CHICAGO (CBS) – A woman posing as a dentist was arrested in Schaumburg after customers complained she gave them fake braces and, in one case, a patient had a chipped tooth after a visit.
Police investigated and charged the so-called dentist with a crime after a CBS 2 investigation.
It wasn’t Monica Davis’ first brush with the law. CBS 2 reported how he was arrested in January by the police in Nevada on similar allegations: that he was doing work in people’s mouths without a dental license.
Davis turned herself in to the Schauburg police. Investigators charged her with practicing medicine without a license, a felony.
The self-proclaimed dentist without credentials was seen working on a patient in an online ad posted on TikTok in October. Davis said in the video that her company, called The Veneer Experts, offers all kinds of services such as “replacing missing teeth, removing braces and veneers.”
Monica Bailey and her daughter said they received braces from The Veneer Experts in a Schaumburg office building after seeing an ad on Facebook. He said they were having trouble making a follow-up appointment.
“One of the numbers got disconnected,” Bailey said. “The other, no one would answer.”
Bailey began to investigate and discovered that the “dentist” fitted her braces after she was arrested by the police in Las Vegas for operating without a dental license there.
“It’s crazy to me that he can do this in Las Vegas and post bail, and you come here and do the same thing,” Bailey said. “It’s like you’re not afraid.”
In a previous CBS 2 investigation, a real, licensed dentist examined Bailey and found that braces from Davis did nothing.
“They’re not connected to anything in the back, so there’s no way for the teeth to move,” said Dr. Laura Zalay.
Another of Davis’ clients said his tooth broke a few days after getting veneers.
A third Davis client said her molar fell out after her appointment.
Illinois Dental Society Director of Government Relations Lindsay Wagaoff said in a statement:
“This recent development underscores the seriousness of practicing dentistry without a license. Illinois families deserve the peace of mind knowing that their dental care is in the hands of licensed professionals who are held to high standards of training and ethical conduct. Our members remain committed to uphold values and provide quality oral health care to Illinois communities.”
Davis’ attorney said his client “just wants her day in court.”
A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
Davis isn’t just facing potential criminal trouble. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is investigating her for practicing without a license. She could be fined up to $10,000 per violation.
Lauren Victory
