Man Arrested for Illegal Dentistry Leaves Jail

Elderly man arrested for practicing dentistry out of Little Havana posts bond

The elderly man accused of running a makeshift dental office out of his Little Havana home walked out of jail early Thursday after posting bond.

Humberto Perez, 81, was arrested Wednesday on charges of practicing dentistry without a license, unlicensed practice of the health care profession, aggravated child abuse and child neglect.

He left jail without comment around 5 a.m.

His wife, 69-year-old Maria Perez, was also arrested on those charges, while his daughter, 38-year-old Odalis Hernandez Perez, was charged with child neglect. Both posted bond and were released from jail late Wednesday.

Facebook Photo Leads to Mistrial in Miami Murder Case

Miami Police say the family had been operating a clandestine dental office out of their home in the 1000 block of Southwest 11th Street.

Authorities were tipped off to the illegal operation by the mother of a 14-year-old girl who had received treatment at the home that left her permanently disfigured, police said.

The girl's mother said her daughter was self-conscious about one chipped tooth but her insurance wouldn't pay for the dental work. That's why she went to Perez who was referred by a friend. She said she didn't think anything of the place because such dental offices are normal in her native Dominican Republic.

Detectives believe there may be more victims who have yet to come forward and ask anyone with information to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

More Local News

Contact Us