A New Jersey woman faces serious criminal charges after allegedly performing a botched root canal procedure without a dental license, leaving her patient bleeding and $300 poorer when she abandoned the work halfway through the operation.

Unlicensed Procedure Goes Wrong

Ana C. Amato, 49, of Old Bridge, was arrested by South River police after a victim reported she performed unauthorized dental work at her office. The patient discovered Amato through WhatsApp group chat advertisements and agreed to pay $1,000 for a root canal procedure. On September 22, Amato allegedly injected anesthetic into the man’s gum, drilled his tooth, and began the procedure before abruptly stopping. She instructed him to return later that week to complete the work, according to police reports.

New Jersey woman arrested for fake dentistry after she failed to finish a root canal https://t.co/iZlEE25lX5 pic.twitter.com/wOkzUIxLRq

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Before the scheduled follow-up appointment, Amato contacted the victim to inform him that she could not finish the procedure. She provided a list of licensed dentists in the area who could complete the root canal. When the man returned to her office demanding his $300 down payment, Amato refused to refund the money, leading to a confrontation. The victim arrived at the South River Police Station on September 27 with gauze in his bleeding mouth to file a formal complaint about the incident.

Criminal Charges Filed

Amato now faces three serious charges: unlawful practice of dentistry, aggravated assault, and financial facilitation of criminal activity. South River Police Chief Tinitigan praised the investigative work of Sergeant Roselli and Officer Szukics for recognizing the severity of the situation. The chief emphasized that what initially appeared as a routine dispute call revealed a serious public safety threat requiring immediate action to protect community members from potential harm.

Investigation Continues

The case remains under active investigation as authorities work to determine if additional victims exist. Police are requesting anyone with information about Amato’s alleged dental operations to contact Detective Molina at 732-254-9002 extension 113. The incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed medical practitioners advertising services through social media platforms and group messaging applications. Authorities could not reach Amato for comment regarding the charges. The investigation serves as a reminder for residents to verify professional credentials before agreeing to any medical or dental procedures.