SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A dentist was arrested Thursday for performing what he called a "medical breast examination" on a 23-year-old patient as she was having a dental examination, San Jose police announced Friday.

Dr. Benva Lazar, 56, was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on charges of "sexual battery by fraudulent representation that the touching served a professional purpose." The incident allegedly took place Sept. 18 at Lazar's office at 5710 Cahalan Ave., according to police.

Lazar apparently expressed concern to the victim about her health and the rise in cancer diagnoses. He then carried out what he said was a medical breast examination on the victim and emphasized the importance of self-examinations, police said.

During the investigation authorities said they learned that Lazar may have performed similar examinations on other patients.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to call Detective Dawn Marchetti of the San Jose Police Department's Sexual Assault Investigation Unit at (408) 277-4102. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP.