Couple arrested, accused of operating fraudulent dental practice in Tulsa apartment

A woman and her husband are behind bars after the Oklahoma State Board of Dentistry says she was operating a fake dental practice out of her Tulsa apartment.

Search Warrant Leads to Discovery

Investigators served a search warrant at the apartment on Wednesday, located near 61st and Garnett. The state dental board says they discovered the fraudulent practice through a complaint after a former patient went to a real dentist and learned that the treatment they received from the woman was not correct.

Dental Tools and Drugs Found in Apartment

Investigators arrested Carol Gutierrez Herrera after they say they found a dental chair, tools, and drugs set up inside the apartment. Agents said they had to kick down the door to serve the search warrant. Herrera and her husband were reportedly operating a dental practice without a license.

Undercover Operation Reveals at Least 40 Patients

The discovery came after a former patient filed a complaint. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) served the warrant after a joint undercover operation with the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry and Homeland Security.

“We started working with the Bureau of Narcotics and HSC to work on the case. And so today, we had someone go in undercover and be treated. We believe there are at least 40 or more patients that we know of who have been treated here,” said Susan Rogers, executive director of the State Board of Dentistry.

Rogers said cases like this pose a significant danger to the public.

“You have unsanitary conditions, no health history taken, and all kinds of bad things can happen,” she said. “Chances are, if they are giving you medication, it’s illegal medication. And who knows where it came from or what’s in it — it could have come from outside the country.”

OBN Director Donnie Anderson also expressed concern, saying in a statement: “For someone to perform medical procedures and administer drugs in this manner is an extreme and potentially life-threatening disregard for the health and safety of the vulnerable patients in their care.”

Charges Pending

As for the charges Herrera is facing, Rogers says time will tell.

“I know the charge of practicing dentistry without a license is one of the charges that will be sought. There are several other potential charges that will be determined based on the search warrant,” she said.

Rogers also mentioned that Oklahoma is one of only four states across the country where the Board of Dentistry can take legal action against fraudulent practices like this.

Currently, Herrera and her husband are both facing charges of having a gun while committing a felony and obstructing justice. Herrera is also charged with having a gun while being in the U.S. illegally.