Glendale, Ariz., police arrested two women after learning they were operating an illegal dental practice, AZ Family reports.
Mellissa Pavey and Jolene Houchens allegedly performed unlicensed tooth extractions with drills, lasers and surgical tools. The two were never licensed.
Investigators allege the two performed the illegal dental work on five victims. Both are also accused of stealing the identity of a dentist in the area and using the dentist's prescription pad to write prescriptions for a patient.
Before the arrest, Ms. Pavey and Ms. Houchens were indicted on fraudulent schemes and artifices, aggravated assault with a dangerous instrument, theft and identity theft charges.
One patient told reporters about her experience with Ms. Pavey and Ms. Houchens. The patient noted one of the woman refused to give the patient medication after removing her teeth. When the patient pressed one of the woman for medication, the woman pulled out loose pills from her purse and handed them to the patient.
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Mellissa Pavey and Jolene Houchens allegedly performed unlicensed tooth extractions with drills, lasers and surgical tools. The two were never licensed.
Investigators allege the two performed the illegal dental work on five victims. Both are also accused of stealing the identity of a dentist in the area and using the dentist's prescription pad to write prescriptions for a patient.
Before the arrest, Ms. Pavey and Ms. Houchens were indicted on fraudulent schemes and artifices, aggravated assault with a dangerous instrument, theft and identity theft charges.
One patient told reporters about her experience with Ms. Pavey and Ms. Houchens. The patient noted one of the woman refused to give the patient medication after removing her teeth. When the patient pressed one of the woman for medication, the woman pulled out loose pills from her purse and handed them to the patient.
More articles on dentists:
Aspen Dental, InterDent & more: 4 dental companies making headlines
Dentist sent to prison for role in $16.6M medical device fraud scheme — 9 details
Meet the dentists running for Congress in 2018