2 Unlicensed Dentists Arrested For Performing Work In Linden

LINDEN, NJ — Two Union County men have been arrested and charged with performing dentistry without a license out of Linden apartments, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced Wednesday.

Jorge Renteria-Paz, 46, of Roselle and Hector Carro, 73, of Linden are charged with unlawful practice of dentistry, a third-degree crime.

An investigation was launched after a woman told authorities that she paid the two men nearly $1,000 over the course of several patient visits and afterwards developed a severe oral infection, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Shawn Barnes, who is prosecuting the case.

It was found that Renteria-Paz and Carro were illegally performing dentistry work out of two apartments in Linden, one on the 20 block of West Elizabeth Avenue and the other on the 100 block of Chandler Avenue, according to an investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Unit.

A search of the apartments found numerous pieces of dental equipment, including various tools, a handheld X-ray machine, sterilization equipment and more than $20,000 in cash.

Renteria-Paz and Carro were arrested without incident and later released pending a first appearance in Union County Superior Court scheduled for Friday, Feb. 23.

Both men face three to five years in state prison if convicted on the third-degree criminal charges.

“Those who perform dental or medical work without a license in New Jersey don’t just illegally profit from their schemes by exploiting some of our most vulnerable citizens; too often they also place the health of their client victims in jeopardy with substandard techniques and sterilization methods. Moreover, there are safe, inexpensive, legal treatment alternatives readily available,” Monahan said. “These arrests represent a firm commitment on the part of this Office to safeguard the citizens of Union County from being exposed to such danger.”

Anyone with information about the activities of these two men is being urged to contact Detective Correia at 908-418-5800.

(Image via Union County Prosecutor's Office: From left - Hector Carro, 73, of Linden and Jorge Renteria-Paz, 46, of Roselle)

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