A Houston woman’s routine trip to the dentist turned into a nightmare after an unlicensed man posing as a dentist allegedly used pliers to extract her tooth, leaving her with severe injuries.
A Painful, Botched Procedure
The woman, whose name has not been released, was looking for affordable dental care when she ended up at the home of 47-year-old Cesar Augusto Perez Mejia. Believing him to be a legitimate dentist, she allowed him to perform an extraction.
What should have been a simple dental procedure quickly turned into a horrific ordeal. Mejia, who had no formal training, reportedly used pliers to yank out one of her teeth. Instead of a clean extraction, he shattered the tooth and caused significant damage to her jaw. The woman was left in excruciating pain and later required medical treatment at a hospital.
Arrest and Charges
After the woman reported the incident, authorities launched an investigation. Mejia was arrested and charged with practicing dentistry without a license and aggravated assault. He is currently being held in Harris County Jail on a $90,000 bond.
Houston police say Mejia had been operating an illegal dental practice out of his apartment, charging people $250 or more for procedures. Investigators believe he may have treated multiple patients before his arrest, and they are urging anyone who received dental work from him to come forward.
Neighbors in Shock
Neighbors in the apartment complex were stunned to learn about the illegal dental setup. Some residents recalled seeing people coming and going from his unit, but they never suspected he was running a fake dental clinic.
“I can’t believe someone would trust a guy pulling teeth in his apartment,” one resident said. “That’s terrifying.”
Others pointed out how expensive dental care can be, making people desperate for cheaper alternatives. “Not everyone can afford a real dentist, but this is just scary,” another neighbor added.
This Isn’t the First Time
Unfortunately, cases like this aren’t new. Across the U.S., unlicensed individuals have been caught performing dangerous dental procedures, often leaving their victims with infections, permanent damage, or worse.
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In December 2024, a woman on Long Island was arrested for running an illegal dental clinic out of her kitchen. She pulled multiple teeth from a patient who paid nearly $2,000 for the procedure.
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In 2016, a Florida man was caught extracting teeth and making dentures without anesthesia during house calls.
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In 2001, a Connecticut man was charged for the third time for running a fake dental operation, using pliers to pull teeth from unsuspecting patients.
How to Protect Yourself from Fake Dentists
Authorities are using this case as a reminder to always verify a dentist’s credentials before undergoing treatment. Here’s how you can protect yourself:
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Check for a License – Every legitimate dentist must have a license, which can usually be verified through your state’s dental board website.
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Beware of Non-Professional Settings – Real dental work should be done in a licensed office, not in someone’s apartment, garage, or home.
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Be Suspicious of Low Prices – While dental care can be expensive, deals that seem too good to be true often are. Legitimate dentists follow strict hygiene and safety protocols, which come at a cost.
A Painful Lesson
For the Houston woman who trusted Mejia, the damage is already done. What she thought would be an affordable dental visit turned into a nightmare that left her physically injured and emotionally shaken.
Cases like this highlight the risks of seeking medical care from unlicensed practitioners. While affordable healthcare is a major concern, cutting corners on professional treatment can have serious consequences.