JC Woman Arrested for Illegal Dental Practice

Johns Creek police have arrested a woman for running an illegal dentistry practice out of her home.

Claudinette Varon-Castro, 45, was arrested July 2 and charged with five felonies, including three counts of practicing dentistry without a license. Separate charges for possession and distribution of dangerous drugs were also filed. The arrest comes after a month-long investigation by local police.

According to Capt. Brian Weaver, who heads up the Johns Creek Criminal Investigation Division, undercover officers were sent to the Varon-Castro’s home, pretending to be patients.

“We had gotten information that some type of illegal activity had been going on inside the home,” said Weaver.

Because of the ongoing nature of the investigation Weaver could not say whether or not the information came from a patient or a neighbor. He could only comment that it came from a source within the Johns Creek community.

Once inside the residence, officers noticed a bedroom was being used as a dental office, complete with a dentist chair and an overhead light. There were also medical tables and cabinet drawers containing dental tools and medical supplies. There was an X-ray machine inside a large closet.

Varon-Castro allegedly told the undercover officer that she needed to conduct an X-ray and apply anesthesia to begin the dental procedure. According to the police report, she told the officer that the procedure would cost him $180.

The officer declined the procedure and asked for painkillers. Varon-Castro allegedly offered the officer 22 Amoxicillin pills. The officer paid her $60 in marked bills.

Varon-Castro was arrested outside her home. During her arrest, officers found several appointment ledgers and a bottle of 500 mg Amoxicillin, a medication used commonly for fighting infection.

Police also recovered topical anesthesia, vials of Lidocain, Carbocaine and other medications, used as numbing agents. Johns Creek police do not know how or where the medications were obtained by Varon-Castro.

Varon-Castro did not have a license to practice dentistry in the U.S.

"Some of her patients might not have had insurance, or were illegal immigrants too scared to go to a dentist," said Weaver.

While the allegations against Varon-Castro might come as a surprise to the community, Weaver said this is nothing new.

"Nothing surprises me anymore. When you get information like this, you just have to get in there and shut it down,” he said.

Varon-Castro was taken to the Fulton County jail. Weaver said more charges could be filed pending the ongoing investigation.