The Houston Police Department in Texas is looking for any additional victims of a woman who allegedly practiced dentistry without a license, even putting patients under anesthesia for "botched" root canals.
Angelica Vivas, 41, is charged with two felony counts of practicing dentistry and dental surgery without a license. During a probably cause hearing Wednesday, she was released on $50,000 bond.
According to charging documents, Vivas allegedly posed as a licensed dentist operating out of Katy, a suburb of Houston, and put at least two patients under anesthesia multiple times. In February, she performed a "botched" root canal on a patient.
That patient, who wished to remain anonymous, told KPRC 2′s Corley Peel that Vivas removed two of her molars in order to reach the tooth that needed a root canal, but ultimately couldn't perform the root canal. Instead, she allegedly said there was nothing more she could do, and sent the patient home with pain medication. Vivas also allegedly told the patient the root would come out on its own.
After experiencing severe pain, the patient visited a real dentist, who urged her to call the police. The patient had to have surgery to correct the problems allegedly caused by Vivas.
Undercover officers visited Vivas posing as prospective patients. She allegedly claimed to be a dentist and offered to perform dental work on the undercover officers.
Under the terms of her bond, Vivas is prohibited from advertising, offering or performing dentistry services.
Police are asking any other potential victims to come forward.
With reporting by TMX
