A 49-year-old woman from New Jersey, Ana Amato, has been arrested and is facing serious charges, including assault, after it was uncovered that she had allegedly been practising dentistry without a licence. The arrest, which took place on February 19, followed a protracted investigation into her dental activities.
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Authorities were first alerted to Amato’s practices in September 2022, when a man reported that she had been offering dental services through the messaging platform WhatsApp. According to police, he had paid Amato $1,000 for a root canal procedure, which included a $300 down payment. Alarmingly, the investigation revealed that Amato was not authorised to perform any dental procedures.
Sgt. Peter Roselli and Officer Peter Szukics were the first to respond to the complaint at the South River Police Department (SRPD). Initially thought to be a routine dispute, the situation quickly escalated as officers gathered further information suggesting that dental work was being conducted by an unlicensed individual within the borough. This prompted the police to initiate a deeper investigation, which was subsequently taken over by Detective Patrick Molina.
The investigation revealed troubling details about Amato’s methods. During an appointment on September 22, the man had gone to her office, where she allegedly injected his gum with anaesthetic before drilling into his tooth. However, she abruptly ceased the operation and instructed him to return later to complete the procedure. Shortly thereafter, she claimed that she would be unable to finish the root canal and provided him with a list of other dentists. Upon this revelation, a dispute ensued regarding the refund of his down payment, prompting the man to report the incident to the police—still with gauze in his mouth from the unfinished procedure.
Following this discovery, the SRPD executed a search warrant at Amato’s office located on Main Street on the day of her arrest. A number of items were seized during the investigation, further substantiating claims of her unlawful practices.
Amato is now facing several charges, including second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, and third-degree unlawful practice of dentistry. The incident has raised concerns regarding public safety and the potential risks associated with unlicensed dental work.
SRPD Chief Mark Tinitigan commented on the unusual nature of the case, emphasising the officers’ professionalism in handling what began as a standard call. He noted that all calls, regardless of their apparent severity, are treated with equal diligence in ensuring public safety.
The investigation remains active, and the police are encouraging anyone with additional information that could assist their inquiries to reach out to Detective Molina directly. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring that medical and dental services are provided by licensed professionals and highlights the risks faced by individuals who seek alternative and unregulated healthcare options.
As this case unfolds, it brings to light the critical need for vigilance in the community to protect against unqualified practitioners posing as licensed professionals.