Milford Police Call Illegal Dental Surgery ‘Elaborate’ As 2 Face Possible Arrest – Boston 25 News

MILFORD, Mass. — There are several dental practices in downtown Milford that are not hidden. In fact, a couple have a significant presence along Main Street.

But then there was an illegal dental office located deep inside the Alternativa Convenience Store, which Milford Police discovered after what the department called an extensive investigation. It culminated last week with the arraignment of Juan Hermida Munoz in District Court for practicing dentistry and medicine without a license.

A summons could lead to Munoz’s eventual arrest if a magistrate finds probable cause. Also hit with calls: the owner of the store, which is located at 140 Main Street.

Munoz apparently provided a variety of dental services — including examinations, extractions and the use of anesthetic agents. He likely drew much of his clientele from the area’s large Spanish-speaking community.

“I wasn’t shocked,” said Craig Macdonald, DMD, a dentist with a practice in Natick. “Disappointed, but not shocked. It’s not such an uncommon occurrence, unfortunately. We’ve seen other reports around the country where people have reported doing orthodontics at home. Or other cases where people have done dentistry out of their garage.”

Which wouldn’t necessarily be illegal — provided the dentist in question had a valid US-issued professional license — and met standards of care.

Part of that standard is infection control, which Macdonald says is one of the most troubling aspects of unlicensed medical practice.

“We go through many, many hoops to make sure everything we use is completely sterile,” he said. “I have no idea what a guy in the back of a convenience store can do in that regard.”

One thing he may not be able to do — without a professional license — is to order certain supplies and equipment needed to increase the sterility of the office. And even if such items can be ordered, they can be inexpensive. Autoclaves commonly used in dental practice, for example, cost thousands of dollars — but provide an essential level of cleanliness for tools that are shared from patient to patient.

“In this case, you’re more concerned about dirty instruments transmitting potential pathogens from one patient to another,” Macdonald said. “And that brings a lot of contagious diseases.”

These diseases include hepatitis, tuberculosis, CMV, herpes — plus a variety of respiratory diseases caused by viruses.

Another thing an unlicensed dental office may lack: malpractice insurance.

“You can’t be insured without a proper license,” Macdonald said. “Because you protect us, if something goes wrong. The patient would have no choice.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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