GRAND FORKS (AP)- A dentist is appealing his six-month suspension for inappropriately touching female patients.

Dr. Greg Frokjer is appealing the suspension to state district court.

Rita Sommers, an executive director of state Board of Dental Examiners, said she could not comment because the appeal is pending.

The seven-member dental board decided in September to suspend Frokjer, after four women said he touched them inappropriately during exams. Board members rejected a recommendation from an administrative law judge to dismiss all complaints against Frokjer.

The board also decided Frokjer should pay legal costs and take a course to help him be more sensitive to issues involving female patients.

The dentist's attorney, Kerry Rosenquist, argued in court Tuesday that Frokjer's rights were violated and that he should have access to information the board used, including dentists who were consulted, in deciding to suspend him.

The board "found that (Frokjer) groped and sexually assaulted these women," said Doug Barr, an attorney for the board.

Rosenquist asked Judge Lawrence Jahnke to rule on whether the dental board should provide more information on how it made its decision. Jahnke said he would rule in a few weeks.

Information from: Grand Forks Herald, http://www.grandforksherald.com