Jose L. Rodriguez Delacruz, of Freeport, charged with practicing dental medicine without a license

A Freeport man was charged Thursday after a police investigation revealed he was practicing dental medicine without a license, Nassau County police said.

Jose L. Rodriguez Delacruz, 53, was charged with unauthorized practice at his place of business at 1 W. Sunrise Hwy. in Freeport at 3:15 p.m. Thursday.

Police said investigators with the Special Victims Squad found Delacruz was operating a dentist’s office in a second-floor unit of the brick office building. He was arrested without incident, according to a news release.

Unauthorized practice is a Class E felony carrying a maximum penalty of up to four years in prison, according to state law.

Delacruz was arraigned on the charge at First District Court in Hempstead on Friday. He pleaded not guilty and was released without bail.

Online court records show the investigation relates to a January complaint.

Delacruz is due back in court April 26. He is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, which does not comment on cases.

Police said anyone who may have had dental work performed by Delacruz should call the Special Victims Squad at 516-573-4022.

By Grant Parpan

grant.parpan@newsday.com@GrantParpan

Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday. A Long Island native, he joined Newsday in 2022.