In Dentists

Rhode Island dentist no longer practicing after child molestation charges

A Rhode Island dentist was ordered to home confinement after pleading not guilty Nov. 21 to four counts of first-degree child molestation, according to local NBC affiliate WJAR. 

Maria Asciolla, DDS, had a dental practice under her name in East Greenwich, R.I., but no longer works there, the dentist's office told WJAR. The dentist has been licensed in Rhode Island since 1993 but is not currently practicing, WJAR reports.

Dr. Asciolla, 57, allegedly sexually assaulted a local boy multiple times between Nov. 24, 2016, and Sept. 29, 2018, prosecutors said.

Police investigated the dentist and her estranged ex-boyfriend over a year ago after receiving child abuse or neglect allegations. Dr. Asciolla's ex-boyfriend, Kevin Ford, 53, was charged in July with second-degree child molestation involving a different child.

Dr. Asciolla posted $50,000 bail and is not supposed to have contact with the children involved in the cases, though her attorney is fighting one of those orders, according to local news source ABC6. The dentist's next court appearance is scheduled for January. 

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