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Authorities Bust Unlicensed Dentist Operation

State and Tulare County Authorities Raid Dentist Office Near Earlimart

POSTED: 12:05 am PDT July 7, 2009
UPDATED: 10:47 am PDT July 7, 2009

Unsanitized equipment, hundreds of flies and X-ray materials kept in a coffee cup, that's what investigators with the Dental Board of California say they found at an unlicensed dental office in a rural area near Earlimart on Monday.

Two women and a man were arrested on charges of conspiracy and unlicensed practice of dentistry.

The operation was based out of a home converted into a dental office, where investigators found three dental chairs and an X-ray machine.

Investigators said these kinds of operations are fairly common throughout the state and actually cost more than a regular, licensed dentist. This puts patients at risk for disease and illnesses.

At the time of the bust, 20 patients were in the waiting room including adults and children, all of whom were Mexican migrants.

Patients were paying cash for things like extractions and even braces, at the cost of about $1,500.

Investigators also found a handgun and possibly controlled substances.
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