OKLAHOMA CITY– Authorities in Oklahoma City say they are on the hunt for a woman who claims to be a dentist, but is actually performing illegal dental procedures on dozens of unsuspecting patients.
Victims say Elizabeth Hinosa earned their trust and lured them into her office with the promise of a less expensive dental bill.
Investigators say she performed a variety of procedures and used chemicals including sedation and numbing medication with no training.
Susan Rogers, Executive Director with the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, said, “Hinosa worked at two different offices hired as a Spanish translator and dental assistant. A few years later, she decided to treat patients herself, after hours when the real doctors went home.”
Authorities have received pictures of the work Hinosa performed, including a root canal that was filled with cotton and braces falling off the patient’s teeth.
That patient claimed ‘Dr. Liz’ told her to use chewing gum until she could cough up more cash.
Officials say Hinosa wasn’t alone in the scheme; police say she had a trusted side kick in her daughter, Monica Orozco.
Rogers said, “She got her daughter hired as the receptionist and when people would call in to make an appointment, they would schedule them at a different time and tell them it’s cheaper if they come after hours.”
Investigators allege the pair even forwarded calls from the office to their personal cell phones.
Rogers believes there are about 100 victims; some could have communicable diseases as a result of the treatment.