Raleigh police arrested 42-year-old Ebony Nicohole McBean on Friday after investigators say she performed orthodontic treatments without a state dental license, leaving dozens of patients with unfinished braces and no clear answers about refunds. The arrest followed a string of complaints from former customers and the sudden shutdown of her clinic, The Smiling Face Company, which left patients scrambling to figure out where to turn next.
According to WRAL, a warrant for McBean was issued Nov. 12, and police arrested her Friday on charges that include obtaining property by false pretense and practicing medicine without a license. Investigators say the charges are tied to payments made for orthodontic services provided through The Smiling Face Company.
Clinic Closure Left Patients In Limbo
The Smiling Face Company abruptly shut its doors on Oct. 1, cutting off patients who say they had already paid thousands of dollars for braces and follow-up care. After the closure, those patients were left without appointments, refunds or a clear way to obtain their records, as reported by ABC11. Some told reporters they had paid between $3,000 and $4,500 for treatment that licensed orthodontists later warned might need to be redone.
For families who thought they were investing in long term orthodontic care, that is a brutal surprise. Instead of getting their braces tightened, many now face the prospect of starting over somewhere else.
State Board Action And Supervising Dentist
Records on the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners portal show a consent order involving the dentist named on some Smiling Face invoices, Dr. Darren Ramsey. The order, issued in May 2025, limited his practice and put his license on probationary status. Board documents state that Ramsey allowed unlicensed persons to perform acts that are reserved for licensed dentists.
The consent order highlights a key concern for regulators and patients alike: who is actually allowed to put hands in a patient’s mouth, and who is responsible when that line gets crossed.
Patients Seek Refunds And Records
Multiple patients told reporters they were unable to get straight answers about refunds, future treatment or how to obtain their records after the office went dark, WRAL reported. One patient said her braces had been applied or adjusted by McBean and that a licensed provider later found problems that required additional work.
The confusion has left patients juggling two headaches at once: the cost and hassle of fixing their teeth and the uncertainty of whether they will ever see their money again.
Legal Implications
The charges McBean faces, including obtaining property by false pretense and practicing without a license, can bring criminal penalties and may also support civil claims seeking restitution. The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners accepts complaints, offers a license search and lists resources for patients who need records or who suspect someone is practicing without proper credentials.
Investigations remain ongoing, and local authorities have not released additional details about bail or upcoming court dates. Anyone who received treatment at The Smiling Face Company and needs records or wants to report a concern can check the state dental board’s website and consider contacting a licensed orthodontist to review any work that was done.
