A New York woman was determined to get her money by any means necessary, but her illegal business has landed her right in the slammer.
Gladys Serrano, 70, from Long Island, was charged with unauthorized practice of a profession after she was found to be “practicing dentistry from the kitchen of her apartment without a license,” according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities, who searched her home with a warrant, discovered she was allegedly running a dentistry operation in her one-bedroom apartment, despite being unlicensed. It was reported that authorities found “a curtain hanging in the kitchen and a patient chair positioned near a sink, with drawers full of dental instruments that appeared to be used, impression molds, extraction tools, tartar scrapers, and a large container containing what appeared to be numerous empty vials of medication and used dental needles,” per the district attorney’s press release. Police did discover a diploma from a dental school, but it was reportedly dated 1986.
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So How Did She Get Caught?
According to Fox 5, she was alerted to the feds by an angry customer following an alleged botched extraction. The patient claimed she originally came in for one extraction but had five taken out due to them being rotten, costing a whopping $2,000 in total. The patient stated she was “bleeding profusely” after the botched procedure and was only offered a paper towel.
Despite getting the work done at Serrano’s home, it was her overall experience that made the woman become “very suspicious” of Serrano’s credentials.
Authorities could not match her license to any dental practice and they strongly believe Serrano’s patients were primarily those who were uninsured or just could not afford dental care.
As a result of the alleged crime, Serrano was arrested. However, she was released on Tuesday and is now required to undergo electronic monitoring. Additionally, she had to turn in her passport. She’s due back in court on January 8. If convicted, she faces up to eight years behind bars.
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