A 60-year-old man was arrested early Thursday, March 6, after allegedly practicing dentistry without a license out of his Hesperia home.
In January, police started investigating after learning that Uriel Torres Cortes was reportedly performing dentistry in the 9300 block of 11th Avenue, a residential street in Hesperia.
A search warrant served at Cortes’ home around 6:45 a.m. Thursday found evidence that he was practicing dentistry, and the California Department of Consumer Affairs confirmed he did not have a license, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Cortes was arrested on suspicion of prescribing a controlled substance without treatment, furnishing controlled substances, forging or altering a prescription, unauthorized practice and practicing dentistry without a valid license.
It was not immediately clear what dental procedures he was accused of doing, how many patients authorities say he had or what their ages were.
Officials said they’re investigating how long Cortes was allegedly practicing dentistry fraudulently, but they believe he was doing so as a solo entity.
Law enforcement officials ask anyone with relevant information to contact detectives at (760) 947-1500 or (760) 956-5001.