Wismar: Woman Accused of Practicing as Unlicensed Aesthetic Doctor

Patients seeking affordable aesthetic and dental treatments face significant health risks when providers operate without proper medical licensing. Recent investigations have highlighted cases where individuals performed procedures such as veneer installations and surgeries without credentials, leading to severe complications for clients. While reports indicate investigations against unlicensed practitioners in locations such as Wismar, verified cases in the United States provide detailed insight into the dangers associated with these illegal practices.

In Pinellas County, Florida, authorities arrested a woman for performing unlicensed dental work that left victims in pain and in need of emergency care. Investigators identified the suspect as Emely Martinez, who advertised on social media as a veneer technician. According to police, Martinez promised smile makeovers but clients were left with infections, damaged teeth, and hefty bills to fix the harm. This incident underscores the critical importance of verifying provider credentials before undergoing medical or dental procedures.

Verified Cases of Unlicensed Practice

Details obtained from arrest records and police reports outline the scope of the issue in Florida. Emely Martinez, 35, was arrested on August 20, 2025, after multiple victims filed complaints with Pinellas Park police. Customers met Martinez at the Tapp Inn Beauty Bar in Pinellas Park, where she offered full-mouth veneer treatments for a fraction of what they cost at a licensed dental office. While veneers generally cost $800 to $1,800 per tooth, Martinez advertised full-mouth services at $3,000 and charged one client just $2,500.

Investigators said the procedure was far from professional. According to arrest warrants, Martinez used crazy glue to attach fake veneers. In one case, a licensed dentist told police they believed nail glue had been used to secure the veneers to a victim’s teeth. Sgt. Windy Vater with the Pinellas Park Police Department stated regarding the suspect: She is not licensed to put in veneers. She has no schooling to do veneers. And in the state of Florida, obviously you have to be licensed to do any kind of work like that.

This was not an isolated incident for the suspect. Records indicate she was previously arrested on similar charges of practicing dentistry without an active license. In 2025, she and her brother Carlos Bedoya-Rendon were both arrested, accused of practicing dentistry without a license and operating out of a Hunters Creek office that is now vacant. She was arrested in Hillsborough County in March. According to arrest warrants, at least some of her victims did not know Martinez didn’t have a license and confronted her about it. In one case, a victim reported Martinez told her she did not care if licensing was needed when confronted about her lack of credentials.

Health Consequences and Emergency Care

The health implications of unlicensed dental and medical work can be severe. Two separate customers reported Martinez to Pinellas Park police after experiencing pain, infections, and complications several days or several weeks after the procedures. Some had to undergo emergency dental work in order to save their teeth. Police complaints alleged that Martinez took thousands from customers and then either ignored them when they followed up about complications or dismissed their concerns.

Similar risks were identified in other recent cases involving unlicensed practitioners. In Miami, Florida, a woman was arrested on February 26, 2026, after investigators said she was working as a doctor without a medical license. In Newton, a woman was charged with impersonating a doctor after an alleged illegal eyelid surgery in Allston on February 5, 2026, that left permanent scarring. These cases illustrate a pattern of individuals offering medical services without the training required to ensure patient safety.

Regulatory Requirements and Patient Safety

Licensing requirements exist to protect public health by ensuring practitioners have completed necessary schooling and training. In the state of Florida, individuals must be licensed to perform dental work such as veneers. When patients seek services from unlicensed technicians, they bypass these safety protocols. The use of industrial adhesives like crazy glue or nail glue in the mouth can lead to infections and tissue damage that licensed professionals are trained to avoid.

Health officials and law enforcement urge consumers to verify credentials before scheduling aesthetic or dental treatments. Patients should confirm that providers are licensed through state medical or dental boards. Relying on social media advertisements or significantly discounted prices can expose individuals to dangerous conditions. As seen in the Pinellas Park investigations, the cost of correcting complications from unlicensed work often exceeds the initial savings, and the physical damage can be permanent.

The ongoing investigations into fake doctors and dentists highlight the need for vigilance in the health and wellness sector. Whether in Wismar, where investigations against a fake doctor for assault and fraud have been reported, or in Florida, where multiple arrests have occurred, the core issue remains the same. Unlicensed practice poses a direct threat to patient safety, resulting in pain, infection, and the need for emergency medical intervention.