70-Year-Old Fake Dentist Caught Pulling Teeth in LI Kitchen for $2K!
In a jaw-dropping twist that sounds straight out of a crime thriller, a 70-year-old woman from Long Island has allegedly transformed her cozy kitchen into a makeshift dental practice, performing tooth extractions that would make any real dentist cringe. Prosecutors claim she extracted five teeth from an unsuspecting patient who forked over nearly $2,000 for what can only be described as a dental nightmare.
Meet Gladys Serrano, a woman facing serious criminal charges for her questionable practice right out of her one-bedroom apartment on Greenwich Street in Hempstead, as reported by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
“Practicing dentistry without the proper credentials is not just illegal; it’s a blatant threat to public health and safety,” declared Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly. “This alleged operation out of a home endangers the lives of at least one person seeking genuine dental care.”
The saga began when a woman, desperate for a tooth extraction, reached out to Serrano—who appears to lack any legitimate dental license—after receiving a referral. What was supposed to be a simple extraction on July 26 quickly escalated into the extraction of five rotting teeth, all orchestrated in a kitchen divided by a flimsy curtain.
During the harrowing experience, Serrano apparently handed her patient paper towel pieces to soak up the blood and instructed her to rinse with salt water. But that wasn’t the end of the misadventure. Serrano convinced the woman that she would need a dental bridge, leading her back to this makeshift practice multiple times from August through December, each time without delivering a satisfactory solution.
Despite Serrano taking impressions and making multiple attempts to create a bridge, the victim never received a fitting solution. By the end of five months, the woman had handed over a staggering total of $1,950 to Serrano for what turned out to be a series of botched procedures.
When authorities finally investigated Serrano’s apartment, they discovered the unsettling reality of her operation: a patient chair awkwardly placed next to a sink, a curtain separating treatment from the rest of the home, and drawers packed with used dental tools, impression molds, extraction instruments, and an alarming array of medical supplies—including empty medication vials and used dental needles.
Despite the chaos, Serrano pleaded not guilty to one count of unauthorized practice of a profession, a class E felony, during her recent arraignment. Judge Charles G. McQuair has since released her to pre-trial services, complete with electronic monitoring, and has placed restrictions on her travel.
While only one victim has come forward, authorities believe there may be more individuals who have sought dental care from Serrano, raising concerns about the extent of her alleged malpractice.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of this dubious dental practice, you’re urged to reach out to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office of Immigrant Affairs at 516-571-7756.
As this case unfolds, Serrano is set to return to court on January 8, 2025, with the possibility of spending up to four years behind bars if convicted. Stay tuned as we follow this bizarre and unsettling story!
