A Poor Decision by Judge Greco. Hopefully, the parents of the pediatric patients will find a different dentist.

Really! That judge should be thrown off the bench. Do children not matter anymore? It makes me furious that people consider the adults more than the children who can't defend themselves.

My kids both have an appointment next week but won't be going.

I think a clean shave should have been added to the conditions of bail.

Omg! He is a pediatric dentist and will have contact with children under the age of 18! Which means he is going against what he i allowed to do! He had child porn on his computer and who knows if any of those children where his patience! That Judge is an idiot!

Yes, I agree with the judge. This case is interesting because nobody really knows what files are on their computers, assuming you’re connected to the internet. Opening the wrong email or one click on a website can open 100’s of connections and download data. Sometimes the data contains viruses that exploit weaknesses capable of spying on your activities or doing other things like downloading more files. Given that he had a virus on this computer and brought it to get fixed, then who really knows how the offensive material made its way onto it. It also seems like the guy at the computer repair shop was snooping through the doctor’s personal data, it’s not necessary to open and view personal data files when removing a virus. My son had dental work done by Dr. Ehrlich some years back, his work was excellent. What I find bothersome with this case is that his practice, career, and reputation have already been affected without a trail, without there being any complaints by patients or parents, and all based on what the computer repair guy says he found while snooping through his personal data. If Dr. Ehrlich was aware of this material, would he hand his pc to a stranger to fix it? Maybe someone else had access to it?

That Judge needs to be removed from the bench ASAP!!! Hes a pediactric dentist for goodness sakes who had child porn on his computer! I hope all his patients find a different dentist.

Letemgo Greco strikes again. That judge lets everyone go. He's should be removed from the bench.

I can't condone this man's actions but seeing as how he is not being charged with any contact with minors I feel te judge took appropriate measures. Ive seen greco's decisions before and he has never come off as soft.

When you do some more research on this guy and read reviews it is clear he is very sleazy. Several of the reviews were written before any of these allegations surfaced. He wouldn't allow parents to accompany their children during a cleaning, even children as young as 3. If that isn't fishy I don't know what is. There is NO doubt in my mind this man is guilty and I feel bad for the parents who are going to him and have not heard about the allegations. The judge needs to be removed from the bench for not protecting these innocent children!

As a staff member in a dental office and a parent I would not take a chance. Some kids do better in the office without their parents present and some do better with the parent present but we always take the cues from them and let them chose. We would never take a chance and traumatize a child for life. It doesn't have to be anything but a positive experience.
This is all horrifying if it's true. Yes 1 wrong click on the computer can take someone anywhere but this sounds like multiple clicks. In any case, a pediatric dentist who treats CHILDREN should never have pornography of CHILDREN on his/her computer. Makes me ill.

If I had the power to clean up this country and turn it into a civilized nation, I would start by rounding up all of the jury convicted pedophiles, child molestors, rapists, career criminals, Wall Street swindlers, drug dealers and war mongers and traitors who use the US to fight illegal wars. I would confine them on a guarded island for life and get them out of our lives for good. Alcoholics, drug addicts etc. would be given only one chance to reform, otherwise they would be gone also. Perhaps we should divide the US into two parts, one for those who agree with me and the other for those who prefer our present situation. I had always envisioned the US as a country that would advance civilation and discourage war. Now war is our most important export product and job creator. This is not what I want for my children.

Jenn, there seems to be a few bad reviews but it is hard to jump to "no doubt" that this man is guilty of possession and distribution of child pornography from those reviews. I think the decision was appropriate as well and that he should be given a chance to argue his case in a court of law before we all lynch him and take away his livelihood. Innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, no?

The pediatricians who have been found guilty of violations against their patients had one thing in common. Not letting parents in during examinations. In some cases, the parents were allowed in the examining room, but the child was taken elsewhere "for a shot" or some other excuse for isolating the child from the parents. I would run, not walk, from anyone that sought to be alone with my child (without benefit of a nurse's or aide's presence). Same goes for tutoring, music lessons, you name it. I worked in Victim Compensation, and it was heartbreaking seeing parents on the verge of suicide realizing they had forced their kids into situations over the kids objections - only to find out the reluctance was because the kids were being sexually abused. If your child seems uncomfortable going into a situation or actively objects, you need to find out why - and insist on being present. If the provider objects, some investigation is in order. I cringe when I hear people talking about dropping their kids off for "private lessons."

My kids went to Dr. Mel until graduating high school. Although I stayed in the waiting room while they were treated, both have said there was always a dental hygienist present with them. He was always professional and consultative with me after their regular check-ups, fillings and minor dental surgery. When they were younger, my kids always looked forward to choosing a prize before leaving (plastic ring, stickers, pencil, etc.).

Two supposed facts I've read have been hard for me to reconcile:
1) If he knew there was kiddie porn on his computer, why would someone as smart as Dr. Mel bring it to a third party to have a virus removed? Surely, he would have known the risk of his disgusting/illegal pictures being found.
2) He is alleged to have used various usernames/passwords to obtain and trade pics. That makes me think it's unlikely a virus somehow downloaded those pictures onto his computer.

Regardless of his guilt or innocence, Dr. Mel’s practice will no longer be the same. Personally, I’d like to think he’s innocent until proven guilty.

But if my kids were still patients, I’d have to err on the side of caution and find another pediatric dentist.

Please be civil to one another.
I know not all of you agree on this issue, but no name calling and attacks on other posters please. Stick to the topic and don't post negative comments about each other. Thanks!

My children have been patients of Dr Mel's for the past 12 years. Recently my daughters asked to go to someone else. About 6 months ago they indicated that they just don't like Dr Mel anymore. My son is profoundly physically disabled and Dr Mel has a skill set related to the dental needs of this small group of kids. Vim sad for all those kids as there are few dentists that treat this unique population.
As for the judge, I found his ruling to be shocking. He will never be permitted again to lay a finger on my children. He is innocent until proven guilty but there also needs to be protection of the public especially innocent children. Would we expect a teacher charged with possession of porn to be allowed to continue to teach??

I agree with the judges ruling. Who knows what really happened. Yes there was child pornography on there no one is denying that.

However how it got onto that computer and shared is what remains to be found. Seeing as how he had a virus on his computer and handed to a stranger to be serviced then the virus very well could have put those images onto the computer. We've all had viruses before and they've popped up ads or downloaded things we havent wanted them to. Well virus's can also download images, data content intruders, keyloggers, ect. They can import and export data very easily onto a computer in a non intrusive manner until taking over the computer or slowly it down significantly till the point when it needs to be serviced like dr ehrlich's was.

This holds especally true seeing as how the national center for missing and exploited children said that it was commercially traded child pornography not his patients in the images. The images were NOT taken by him but taken by other people and shared around the web.

There is a saying in the united states that is all people are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. All of those saying he should be removed from his job and livelihood should think twice. The man has not been convicted and is still considered innocent the judge made the right call considering non of the images were of his patients. Imagine if you were in his place and being accused. Would you want everyone jumping on the your guilty bandwagon?

My son has an appt next week that we are cancelling. Whether these exact charges bear out is of no consequence to me - I assume he is just a benign consumer in this instance. But I can't reconcile my child in his chair sedated with knowing that it is a sexually charged situation for Dr Mel. I wish him the best - maybe he should stick to an adult practice

You go greg

Kirsten- please dont start again. Bob Fucci does a fantastic job as editor of the Patch. Its almost a new year , lets start it off right!

My children had been patients there for the past 5 or more years... I recently changed due to costs not so much any other issues... but i would not be bringing them until I knew the truth... I highly doubt they will have patients come the next day they open.. why chance it.. he may or may not be guilty but i wouldnt send my kid and then find out something later

Kristen, Karen and Bob (All) Please delete your own posts and stay in Sudbury. This is the Natick Patch and we don't need arguments from other towns spiling over to ours. I have gone over to yours and read the personal attcks and Bob as editor to allow those attacks against anyone is not cool.

@DGM: This report is posted on several MetroWest Patch sites, not just Natick. Individuals sometimes choose a doctor or dentist outside of the community where they live. (For example, my doctor is in Wellesley and I live in Framingham.)

Comments made here appear on all the sites. Another reason why I asked that everyone remain civil and stick to the topic. Thanks! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

I see, while I appreciate comments from all it seems the editor of the Sudbury patch and kristen have let their local sudbury arguments spill over to here. Thank you for your reply. You also have a great weekend and Happy New Year!

As a dental hygienist and as a mom, I think the judge should not have allowed him to practice. I would NEVER allow my children to go to a dentist, doctor, etc, without my being present. Also, as a dental hygienist, I would want the parents there for many reasons. Parents need to be less trusting and more vigilant when it comes to their kids. If a dentist or pediatrician told me I had to wait outside, I would go find another practitioner.

Ever wonder why there is so much sexual misconduct in our society? Just like Big Tobacco, the pornography industry doesn't want the public to know the dangers and effects of their product. You have been told that watching porn is normal, harmless and that everybody does it. You have been lied to. Find out the TRUTH. Then make your choice. http://porntruth.wordpress.com