Illegal Dental Practice Charge Filed Against Man
Charges were filed Wednesday against a man suspected of illegally practicing dentistry in the bedroom of his Wilshire District apartment.
Raul Alberto Rodriguez, 43, is charged with one count of practicing dentistry without a license and another of illegally possessing a hypodermic needle, said city attorney’s office spokesman Mike Qualls.
Rodriguez came under investigation in April, after the state Board of Dental Examiners got a phone tip that he was unlicensed and working out of his apartment at 111 N. Alexandria Ave., said Qualls.
On May 11, a Los Angeles police officer posing as a potential patient with a toothache went to the apartment. Rodriguez allegedly examined the officer and offered to fill a molar for $40, said Qualls.
Officers arrested Rodriguez several days later, while investigators seized his dentistry records and equipment, including a dental chair and 100 hypodermic needles.
Rodriguez is scheduled to be arraigned July 29 in Los Angeles Municipal Court.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
