A 70-year-old woman from Long Island, Gladys Serrano, faces accusations of illegally practicing dentistry from her kitchen and extracting five rotting teeth from a patient.
Officials reported that Gladys Serrano was arraigned this week for her underground dental operation in Hempstead, according to the New York Post.
The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office revealed that Serrano ran her unlicensed dental practice out of a one-bedroom apartment on Greenwich Street. A curtain separated her kitchen, which she used as a makeshift dental office, where she allegedly treated at least one patient.
Authorities became aware of the situation after a victim, who paid nearly $2,000 for dental services, reported receiving substandard care from Serrano. The patient initially visited Serrano on July 26 to have a single tooth extracted but was convinced by Serrano that five teeth required removal due to decay.
Despite the extensive procedure, Serrano provided minimal post-extraction care, instructing the patient to bite down on paper towels to stop the bleeding and to rinse with saltwater.
The victim visited Serrano several times between August 16 and December 4, hoping to receive a dental bridge. Despite Serrano's repeated attempts to create and adjust molds, she failed to fit the patient with a functional bridge.
Over five months, Serrano charged the patient a total of $1,950 for her services. Authorities eventually received a report and launched an investigation into the alleged illegal practice.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly emphasized the dangers of unauthorized dental practice, stating, “Practicing dentistry without proper authorization poses an incredibly serious risk to public health and safety.”
Investigators searched Serrano’s apartment and confirmed the setup, uncovering used dental instruments stuffed in drawers, numerous empty medication vials, and used dental needles. They also found boxes of single-use needles and various drugs commonly used in dental procedures, including amoxicillin, Relaflex, and lidocaine.
New York State records revealed that no one named Gladys Serrano holds a license to practice dentistry, solidifying claims of her unauthorized operations.
During Serrano's arraignment, she pleaded not guilty to the charge of unauthorized practice of a profession, a class E felony.
Judge Charles G. McQuair presided over the case, ordered Serrano to surrender her passport, restricted her travel outside New York State, and released her to pre-trial services with electronic monitoring.
If convicted, Serrano could face up to four years in prison. She will return to court on January 8, 2025, as legal proceedings continue.
Although authorities have confirmed only one victim so far, Nassau County officials suspect that more individuals may have received treatment from Serrano. They urge anyone who might have been victimized to contact the DA’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly emphasized the dangers of unlicensed medical practices, warning that such incidents pose serious risks to individuals seeking care.
As the community processes this unsettling incident in Hempstead, local authorities actively investigate the extent of Serrano's illegal activities. They remain concerned about the possibility of additional undisclosed victims who may have suffered from unauthorized and improper medical treatments.
