A judge has set a $75,000 bond for 37-year-old Maritza Villatoro, who is accused of operating an illegal dental practice from her home. Villatoro had previously denied the allegations in an interview with media , claiming to be a licensed dental assistant. However, after her arrest on Wednesday night, media reporters attempted to ask further questions at her home, but received no response.
Weeks earlier, Villatoro had spoken with report over the phone, denying the illegal practice. During her probable cause hearing on Thursday, her public defender requested a $2,500 bond, arguing that practicing dentistry without a license is not a violent crime. The judge, however, set the bond at $75,000, expressing concern about the potential dangers of unlicensed dental work, referencing cases where such practices led to severe harm.
Dr. Craig Armstrong, a licensed Houston dentist, supported the judge’s concerns, emphasizing the health risks, including heart problems and infections, that can result from improper infection control in non-licensed settings.
Sources informed media that Villatoro had been working as a dental assistant in a clinic despite having her license suspended earlier this year following a DUI conviction involving a child passenger.
Dr. Armstrong noted that uninsured individuals seeking to save money are often vulnerable to such illegal practices. He advised those in need of affordable dental care to seek assistance from organizations like Star of Hope, The San Jose Clinic, or the Greater Houston Dental Society. Authorities are encouraging potential victims of unlicensed dental work to come forward.
