Underground dentistry rife in Texas

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The number of dentists practising without a valid license has reached shocking proportions in Texas, according to recent figures.

Although the practice of working without a license is illegal, there are currently several cases under investigation across the state. Most cases involve dental professionals that are offering services beyond their usual role and dentists that have licenses to practice in other countries but do not have a license to practice in America.

According to Dallas County Assistant District Attorney, Raquel Jones, an increasing number of underground operations are offering patients dental care; most dentists and dental professionals run the services from their homes or in the back rooms of other business establishments. The dentists have all the necessary equipment and instruments but most do not operate in sterile environments and therefore there is a significant risk of infection.

According to Ms Jones, illegal dentists target low income families, illegal immigrants and the unemployed; they offer them reduced rate care and lure them in with the promise of affordable care. The patients they target are not in a position to turn down the offer because they would never be able to afford dental care at a licensed clinic.

The underground dentists go to great lengths to make money and even carry out complex procedures, which involve sedation and using anaesthesia; this is potentially extremely dangerous and police in the area are clamping down in a bid to protect the public.

Underground dentistry has undoubtedly become more common since the recession hit and economic turbulence caused many families and individuals to tighten their budgets; according to the Texas State Board of Examiners, these illegal practices are targeting the weak and vulnerable in society and have the potential to cause a great deal of harm. 

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