Yolany Y. Mejia Carranza illegally performed dentistry in Bay Shore home, police say

At least three people were injured, including one whose face was partially paralyzed, by a woman accused of illegal practice of dentistry in a Bay Shore home, Suffolk police said Friday.

Yolany Y. Mejia Carranza, 55, of Huntington Station, was charged with three counts of unauthorized practice of a profession on Thursday after Third Precinct officers received several complaints of her operation, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said at a news conference on Friday.

Catalina said that after officers executed a search warrant at the Hecksher Avenue residence, they found a makeshift dentist office with a dentist chair and tools. He did not confirm whether Mejia Carranza had ever been trained in dentistry or had ever possessed a license.

An investigation found that while Mejia Carranza had antibiotics and local anesthesia, it was unclear whether she administered them to patients during procedures or had the knowledge to treat patients with the proper medication, Catalina said. 

Police believe Mejia Carranza targeted the Hispanic community and mostly people who did not have health insurance or did not have legal immigration status, Catalina said.

"We believe that these are patients who felt like maybe they had no other option," Catalina said. "But any patient down here could walk into a hospital and get that dental care."

Police believe Mejia Carranza had illegally practiced dentistry for at least eight years, and that she previously operated an illegal dental business on Broadway in Huntington Station, he said.

It was unclear how many patients Mejia Carranza allegedly treated during that time.

"We want to let everybody know what she's doing is extremely dangerous. And we want those people to know that you know there are other options available," Catalina said.

Mejia Carranza pleaded not guilty to three charges of unauthorized practice of a profession at First District Court in Central Islip on Friday, according to court documents, which also indicate the alleged incidents occurred on Nov. 1, Feb. 24 and Thursday. 

"She maintains she hasn't committed any crimes," Aaron Wallenstein, Mejia Carranza's defense attorney, said in a telephone interview Friday evening. "We're looking forward to getting discovery from the prosecution, taking a look into everything and hopefully proving that she hasn't done anything wrong."

Catalina encouraged anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Mejia Carranza to contact police. Callers can reach the Third Squad at 631-854-8352 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. Officers will never inquire about immigration status, Catalina said.