WOODLAND, Calif. -- A Woodland dentist appeared before an administrative law judge Thursday in an effort to lift the interim suspension order on his dental license.

The judge could issue a decision on the license suspension next week, KCRA 3 reported.

Twenty-six women have come forward to say Dr. Mark Anderson touched them inappropriately during office visits.

His attorney argued that Anderson should continue practicing dentistry to support his family, which includes four small children, and to be able to financially mount his own defense.

Anderson would agree to have court-appointed monitors during appointments and to not treat any patients with TMJ, Temporomandibular joint syndrome.

Jeff Phillips, the attorney general's lawyer representing the dental board, argued that Anderson's behavior has escalated, and he has used his authority to gain access to female patients in order to fondle their breasts.

Phillips said that a monitor would not be appropriate because none of Anderson's staff witnessed the alleged misconduct, and that maintaining the suspension order is the only way to protect the public.

"I don't believe allowing him to practice is acceptable," Phillips said.

Anderson's attorney said that despite the 26 women who have come forward with groping allegations, only one is on record with the district attorney's office in Yolo County. That woman has filed a civil suit.