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Report: Dentist Charged For Drinking On The Job

MARS (KDKA) -- A Mars dentist is facing charges for reportedly being drunk at the practice.

The Butler Eagle reports that Dr. Gregory Bellotti, a dentist at Professional Dental Alliance's North Pointe Refresh Dental office in Mars, was heavily intoxicated at work back on March 23.

According to a police complaint obtained by the Butler Eagle, Bellotti saw seven patients that morning, but his staff called 911 when they realized the dentist was drunk.

According to a statement from the Professional Dental Alliance, Bellotti was found unresponsive in the office after the lunch break. They also say he did not work on any patients after returning from lunch and was immediately fired.

"He was immediately terminated, and will never return to practice at Professional Dental Alliance. At no point, did he work with any patients after returning to the office that afternoon," the statement said in part. "Nothing is more important to Professional Dental Alliance than the safety and security of the patients in our care. We were shocked and saddened by this incident, and we will never tolerate behavior that jeopardizes patient safety or the trust our patients place in us."

When police and paramedics arrived, he told them he had consumed a bottle of vodka, and he was diagnosed with alcohol poisoning.

Bellotti is facing charges of public drunkenness and reckless endangerment. He was arraigned at the end of July.

The Butler Eagle says the state dentistry board has suspended Bellotti's license.

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