A jury in Virginia has convicted a woman who performed illegal dental procedures at her husband’s legitimate veterinary hospital, according to a press release dated July 15 by the City of Virginia Beach.
Cristina Caro Valencia, 56, of Virginia Beach, VA, was convicted of four counts of practicing dentistry without a license following a two-day trial. She is scheduled to be sentenced in November, according to the press release.
This is the second time that Valencia has been tried. In March, the first proceeding ended in a mistrial after a juror admitted to looking up the case online during a break in court proceedings.
In June 2021, authorities began investigating Valencia after police received a tip that she was doing dentistry without a license. The investigation revealed that she was allegedly operating Cosmetica Dental Lab in the same building as The Veterinary Hospital of Virginia Beach, which Caro Valencia owns and operates.
During a search of the dental lab, police seized dental instruments, dental fillers and molds, as well as receipts and payment ledgers. Furthermore, the investigation led to a husband and wife, who were later determined to be victims. The couple heard about Valencia through a Spanish radio channel in which she claimed to be a dentist who could speak Spanish and provide affordable care.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, the pair received treatment from Valencia. Several times per year, Valencia gave the husband dental bridges and would numb him with a needle and file down his teeth. However, the bridges would not fit properly and would fall out. Eventually, the man's real teeth began to fall out, according to the press release.
Valencia cleaned the wife's teeth and filled cavities. Her teeth became infected.
After experiencing these dental issues, the victims sought care from a certified dentist, according to the press release.
