70-Year-Old Fake Dentist Caught Pulling Teeth in NY Kitchen for $2K!
In a jaw-dropping twist that sounds like a plot from a thriller, a 70-year-old woman from Long Island has been accused of transforming her humble kitchen into a makeshift dental clinic. With a disturbing flair for unlicensed practice, she allegedly pulled five teeth from a patient who forked over nearly $2,000 for her dubious “services,” according to prosecutors.
Gladys Serrano, residing in Hempstead, was recently charged with criminal offenses related to her unauthorized dental operations, which unrolled in her cramped one-bedroom apartment on Greenwich Street, as stated by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
“Practicing dentistry without proper authorization poses an incredibly serious risk to public health and safety,” emphasized Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly. “This defendant’s alleged home operation endangered the well-being of at least one person in need of dental care.”
The saga began when a woman, seeking a simple tooth extraction, reached out to Serrano based on a referral. What was supposed to be a single dental procedure spiraled into a harrowing ordeal on July 26, where the alleged quack dentist informed her she needed to have five teeth extracted due to severe decay.
In a shocking display of unprofessionalism, Serrano proceeded with the extractions, handing the victim paper towels to soak up the alarming amount of blood and suggesting she rinse with saltwater as aftercare. But the nightmare didn’t stop there — Serrano claimed the woman would need a dental bridge, luring her back to the kitchen clinic multiple times between August and December, leaving her with a hefty bill of $1,950 without ever delivering a fitting solution.
Despite repeated attempts to create a dental bridge, the victim left each visit empty-handed, as Serrano failed to provide a suitable fit. During those five long months, she continued to burn through her savings, handing over a staggering $1,950 for the dubious services.
In a subsequent search of Serrano’s apartment, investigators uncovered the horrifying truth: A curtain separated her so-called dental office from the rest of the living space, along with a patient chair awkwardly placed next to the sink. Drawers overflowed with used dental tools, impression molds, and an alarming array of medications, including vials for antibiotics and anesthetics.
Serrano, who pleaded not guilty during her recent arraignment, faces a count of unauthorized practice of a profession, a class E felony. The judge has ordered her to wear electronic monitoring, surrender her passport, and refrain from any travel beyond state lines.
While only one victim has been officially identified, authorities suspect there may be others who fell prey to Serrano’s unlicensed operations. If you or someone you know has been affected, please reach out to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office of Immigrant Affairs at 516-571-7756.
If convicted, this alleged “dentist” could be looking at a maximum of four years behind bars. Her next court appearance is scheduled for January 8, 2025. Stay tuned as this shocking story unfolds!