A woman in New York, Yolany Y. Mejia Carranza, was arrested for pretending to be a dentist and performing intricate dental procedures without a license, as per the Suffolk County Police Department. Carranza, 55, was found to be running an illegal dental office out of her home, which was uncovered during a search on March 13. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina shared that the investigation began after reports of patients being harmed, including one case of partial facial paralysis due to severe nerve damage.
Authorities suspect that Carranza was specifically targeting the Hispanic community, many of whom were uninsured and possibly undocumented. They are encouraging other potential victims to come forward, emphasizing that immigration status will not be questioned. Carranza has been charged with three counts of Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, a Class E felony.
It was revealed that Carranza had been operating illegally for eight years and may have previously had an unauthorized dental practice at another location on Long Island. Despite neighbors describing her as “normal” and unaware of her dental activities, Carranza pleaded not guilty and is awaiting her next court date on April 1.
