In the quaint neighborhoods of Long Island, a dangerous facade of unlicensed dentistry has been uncovered, revealing a disturbing trend where two women operated independently out of their homes. Yolany Mejia Carranza, 55, was exposed for running a dental practice from her Bay Shore residence for nearly a decade, while Gladys Serrano, 70, is accused of similar misconduct from her Hempstead apartment kitchen.
Investigations into Carranza's operation came to light after several patients reported injuries from her procedures, one suffering partial facial paralysis. Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina emphasized the peril patients faced, stating "We have one person that suffered partial facial paralysis ... I think her patients were in grave danger." Carranza had a history of practicing illegally, previously operating in Huntington Station, as reported by CBS News New York. She allegedly targeted the uninsured, predominantly within the Hispanic community. Charged with unauthorized practice, Carranza's makeshift clinic has since been condemned.
Meanwhile, not far from Carranza's condemned home office, the Nassau County District Attorney's office charged Serrano after she allegedly extracted five teeth from a victim's mouth, according to ABC7 New York. A search revealed a makeshift dental suite, replete with expired medications registered in Colombia and El Salvador, used dental needles, and other instruments suggestive of unlicensed dentistry.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly stressed the gravity of the issue, cautioning, "It's a dangerous, dangerous street she was walking down. You infect somebody with using one of these tools in their mouth and you could kill them." Some neighbors, however, came to Serrano's defense, like Myriam Kai, who remarked on the accessibility of Serrano's services to the Latino community. Despite the arguments of convenience or necessity, Donnelly affirmed the availability of legal alternatives that cater to underprivileged communities without risking patients' safety. Serrano, who, like Carranza, is faced with unauthorized practice charges, is expected back in court on January 8. If convicted, she could face up to four years imprisonment, as detailed by ABC7 New York.
