A Moorpark man was arrested Wednesday after police discovered he’d allegedly converted his apartment's bathroom into an elaborate dentist office, complete with a dental chair, anesthetic drugs and false teeth, authorities said.
William Escobar was arrested on suspicion of felony practice of dentistry without a license, misdemeanor furnishing of dangerous drugs, and possession of needles, Sgt. Victor Fazio, with the Moorpark Police Department, said in a news release.
The one-month investigation into the apparent dental operation was sparked by an alleged patient of Escobar’s who said the man cleaned his teeth, injected his gums with anesthetic, and recommended he have a tooth pulled, Fazio said. That patient suffered swelling and pain at the injection site, he added.
The patient didn’t have enough money to pay for the extraction, Fazio said, so the extraction was not performed. Still, Escobar allegedly called the patient and threatened him, stating he owed him money.
Detectives searched Escobar’s apartment in the 600 of Spring Road, where they found “an elaborate illegal dental operation” inside a bathroom, Fazio said.
They found evidence that Escobar had "numerous customers," including teenagers who apparently were receiving orthodonture care, investigators said.
Because the investigation is ongoing, Moorpark police are asking any customers of Escobar to call the police department or 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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"Investigators are especially interested in speaking to any children and their parents who received dental or orthodonture care from Escobar," Fazio said.
