Magistrates' Court was told that dentist Clark Godwin made a $481 insurance claim for root canal treatment on Deborah Bailey. An incorrect amount appeared in an article in Saturday's newspaper.

A 40-year-old dentist admitted in Magistrates' Court yesterday that he filed false insurance claims in the names of four of his patients.

But Dentist Jerome (Clark) Godwin denied he had any criminal intent.

He is charged with four counts of defrauding Somers Isles Insurance Company Ltd. by submitting false dental claims.

Crown Counsel Mr. Peter DeJulio alleged that Godwin tried to claim insurance for dental work never performed on four patients: Deborah Bailey, Grajai Smith, Marsha Foley and Sherman Wolffe.

Sandra Rose, a dental claims adjuster for Somers Isles Insurance, said her job was to make sure everything was in order. Rose said she became suspicious because Godwin did not complain, like most dentists, when she refused part of a claim.

She said for one patient, Wolffe, Godwin claimed $2,008. "Godwin did a bridge for Mr. Wolffe but he was not covered for this,'' she said. She paid Godwin $400 of the $2,008 claim.

"Usually when I decline a portion of a claim they will have someone call and inquire why it wasn't paid.'' Rose said one of the patients involved, Deborah Bailey, told her the $747 root canal treatment Godwin claimed, had never been performed on her.

Aside from Rose, who testified in person, witnesses statements were read into the record by Police yesterday.

Donna Ann Edwards, Godwin's secretary from 1988 to 1989, said everything in his dental office appeared to run normally. Because she did not know the dental codes for the insurance claim forms, Godwin would tell her what to put on them, she said.

Rena L. Henry, a receptionist for Godwin from 1990 to 1991 said patients who visited the office would sign blank insurance forms.

Patient Marsha Foley, said: "I was always asked to sign blank insurance forms, usually two, after I had an appointment.'' After she had work done she was informed of the cost by the insurance company, she said.

"It did occur to me that the amount seemed very high with the treatment I had received,'' she testified. "Each visit usually only last 15 minutes.'' And Foley said she never received a root canal claimed by Godwin.

Rose reported her suspicions to Det. Con. Gary Wilson of the Police Fraud Unit in October of 1991.

On October 22, Godwin's office was searched and appointment diaries and a fee schedule were seized by Police.

The four patients were examined by independent dentists: Bermuda Dental Association chairman Dr. Kenneth Snaith, Dr. Richard Cann, Dr. Ian Campbell and Dr. John Dickinson.

Dr. Snaith and several other dentists examined Foley. They found no sign of the dentures and root canal mentioned in Godwin's report, Snaith said. They had similar findings with Bailey, Wolffe, and Smith.

Godwin, representing himself, told the court that all dentists "cross charged''. He asked why he was being singled out.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis extended bail for Godwin until the trial resumes on July 3.