Mark Jerman, a well-known Worthington dentist, has been indicted by a Franklin County grand jury on 16 counts of illegal processing of drug documents.

According Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Ron O’Brien, the indictment alleges that Jerman wrote prescriptions for hydrocodone pills for employees and friends. They would get the prescriptions filled at pharmacies and then deliver the pills to Jerman.

Hydrocodone is a painkiller often sold as Vicodin.

Jerman is not suspected of selling the drugs, O’Brien said.

The illegal activity allegedly occurred between 2006 and 2010, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Arraignment for Jerman is set for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 16.

The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Ohio Board of Dentistry and the Columbus Police Department, according to dentistry board director Lili C. Reitz.

Jerman will continue to have a license to practice until at least February, which is the next meeting of the dental board.

Unlike the board overseeing physicians in Ohio, the dental board does not have summary suspension ability, Reitz said.

She said she expects that the board would vote on an opportunity for a hearing for Jerman during its February meeting.

Jerman, 45, practices with his father, Steve Jerman, at 510 High St. in Worthington.

Mark Jerman lives in Upper Arlington and graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1984. He attended the Ohio State College of Dentistry and graduated with a doctor-of-dental-surgery degree in 1999.

He was named a “top dentist” in the December 2011 issue of Columbus Monthly magazine.