HOUSTON – An unlicensed dentist is facing multiple charges after a woman’s teeth were damaged during a procedure, according to court records.
Cesar Augusto Perez Mejia, 47, has been charged with practicing dentistry without a license and aggravated assault.
On Sept. 30, 2024, the woman went to Perez’s home at the La Plaza Apartments for dental surgery. Mejia reportedly used pliers to pull a tooth, which caused it to break and damaged her jaw.
KPRC2 Reporter Corley Peel spoke with the woman who said Perez put her under anesthesia and she had to go to the hospital.
Neighbors told Corley that Perez would charge patients $250 and up.
SEE ALSO: Fake Houston dentist charged after unlicensed root canal leaves patient in pain
Records show Perez was currently in custody on an ICE hold after he was arrested in February on an unrelated aggravated assault charge. Corley spoke with Alejandra Moncada who said Perez was her neighbor and he attacked her at the apartment complex. Moncada spoke in Spanish, but we used a translator.
“I was sitting down, and he came out with a screwdriver and was assaulting me. We had to call the cops and when the cops came, he was still on a rampage,” said Moncada.
She said Perez confused her with a different woman.
“He told me that my older daughter shattered his car windows. The thing is that’s not true, because my kids are small,” said Moncada.
In recent months, The American Dental Association has been stepping up warnings about the risks of dental procedures performed by unlicensed individuals. Improper dental work can cause a range of health problems, including severe pain, nerve damage, and tooth loss. Performing dental work without an appropriate license is illegal, the ADA notes.
READ: ‘Broken my bone’: Woman who had root canal by fake Houston dentist describes pain, botched work
Dentists and hygienists are licensed by state governments, which also define the work dental assistants can perform. However, in all cases, veneers and other dental procedures must be supervised by a licensed dentist.
How can you find legitimate dental providers?
The ADA maintains a website detailing the training and licensing requirements for dentists across the U.S. Most states also maintain websites where you can lookup and verify licensure information and find any past disciplinary actions for dentists and other health professionals.
READ: Don’t fall for fake dentists offering veneers and other dental work on social media
The Associated Press attributed to this article.