Aurora Illinois - An Aurora woman faces charges of illegally practicing dentistry at a North Aurora dental office, police said.
North Aurora police and the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office have obtained a criminal indictment against the woman for illegal dentistry practice at the North Aurora Dental Associates office on the 100 block of North Lincolnway (Route 31).
The defendant is Silvia Hernandez, 37, of the 400 block of Iowa Avenue, Aurora. Hernandez was indicted last week by a Kane County Grand Jury on the following charges:
- Theft, a Class 3 felony
- Deceptive Practices, a Class A misdemeanor
- Unlawful Practice of Dentistry, a Class A misdemeanor
The charges come after an investigation of over seven months by North Aurora police detectives.
Charging documents allege that Hernandez knowingly took control of more than $500 but less than $10,000 from someone by portraying herself as a licensed dentist in the State of Illinois, when in fact she was not a licensed dentist, according to a news release.
This investigation began on July 5, 2012 when a female came to North Aurora Dental Associates to report a problem with her braces. When the office staff could find no record of the female ever having been a patient there, she reported that she paid “Doctor Silvia” to put her braces on in this office about four years prior. Staff at North Aurora Dental Associates contacted North Aurora Police immediately.
Detectives learned that Hernandez was employed at North Aurora Dental Associates at that time, but only as a dental hygienist. She is no longer employed there, police said. She does not, and did not, have a license to practice dentistry.
The female reported that dental work she received from Hernandez was done in the Dental Associates office on Sundays, a day that the office is actually closed.
On Sept. 12, 2012, another female came forward. She went to North Aurora Dental Associates to report a problem with her dental work. Again, office staff could find no record of this female being a patient. Staff at North Aurora Dental Associates again contacted police immediately.
The second female reported that she paid Hernandez to maintain her braces starting in December 2008. The initial service and several follow-up appointments were performed at the office between December 2008 and March 2012, always after hours or on weekends. There were also some other appointments that took place at Hernandez’s residence in Aurora.
As of Wednesday, Hernandez had not yet been arrested in connection with this case. Her bond was set at $3,500 and an arrest warrant was issued. Detectives are in talks with Hernandez’s attorney to arrange her surrender.
North Aurora police have no reason to believe that legitimate patients of North Aurora Dental Associates were harmed or impacted in any way. North Aurora Dental Associates have cooperated fully with our investigation.
These cases remain under investigation by the North Aurora Police Department. Detectives are interested in speaking to other people who may have received dental treatment by Hernandez. If you were treated by “Doctor Silvia,” please call detectives at 630-897-8705, Ext. 610. Furthermore, patients of “Doctor Silvia” are urged to see a licensed dentist as soon as possible.
If convicted of any Class 3 felony, Hernandez could be sentenced to up to five years in prison, according to sentencing guidelines in the current state statute. If convicted of any Class A misdemeanor, she could face a sentence of less than one year in jail.
The woman, who doesn't have a dentistry license, practiced on patients after hours and on weekends when the business was closed, police said.
