Thread: TX: 'Underground Dentists' Provide Unauthorized Care

The Video at source includes the information that most of the people who patronize these "underground dentists" are "undocumented immigrants", and that some of these dentists are "licensed to practice in other countries" but not in the United States.

'Underground dentists' provide unauthorized care
by MONIKA DIAZ

WFAA

Posted on May 6, 2010 at 10:05 PM

Updated yesterday at 12:14 AM

Related:
File a complaint with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
http://www.tsbde.state.tx.us/index.php? ... &Itemid=65

It's against the law to practice dentistry without a license in Texas, but in neighborhoods around Dallas-Fort Worth — in homes, apartments and the back rooms of businesses — some people are running underground oral care operations.

"It's almost kind of like a clubhouse, where you do the secret knock and everybody knows who to go to," said Dallas County Assistant District Attorney, Raquel "Rocky" Jones.

Jones is investigating five cases involving unlicensed dentists. She told us they use real chairs, supplies, drills and anesthesia.

"I think I have seen everything but them actually making braces," Jones said.

In some cases, the people involved are lab technicians or hygienists doing work beyond their roles. Others are dentists certified in other countries, but have no intention of getting licensed in the U.S.

They target low-income families without insurance. Jones says most of the patients are undocumented immigrants.

"They are getting root canals, cavities filled. This is very dangerous because you are dealing with the human mouth," Jones said.

No procedure is too dangerous. The unlicensed dentists use anesthesia or heavily sedate their patients with drugs.

Dr. David Tillman, a licensed dental surgeon in Fort Worth, says families who go to these underground dentists are taking a huge risk.

"You can cause an infection. You can cause them to get sick. You can cause them to potentially die," Tillman said.

Investigators say the cash-only operations are also are a magnet for drugs and other crimes.

"We know that they are taking anywhere between $600 to $800 per patient, so yes, you will have the robbery, the theft, that will come with that," Jones said.

Earlier this year, Dallas Police responded to a robbery at a house in central Dallas. The suspects took off with hundreds of dollars and cell phones. The victims were waiting to see an unlicensed dentist.

According to the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, illegal dentistry is a growing problem.

A state investigator told News 8 "we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg".

News 8 has learned that unlicensed dentists are out of the dental board's jurisdiction, so cases are funneled to district attorneys.

State officials said two cases were sent to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office in the last year, but no one has been prosecuted so far.

Dallas County has received 11 cases in the last three years.

District attorney offices are already dealing with a backlog of cases and a lack of resources. Jones is the only investigator in Dallas County.

"We just don't have agents to investigate them, so imagine if there was more money put into it," she said.

Jones would like to see a change in the law. She told us illegal dentists can work for years without getting caught.

"They know what they are doing," Jones said. "We've had some situations where they will put a phony dental license on the wall for the public, but they know good and well that they are not a licensed dentist."

The Texas Dental Association and other agencies are aware of the problem.

"We know that we can help find a solution to it and work towards that," Dr. Tillman said, adding that one of the priorities is to reach out to the patients who are going to these so-called dentists.

But that's also a challenge. Victims rarely come forward.

"There's a lot of loyalty because they felt like, 'Hey, this person helped me when no one would,'" Jones said.

"Adriana" is one of of those patients. She agreed to talk to us, but only if we concealed her identity.

She didn't want to give us any information about her dentist or get him in trouble. She's never had a problem.

"We know that we are taking a risk, but we are willing to take it, because doing it the right way is sometimes too expensive," said Adriana, speaking in Spanish.

It's a secret that's too good to reveal, but investigators say it's one that could cost patients dearly in the long run.

Dallas Morning News staff writer Jon Nielsen contributed to this report.

E-mail mdiaz@wfaa.com

http://www.wfaa.com/news/health/Undergr ... 39424.html

Forwarding this article to US Congress.