A routine dispute between two people led police to further investigate, resulting in the arrest of a woman in New Jersey for practicing dentistry without a license, according to multiple news stories published March 1.
Ana Amato, 49, of Old Bridge, NJ, was arrested on February 19 and charged with third-degree unlawful practice of dentistry, second-degree aggravated assault, and third-degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, according to the stories.
In September 2025, two people went to police headquarters for what first appeared to be a routine dispute. While interviewing them, police learned that dental procedures may have been performed within the town by an unlicensed individual, which reportedly turned out to be Amato.
In February, police obtained evidence to be granted a search warrant for Amato's office in South River, NJ. When she was arrested, multiple items were seized from her office, according to the stories. No other details were provided about the aggravated assault charge.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
