What looked like a regular Miami Gardens home was allegedly pulling double duty as a full-blown dental clinic, according to deputies who say the operation was anything but legal.
Maria Del Carmen Fontaine-Uliver, 33, was arrested Thursday after investigators say they walked into a fully operational dental setup inside a house in the 2400 block of Northwest 90th Street. Undercover detectives say they found her in the middle of treating a patient, accusing her of performing dentistry without a license.
Undercover sting and evidence
According to an arrest report, the case started with an anonymous complaint to the Florida Department of Health that triggered an undercover probe. Detectives used social media and messaging apps to schedule a veneers consultation, communicating with a man identified as Rolando Quintana Garcia, then dug into state business records and found a company called Smiles Everywhere LLC listed on Sunbiz with Fontaine-Uliver named as the business manager.
When investigators showed up at the house, they say they watched Fontaine-Uliver performing dental work on a patient who was reclining in a chair. Detectives reported hearing her tell the patient to speak up if they felt pain so she could administer an anesthetic, which authorities say she was not licensed to do. At that point, deputies moved in and detained her.
Authorities say they seized six vials of Xylocaine from the home. Fontaine-Uliver was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and booked on charges of practicing dentistry without a license and possessing prescription drugs with intent to sell or deliver, according to Local 10.
License limits and criminal exposure
Investigators told state officials that Fontaine-Uliver holds an active dental radiographer credential, which generally allows a person to take dental X-rays under the supervision of a licensed dentist but does not authorize them to perform dental treatment on patients.
The Florida Board of Dentistry provides public tools for licensing and verification, and under Florida law practicing dentistry without the proper active license is classified as a third-degree felony. For official information on requirements and penalties, see the resources provided by the Florida Board of Dentistry and the statute at Florida Statutes A7466.026.
Not the first crackdown on home clinics
Miami-Dade authorities have been busy this year going after home-based dental setups that they say cut corners on safety and licensing. In March, detectives arrested another woman after they reported finding a makeshift dental station and improperly discarded biomedical waste inside a Brownsville home, a case detailed by Local 10, underscoring how often these pop-up clinics are landing on law enforcement’s radar.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Health are continuing to investigate the latest case, and it is still unclear whether the registered agent listed on the business records for Smiles Everywhere LLC will face any charges.
Officials say anyone who suspects unlicensed dental or medical work is happening in their neighborhood can file a complaint or check a provider’s status through the Florida Department of Health's Medical Quality Assurance portal: Florida MQA. Authorities say these arrests are part of a broader effort across the county to shield residents from unsafe and unregulated procedures happening behind closed doors.
