HOUSTON — A Katy woman was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 22, because Houston police say she’s been posing as a dentist.
Angelica Vivas, 46, is charged with two counts of dentistry act violation, a third-degree felony.
According to court documents, Vivas performed a complex root canal on a woman even though she was not a licensed dentist or oral surgeon.
At a court appearance, the judge said Vivas put the woman under anesthesia several times and left her in “excruciating pain.”
“As horrifying as the root canal extraction is, it’s more horrifying that she was placing people under anesthesia,” the judge said. “These are highly dangerous scenarios, anytime somebody goes under anesthesia, there’s always the possibility of neurological or cardiac scenarios.”
He said anesthesia can even lead to death if something goes wrong.
According to the prosecutor, the patient also had damage to her teeth. He said one of the teeth broke off and the root was left inside.
The woman told investigators that she “suffered a tremendous amount of pain.”
Court documents say Vivas also offered to perform dental work on an undercover officer investigating the case.
The Harris County DA’s Office said there may be other victims.
Vivas was released from jail after posting bonds totaling $100,000.
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