Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
A Hidalgo County resident is recovering after a series of illegal dental procedures nearly cost her life. The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, described undergoing three extractions performed by an unlicensed individual operating out of a home. She shared her experience during a press conference on July 25, 2025, at the McAllen office of Dr. Carlos Cruz, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
According to the patient, the procedures were conducted in a residential kitchen without the use of X-rays, medical evaluation, or any assurance of sanitation. “She said X-rays weren’t necessary,” the woman stated. “Everything was done on a chair in the kitchen, and I paid $100 per tooth, and she extracted three.”
The victim reported that a friend recommended the services and that the individual presenting herself as a dental provider showed photos of previous work to build trust. “It looked trustworthy when I first got there,” she said. “She told me my smile was going to be different.”
Two days after her final extraction, she began experiencing swelling, extreme pain, and difficulty opening her mouth. Her condition worsened rapidly.
“I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, the pain was unbearable,” she recalled. At that point, her friend contacted Dr. Joey Cazares, DDS, of McAllen Dental Associates. “Dr. Cazares saw me immediately. He told me to go to the hospital right away. When I got there, they told me I could have died.”
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