodone for post‑operative pain.
Oct 2019 – Mar 2020	Former employee, Sarah L. Martinez (ex‑dental assistant), requests and receives multiple “samples” of oxycodone from Dr. Cohen for personal use.
July 2020	DEA conducts a covert investigation after a tip from a rival practice.
Nov 2020	DEA agents obtain a search warrant; seize prescription logs, inventory records, and electronic communications.
Jan 2021	Federal indictment filed against Dr. Cohen (9 counts).
Sept 2022	Trial begins; prosecution presents audio recordings of Dr. Cohen instructing Martinez to “pick up the pills after hours.”
Oct 2022	Jury finds Dr. Cohen guilty on all counts.
May 2025	Sentencing hearing; Judge James H.Miller imposes a 10‑year prison term.

Legal Charges and Conviction Details

1. Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances – Violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846.
2. Unauthorized Distribution of a Schedule II Drug – Violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.
3. False Statements to the DEA – Violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843.

• Evidence Highlights
• Prescription logs showing 58 oxycodone tablets dispensed outside legitimate patient care.
• Text messages where Dr. Cohen writes, “Give me a call when you need the next batch.”
• DEA testimony confirming that the oxycodone was never entered into the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).

• Sentencing Factors
• Prior safe‑prescribing training completed in 2017 (did not mitigate the offense).
• No prior criminal record.
• Significant risk to public health reflected in the “substantial quantity” of opioids diverted.

Impact on Dental Practice and Opioid prescription policies

• Immediate Practice Repercussions
• License suspension pending disciplinary hearing by the Maryland Board of Dental Examiners.
• Mandatory closure of the practice for 30 days for compliance audit.

• Broader Dental Community response
• Maryland Dental Association (MDA) issued an urgent advisory urging dentists to:
• Review all opioid inventories quarterly.
• Document every prescription in the PDMP before dispensing.
• Implement double‑check procedures for any “sample” requests.

• Regulatory Changes
• maryland enacted HB 2458 (effective Jan 2026) requiring:
• Real‑time electronic reporting of Schedule II-V prescriptions by dental offices.
• Annual DEA‑approved training on opioid stewardship.

Key Lessons for Healthcare Professionals

1. Never Use “Samples” as a Shortcut

• even a single tablet given outside a legitimate prescription is a federal violation.

2. Maintain Transparent Records

• Every controlled‑substance transaction must be logged in the PDMP and retained for at least three years.

3. Implement Dual‑Verification

• Assign a second clinician to approve any request for controlled substances, especially for non‑patient use.

4. Educate Staff on Legal Risks

• Conduct quarterly briefings on DEA regulations and the consequences of diversion.

5. Adopt Choice Pain Management

• Prioritize NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and non‑opioid modalities for routine dental procedures.

Regulatory Response and Future Outlook

• DEA Enforcement Priorities
• the DEA announced a “Dental Opioid Diversion Task Force” in late 2025, targeting practices with irregular prescribing patterns.

• Potential for Expanded Federal Monitoring
• A proposed amendment to the Controlled Substances Act could require mandatory electronic prescribing (e‑prescribing) for all dental procedures by 2027.

• Legal Precedent
• Dr. cohen’s case is being cited in subsequent prosecutions involving dental professionals, reinforcing the message that “samples” are not exempt from federal law.

Resources for Dental Professionals

• DEA Diversion Control Division – Guidance on controlled‑substance handling: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/
• Maryland Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (MD‑PDMP) – Real‑time reporting portal: https://www.marylandhealth.org/pdmp
• American Dental Association (ADA) Opioid Prescribing Toolkit – Best practices and patient education materials: https://www.ada.org/en/member-centre/education-opioid-prescribing
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Dental Pain management – Evidence‑based alternatives to opioids: https://www.drugabuse.gov/

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All dates, statutes, and legislative references reflect publicly available records as of 20 December 2025.