JACKSONVILLE — An embattled Florida dentist accused of mistreating young patients, including performing unwanted procedures such as pulling teeth, has been charged with 11 counts of Medicaid fraud.

Some of the former patients who are suing 78-year-old dentist Howard Schneider for malpractice said they’re glad he could now be facing jail time.

“Definitely excited, can’t really express how exactly I felt about it. Excited is all I can say. Justice was served. Definitely in the right area that we are headed and need to be,” former patient’s mother Brandi Motley said.

Motley and her attorney John Phillips say they are pleased with the recent arrest of the pediatric dentist.

“Related to the Medicaid fraud, we haven’t seen the particular allegations but we know of at least one incident where not only was Medicaid charged, but somebody’s credit card was charged for the very same procedure,” Phillips said.

Motley said she took her daughter to Schneider in December to have one tooth checked, but her daughter left with office with bruises, scratches and seven pulled teeth.

Phillips said that story is just one of dozens of malpractice allegations that now have been heard by the state attorney general’s office.

Phillips said his office is handling at least 77 similar cases involving Schneider’s former clients.

“We know of approximately 30 to 32 more that are being considered to be referred to our office. There’s another lawyer who I think has 75 plus,” Phillips said.

State records show that Schneider received $3.9 million in Medicaid reimbursements between 2010 and 2014. Eleven counts of making unauthorized Medicaid claims are being brought against the former dentist.

But Motley said victims like her daughter are going through so much more.

“It’s affects us big time, from the whole situation of her not trusting male figures, including her father, the PTSD, the nightmares at night, the pain in her mouth, trusting the new dentist and ortho, it’s affected her a lot. Her speech at school and at home, her eating habits. In every way possible,” Motley said.

Schneider was released on bond Monday night in connection to the Medicaid fraud allegations.

He closed his dental practices and voluntarily gave up his license to practice dentistry in May.

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