Ellsworth dentist Peter F. Meyer has entered into a consent agreement with the Maine Board of Dental Examiners that reinstates his license to practice but imposes stringent conditions on his professional activities.

Meyer, who according to the agreement admits to a history of addiction to alcohol and opiates, voluntarily surrendered his license in October 2007. At the time, Meyer was participating in a substance abuse treatment program for medical professionals through the Maine Medical Association. The board was notified by program officials that he had relapsed, abusing the narcotic pain medication hydrocodone, and posed a threat to the public.

A subsequent investigation of his practice determined that Meyer had been writing prescriptions for his patients and picking up the medication himself, according to the consent agreement.

The investigation also found that the dentist’s behavior had been “erratic” and that he had failed to maintain “a sanitary and safe environment” in compliance with board guidelines and standards established by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

In June of this year, Meyer applied for reinstatement of his license. On Aug. 15, reinstatement was granted, but with numerous conditions. These include a prohibition against obtaining a license to prescribe narcotic medications for his patients. He also is forbidden from keeping narcotic medications at his office or home, except those that may be prescribed for him by a personal physician familiar with his history of abuse. He must enroll in substance abuse treatment and submit to random urine testing for the presence of illicit substances.

The agreement also stipulates that Meyer employ a board-approved consultant to evaluate his dental practice for record-keeping, patient management, office procedures, infection control and OSHA compliance. He also must “take all steps necessary to keep his office free of vermin” and not allow any animals, including pets, in his practice.

Failure to comply with the many terms of the agreement will result in automatic suspension and possible permanent loss of Meyer’s license to practice in Maine, according to the consent agreement.

Meyer is a 1976 graduate of the Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee and was licensed to practice in Maine that same year.