Parker v. Dept. of Registration

Appellant, Wallace J. Parker, who has been licensed to practice dentistry in this State since 1923, has filed separate appeals from two judgments of the superior court of Cook County in cases brought by him under the Administrative Review Act seeking to reverse the orders of the Director of the Department of Registration and Education revoking appellant's license to practice dentistry in the State of Illinois. The superior court decided the issues adversely to appellant in both cases and affirmed the orders of the Department. Since both cases involve the same parties and the same issues they have been consolidated for purposes of this opinion. The cases originated with the filing of separate complaints with the Department against appellant by Charles S. Mallory and Mrs. A. Shapiro. Appellant filed answers to both complaints and hearings were had in the offices of the Department before the Board of Dental Examiners consisting of five licensed dentists. Appellant was represented by counsel in both hearings. The Board found that appellant was guilty of unprofessional conduct and that he had violated certain provisions of section 18 of the Dental Practice Act. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1953, chap. 91, par. 72.) It recommended revocation of his license. The Director entered an order of revocation in accordance with the findings and recommendation of the Board. Appellant's motions for a rehearing were overruled and the actions in the superior court followed. Named as defendants are the Department of Registration and Education, its Director, the original complainants and the individual members of the Board of Examiners. Hearings in the superior court were had upon the record of proceedings before the Department in each case, all as provided by statute. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1953, chap. 110, pars. 272 and 274.) Appellant contends that the findings and conclusions of the administrative agency and the superior court are against the manifest weight of the evidence.