A prominent Wollongong surgeon tricked a teenage patient into attempting an indecent act by telling the boy it was for a medical study, Wollongong Local Court heard yesterday.

Dr Arthur Gifford Bosanquet offered the boy placement in the bogus study to offset the cost of dental work the boy's mother could not afford.

Bosanquet, 54, of Jamberoo, pleaded guilty yesterday in Wollongong Local Court to inciting a person 16 years and over to commit an act of indecency at the boy's home on May 4, 2007.

The court heard Bosanquet was a well-respected oral and maxillofacial surgeon with a number of practices in the Illawarra and the Southern Highlands.

Bosanquet first met the 16-year-old victim in 2006 when he operated on him for injuries sustained in an assault.

During a follow-up appointment in February, 2007 Bosanquet told the boy's mother her son needed molar teeth removed, according to a statement of facts tendered to the court.

When the mother said she could not afford it, Bosanquet said the victim could participate in a university study.

In the following months Bosanquet contacted the victim a number of times in an attempt to convince the boy to participate in certain activities he had outlined. The police statement said the study involved the boy masturbating.

"The victim was reluctant to participate in the actions described by the accused, however he eventually agreed to the request as he felt pressured to do so," police said.

Bosanquet contacted the victim by phone three times in April and May to try to set up a meeting but the victim repeatedly came up with excuses.

On May 4, Bosanquet contacted the boy and asked "do you want me to come over to do the thing", police said.

The victim told Bosanquet his mother was not at home, but the doctor said it didn't matter.

Bosanquet went to the address and suggested they go to the boy's bedroom, police said.

He asked the boy to lie across his bed before he took a quantity of blood from his arm.