Three men in Houston are accused of practicing dentistry without a license, authorities said.
Byron Alberto Zelaya, 58, and his son, Bryant Jesus Zelaya, 31, are charged with felony unlawful practice of dentistry, according to documents filed by Jim Leitner, an assistant district attorney for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Byron Zelaya’s nephew, Omar Navarrete-Sevilla, 29, faces the same charge but at a misdemeanor level, according to KTRK-TV.
The man accused told police he was self-taught and had previously worked in a dental lab. Now police are searching for more possible victims to step up. https://t.co/MI2Hh7hNkJ
— ABC13 Houston (@abc13houston) February 3, 2022
The three men were arrested Monday and have since posted bail.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the men have been practicing dentistry without a license required and issued by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
Byron Zelaya told police he was self-taught and had been practicing for about a year, according to KTRK. He added that he previously worked in a dental lab, the television station reported.
The men were reported by a patient who paid $2,000 for a cleaning and brackets in preparation for braces, KTRK reported. The man said he was alarmed by what he called unsanitary conditions in the office, according to the television station.
Thomas O’Brien, a dentist in Houston, told KTRK that it is dangerous to receive dental work from people who do not have the proper training and licensing.
“The results could be life-threatening,” O’Brien told the television station. “You can end up with a mouth deformity of sorts. Teeth don’t grow back. If you fracture someone’s tooth, it’s got to come out. Not only can it kill you, but it can also alter your lifestyle. Proper sterilization of equipment is critical and I would bet money they’re not properly sterilizing instruments.”
O’Brien added that there are low-cost dental clinics available in the area for uninsured patients.
Attempts to reach the Zelayas and Navarrete-Sevilla have been unsuccessful, KTRK reported.
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