A Chicago man was charged Friday with practicing dentistry without a license in unincorporated Melrose Park -- including doing root canals, taking X-rays and installing braces, MyFoxChicago.com reported.
Alberto Nunez, 32, was charged with felony practicing dentistry without a license and misdemeanor unlawful possession of hypodermic syringes, sheriff's police said.
Nunez was arrested Thursday for impersonating a dentist and performing various dental procedures on hundreds of patients at a home, sheriff's police said.
Based on a tip, an undercover officer set up an appointment via Nunez' receptionist, police said. Because Nunez saw about 30 patients per week, the officer had to wait a week for an appointment.
Once inside, the officer found a dental chair, dental tools, syringes, and an X-ray machine, police said.
Police stopped a patient who left the office and learned Nunez performed a root canal on him, police said.
Nunez is not registered with the state and told officers he went to dental school in Mexico City, but he could not provide documentation proving completion, police said.
Police believe Nunez has been illegally practicing dentistry for about two years and had worked from previous locations. It remained unclear if patients knew Nunez was unlicensed.
He was issued a $10,000 I-bond and issued a next court date of Sept. 6 in Maywood.
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