Drill, Deceive, and Destroy: Texas Woman Posed as Dentist, Left Patients in Agony
This fake Houston dentist performed botched root canals, leaving victims in agony—now police are looking for more. 🌐 #News #HoustonTX #Texas #Crime
HOUSTON, TX – When you sit down for a root canal, you expect the person holding the drill knows what they’re doing. But for at least two patients in Katy, Texas, that trust was shattered when they discovered their so-called dentist wasn’t licensed at all.
What should have been routine dental care became a nightmare, leaving them with botched procedures and serious pain. Now, Houston police are on the hunt for other potential victims.
Unlicensed Dentist’s Operations in Katy Raise Alarming Questions
Angelica Vivas, 41, is facing two felony charges for allegedly practicing dentistry and dental surgery without a license. After a probable cause hearing on Wednesday, she was released on a $50,000 bond.
Authorities say Vivas posed as a licensed dentist and set up operations in Katy, a suburb of Houston. Charging documents allege that she put at least two patients under anesthesia and performed invasive procedures, including an attempt at a root canal that went horribly wrong earlier this year.
Patient’s Nightmare: Botched Root Canal Leads to Pain and Surgery
One patient, who asked to remain anonymous, told reporters about her painful experience with Vivas. In February, Vivas removed two healthy molars to access a tooth needing a root canal. Despite this, Vivas was unable to complete the procedure and told the patient there was nothing more she could do. Instead, she handed over pain medication and said the root would eventually come out on its own.
The patient endured severe pain in the following days and sought help from a legitimate dentist. After assessing the damage, the dentist urged the patient to report Vivas to the police. The patient eventually needed corrective surgery to address the harm allegedly caused by Vivas.
Undercover Sting Exposes Fake Dentist Offering Dangerous Procedures
Police conducted an undercover sting to confirm the reports, sending officers to Vivas while posing as prospective patients. During these visits, Vivas claimed to be a licensed dentist and offered to perform dental procedures on the officers.
As part of her release, Vivas is prohibited from advertising or performing any dentistry-related services.
The Houston Police Department is urging anyone who received treatment from Vivas to come forward. Investigators are particularly interested in identifying additional victims who may have been subjected to unsafe or incomplete dental work.
Authorities warn the public to remain cautious and verify the credentials of any medical or dental professional before undergoing treatment.
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