SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. (TCN) — A 55-year-old woman stands accused of pretending to be a dentist, operating an illegal business, and injuring patients.
According to Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, officials received multiple tips that Yolany Carranza had injured patients at a dental practice, including one instance of nerve damage and partial facial paralysis. Upon further investigation, police determined Carranza was allegedly performing dental work without a license on Heckscher Avenue in Bay Shore and had previously operated an illegal dental business in Huntington Station.
In a statement obtained by WABC-TV, Catalina said, “I think everyone knows it’s not really fun to go to the dentist, so you can only imagine what this experience was like for her patients.”
Catalina alleges Carranza targeted the Hispanic community, people who didn’t have health insurance, and those who might be in the country illegally. The police commissioner asked other possible victims to come over as they continue the investigation.
Authorities executed a search warrant at a Bay Shore home on March 13 and arrested Carranza. She faces three counts of unauthorized practice of a profession.