NEWARK
– The Newark Police Department, working
with investigators from the Division of Consumer
Affairs’ Enforcement Bureau, on July
20 arrested two men for unlicensed practice
of dentistry, the ninth and tenth such arrests
in northern New Jersey within the past year.
Unlicensed
individuals operating out of apartments, basements,
and dental laboratories have performed dental
procedures and also administered prescription
medications through injections or by dispensing
prescription drugs. Patients have sustained
injuries that included broken teeth that were
not fully extracted, unconsciousness following
injection of anesthesia and infections.
“Our
Enforcement Bureau investigators are teaming
up with local police departments to shut these
so-called ‘dentists’ down. The
public’s health, safety and welfare
is clearly being put at risk when unlicensed
individuals attempt to practice dentistry,”
Attorney General Anne Milgram said.
Unlicensed
practice of dentistry is a third-degree crime
under the state’s criminal code. The
Board of Dentistry within the Division can
assess civil penalties.
“The
licensing requirements established by the
Board of Dentistry ensure that those treating
patients have the education and skills to
do so,” said David Szuchman, Consumer
Affairs Director. “Patients must understand
the needless risk they take when they go to
an unlicensed person for dental work.”
Newark
Police arrested Carlos Bello and Aristoteles
Berenzon and charged both with unlicensed
practice of dentistry.
The
previous undercover investigations conducted
by Enforcement Bureau investigators and local
police departments that resulted in arrests
for unlicensed practice of dentistry are as
follows:
-
Marly Vasquez was arrested
by the Jersey City Police Department on
July 8, 2009. A second person, Francisco
R. Macias, was charged with conspiracy to
practice unlicensed dentistry and possession
of a prescription legend drug;
- Ramon
Quevedo was arrested by the Union
City Police Department on March 26, 2009;
-
Libia Marcos was arrested
by the Garfield Police Department on March
18, 2009 and also charged with obtaining
prescription drugs without a prescription
and possession of hypodermic syringes;
-
Carlos L. Ferreira was
arrested by the Elizabeth Police Department
on February 4, 2009;
-
Luis Ponce was arrested by the West New
York Police Department on November 7, 2008
and also charged with possession of prescription
legend drugs;
-
Alvaro Velez-Naranjo was
arrested by the North Bergen Police Department
on November 6, 2008 and was also charged
with three counts of possession of a Controlled
Dangerous Substance (prescription drug)
and possession of hypodermic syringes;
-
Luis Eduardo Gallo was
arrested by the Union City Police Department
on July 17, 2008. He was indicted on September
23, 2008 by a Grand Jury.
(Gallo
was working in the office of a licensed dentist,
Vinod S. Brahmbhatt. Dr. Brahmbhatt faces
disciplinary action by the Board of Dentistry.)
Consumers
who suspect an unlicensed person is offering
service that only a licensed dentist can legally
perform can contact the state Board of Dentistry
at 973-504-6405. Complaints can be filed online
at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/complaint/dentcom.pdf
.
Consumers
on limited budgets who are in need of dental
services have options for treatment, including
becoming a patient at the New Jersey Dental
School in Newark or going to a community health
clinic that offers dental services.
The
New Jersey Dental School is part of the University
of Dentistry and Medicine of New Jersey and
services are performed by predoctoral or postgraduate
students who work under the direction of faculty
members who are licensed dentists. For more
information, call 973-972-7370.
Online
information about available dental health
clinics can be viewed at www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/newborn/documents/dental_directory.pdf
.
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