A Round Lake Beach woman was arrested after police conducted an investigation and learned she had been performing dental work out of her home while being unlicensed, authorities said.
Maura Perez, 59, of the 1200 block of Brentwood Drive in Round Lake Beach, was charged with two counts of unlawful practice of dentistry.
The Round Lake Beach Police Department was notified by the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation of a possible unlicensed dentist being run at Perez’s residence.
Police investigated and confirmed a dental operation was taking place at the location, the department said.
A victim was identified and they told detectives that they received dental procedures that later resulted in significant dental complications.
An arrest warrant was issued for Perez and she was arrested at her home on Thursday without incident, police said.
Perez was transported to the Lake County Jail for the arrest warrant that carried a $100,000 bond.
Numerous pieces of dental equipment and cash proceeds were confiscated in the arrest.
On Friday, Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak reduced Perez’s bond to $20,000.
She posted bond and was released the same day, court and jail records show.
Police continue to investigate and are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Round Lake Beach Police Department Investigations Division at (847) 546-2127.
“Residents who are uninsured and in need of dental services should never go to an unlicensed dentist, especially someone operating out of their home,” Round Lake Beach Police Chief Wayne Wilde, Jr. said.
Wilde said any uninsured Round Lake Beach or Lake County residents in need of dental services can contact the Lake County Health Department’s Community Health Center at (847) 377-8800 for dental care assistance.
