Salinas woman accused of running an illegal dentist office out of her home

A Salinas woman is facing felony charges for allegedly running an illegal dentistry operation out of her home on Leese Dr., according to Salinas Police.

Officers said Ana Diaz, 56, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, during a search inside her home where a makeshift surgical room with a dental chair was discovered.

“Yeah, it was not good,” Salinas Police Commander Sheldon Bryan said. “The tools needed to be cared for. The home — it was certainly not a sterile environment.”

Investigators said they learned about the operation after a 32-year-old man showed up at Natividad Medical Center with a broken molar and lacerated gums. The victim then reported he’d had a dental procedure at Diaz’s home where she tried to extract a tooth for more than 90 minutes before it broke, leaving the man with excruciating pain.

Officers said the man reported Diaz was also selling expired prescription drugs to her patients obtained from Mexico.

Salinas Police said they contacted Diaz at her home and were given permission to enter, where they also found dental tools.

Officers said Diaz was arrested for numerous charges including practicing as a dentist without a license resulting in injury, selling or administering controlled substances and administering general anesthesia without a license. Diaz was convicted on similar charges in 2010, according to police.

“Based on what the doctors told the officers in the emergency room,” Commander Bryan said, “They believe she didn’t know what she was doing.”

Police said the victim was concerned about reporting the information, in fear of being prosecuted for being in the U.S. illegally. The victim said he delayed asking for help for three days because of that fear.

Neighbors say they are shocked by the allegations, especially because the suspect is someone they see and speak to every day.

“I thought she goes to work the same time I do so we would say “hi” to each other and my son would say “good morning” to her and that was it,” neighbor Letty Lopez said.

Salinas Police are asking for more information from additional victims in the community.

“We are concerned that some of the potential victims this woman preyed upon might feel the same way as this individual and might feel like they face deportation or face prosecution for seeking this type of treatment,” Commander Bryan said. “Police want to assure them we are here to help them and bring justice to them for the victimization that they experienced.”

Anyone with information can report anonymously at 1-800-78-CRIME.