was a Mormon church branch president and dentist in Woodland, California; accused by 27 former female patients of touching them inappropriately in office visits; found guilty in 2009 of 11 felony counts and one misdemeanor count of sexual battery for sexual abuse of several of his female patients; sentenced to six years in California state prison; required to register for life as a sex offender

Case Summary

Mark Anderson was a branch president of the Spanish speaking branch (Rio Vista Branch) in the Woodland California Stake (previously known as Davis Stake).

At the time of his arrest in the late 2000s, Anderson was active and serving as a stake clerk or stake high council member.

The Dental Board of California suspended Anderson’s dentistry license in 2007, after he was accused of inappropriate conduct. The first patient to come forward contacted authorities in September 2007. Eventually, 26 women told similar stories to Woodland police.

Anderson’s dental business partner was Bill Marble, the then-current stake president.

Anderson was found guilty of sexually abusing several of his dental patients.

Women who testified at trial described Anderson reaching into their bras and making comments about their breasts.

Anderson defended his actions by saying the touching was treatment for a painful jaw condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

In October 2007, Anderson was indicted by a grand jury on 20 felony counts and one misdemeanor count of sexual battery based on the testimony of 14 women.

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Mark Anderson Mormon sex abuse details

On the 27th of August, 2007, a 28-year-old female patient of Dr. Anderson’s was reclining in his dentist’s chair. She had made an appointment to be fitted for a mouthpiece that would hopefully stop the damage her nocturnal teeth grinding was causing. Dr. Anderson briefly massaged her neck, jaw line and upper chest before asking her, “Hey, did you get a breast augmentation?”

Somewhat surprised at the question, the woman answered that she had, indeed had some implants put in.

Mark Anderson replied, “They did a good job,” as he reached into her shirt and fondled her breasts for a few moments before slipping his hand under her bra and playing with her nipples.

Mark Anderson Mormon abuse case: conviction details

Anderson was convicted on March 10, 2009 by a jury of 11 counts of felony sexual battery and 1 misdemeanor.

Mark Anderson sex crime case: sentencing details

Anderson was sentenced on April 24, 2009 to six years in prison.

He was released three years later.
He is a registered sex offender that does not have his photo or address listed on https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/ because of a loop hole, only law enforcement have access to that information.

Sources
  1. Dr. Mark K. Anderson
    view source details | 16 Oct 2007 | People You'll See in Hell
  2. Woodland dentist guilty of 12 counts of molesting women patients
    view source details | 11 Mar 2009 | Daily Democrat
  3. Crime Q&A
    view source details | 22 Apr 2018 | Sacramento Bee
  4. Yo! My Teeth Are Up Here!
    view source details | 30 Jan 2023 | Listen Notes
  5. Can dentist convicted of sexual battery practice again after serving his time?
    view source details | 18 Apr 2018 | The Sacramento Bee
  6. Sex Offender Not Appearing On Megan's Law Due To Loophole
    view source details | 7 Jun 2012 | CBS News Sacramento
Sources excerpts

Videos: Mark Anderson Mormon sex crime case

    • Video title: Dentist Apologizes To Victim In Call
    • Video description: Mark Anderson, a Woodland dentist convicted of sexual battery, apologized to one of his victims.

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