70-year-old illegally performed dentistry in her apartment’s kitchen, NY officials say
A 70-year-old New York woman is facing charges after officials said she practiced dentistry without a license in the kitchen of her one-bedroom apartment.
Gladys Serrano of Hempstead was charged with one count of unauthorized practice of a profession, according to a Dec. 10 news release from the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. She pleaded not guilty, officials said.
McClatchy News reached out to Serrano’s attorney Dec. 12 for comment but did not immediately hear back.
According to authorities, a woman was referred to Serrano for a single tooth extraction.
During the appointment July 26, which took place in Serrano’s kitchen sectioned off with a curtain, the woman was told she would need five teeth pulled because they were rotting.
Serrano also told the woman she would need a bridge, according to the attorney’s office.
Serrano is accused of extracting the woman’s teeth, giving her “pieces of paper towel to absorb the large amount of blood coming from the area” and telling her to rinse with salt water, officials said.
Between July 26 and Dec. 4, the woman visited Serrano several times but “never received a bridge that fit her mouth,” officials said in the release.
The victim paid Serrano $1,950 for dental services during that time, officials said.
Officers executing a search warrant of Serrano’s home found a patient chair near the kitchen sink, drawers full of used dental tools and “numerous empty vials of medication and used dental needles,” officials said.
Lidocaine, Amoxicillin and other drugs were also found in her home, according to the district attorney’s office.
Officials said Serrano is not licensed to practice dentistry in New York, according to a state records search.
“If you believe you or someone you know has been victimized by Gladys Serrano, please contact the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office of Immigrant Affairs at 516-571-7756,” officials said.
Hempstead is located on Long Island and is about a 35-mile drive east from New York City.
This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 2:52 PM with the headline "70-year-old illegally performed dentistry in her apartment’s kitchen, NY officials say."
