LI Dentist Pleads Not Guilty To Trading Drugs For Sex: Officials

WILLISTON PARK, NY — A Long Island dentist accused of writing illegal prescriptions to women in exchange for sex has pleaded not guilty to a 28-count indictment against him.

Dr. Barry Arnold, a Williston Park resident with a practice in Valley Stream, appeared for his arraignment hearing at the U.S. District Court in Central Islip Thursday afternoon.

Prosecutors allege that between October 2016 and August 2020, Arnold prescribed oxycodone, Percocet, and Xanax to women — some of whom were severely drug-addicted — in exchange for sex. They were not his patients and the prescriptions were not for legitimate medical reasons, according to court documents.

The 70-year-old dentist faces 28 counts of distribution of controlled substances, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. If convicted, he could spend up to 20 years in prison.

Following his arraignment on Thursday, officials said Arnold was released on a $200,000 bond on the following conditions:

• He is subjected to home detention and electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet)
• He must surrender his DEA registration for writing controlled substance prescriptions
• He must stay away from witnesses and alleged victims

Arnold can still practice as a dentist, according to officials, but he is precluded from performing oral surgery and administering nitrous oxide. He is allowed to administer Novocain to his patients, though.

He is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 29.