New York office manager arrested for posing as dentist

A 45-year-old White Plains woman is facing charges for allegedly posing as a dentist and performing medical procedures on unsuspecting patients. She was arraigned in a New York court on April 16.

Authorities said the woman, who worked as an office manager at Ultimate Dental Care in the Bronx, performed dental extractions, a root canal and other medical procedures when her employer, a licensed dentist, was away from the office. She allegedly referred to herself as a doctor and preyed on uninsured patients, offering reduced prices if she was paid in cash. One woman was reportedly pregnant when the defendant performed a dental procedure on her. The defendant’s actions were discovered when some of the people she worked on experienced complications and phoned Ultimate Dental Care, reaching her boss. She was then fired.

The defendant claimed she obtained dental training in her native country of Albania. Her Bronx patients reportedly suffered infections and ongoing pain. She has been charged with reckless endangerment, assault and conducting an unauthorized practice. She was also charged with larceny for allegedly trying to bilk $20,000 from her employer when she was fired. Her bail was set at $20,000.

Anyone facing felony charges, such as assault and reckless endangerment, may face severe penalties, including jail or prison sentences and fines. However, a defendant may benefit by consulting with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after the arrest. An attorney could carefully review the details of the case to identify potential defense strategies. In some cases, a lawyer may recommend negotiating with prosecutors for an arrangement that would involve a plea of guilty to a lesser offense in exchange for a dismissal of the more serious charges.

Source: WABC-TV, “Office Manager Accused of Posing as Dentist in the Bronx,” Rob Nelson, April 16, 2015