Fake dentist arrested after he removes nine teeth in one sitting
• 23 Apr 2009 •
The Euroweekly News

He admitted to having no qualifications when officers questioned him

Guardia Civil from Nijar have arrested a 27-year-old man from Motril (Granada) accused of practising as a dentist without the proper qualifications. Police officers launched the investigation at the end of March after being alerted to a dentist who had set up practice in San Isidro (Nijar). They were informed that a woman from Campohermoso had been recommended to him by a friend, and on March 29 he paid her a home visit. After one oral examination he extracted nine of her teeth, some of which were expensive implants that were in perfect condition.

After her painful ordeal, the bogus dentist did not provide any evidence of his qualifications, nor did he provide her with an invoice. Instead he made an appointment for the following day to collect the money. As a result of the physical trauma she was subjected to, the woman had to seek medical attention the following day at the casualty unit of the Campohermoso Hospital.

The Guardia Civil investigation led them to locate a converted garage that was being used as a makeshift clinic, and to the fake dentist. An inspection of the premises revealed how he had installed an old barber's chair, and officers found syringes, a drill and even a 50-kilogram bag of plaster. The site lacked all the necessary hygiene and sanitary facilities. During an interview with the bogus dentist, he started displaying signs of nervousness when attempting to answer officers' questions. His apparent nervousness increased even further when officers discovered business cards with his name on, claiming that he was a prosthodontist.

Faced with such a weight of evidence against him, the man admitted to have been practising without qualifications or professional title. He said he had learnt some of the basics from his brother who is a dentist.

Officers remanded him in custody to prevent him from carrying on with his dangerous pretence.

At the time of writing, officers are still waiting for a full statement from the victim, who due to the painful state of her mouth, is unable to speak.