NORTH AURORA – An arrest warrant has been issued for an Aurora woman who is charged with illegally practicing dentistry at North Aurora Dental Associates.
Silvia Hernandez, 37, of the 400 block of Iowa Avenue, Aurora, was indicted last week by a Kane County grand jury on the charges of theft, a Class 3 felony; deceptive practices, a Class A misdemeanor; and unlawful practice of dentistry, a Class A misdemeanor.
The charges came after an investigation by North Aurora police that spanned more than seven months. On Wednesday, detectives were communicating with Hernandez’s attorney to arrange for her surrender.
The investigation began in July when a female went to North Aurora Dental Associates to report a problem with her braces, according to a news release from the North Aurora Police Department.
When the office staff couldn’t find a record of the woman being a patient there, the woman reported she paid “Doctor Silvia” to put her braces on about four years prior, according to the news release.
Staff at North Aurora Dental Associates contacted North Aurora police. Detectives learned Hernandez had been employed at North Aurora Dental Associates in the past as a dental hygienist but no longer was working there. She did not have a license to practice dentistry, police said.
The woman told authorities the dental work by Hernandez was done Sundays, a day the office is closed.
In September, another female came to the North Aurora Dental Associates to report a problem with her dental work. Again, office staff found no record of her being a patient, police said.
The woman said she paid Hernandez to maintain her braces beginning 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 also were other appointments that were at Hernandez’s residence in Aurora.
The North Aurora Police Department has no reason to believe that legitimate patients of North Aurora Dental Associates were harmed or affected in any way. North Aurora Dental Associates has cooperated fully with the investigation, police said.
The North Aurora Police Department continues to investigate. Detectives are asking others who may have received dental treatment from Hernandez to call them at 630-897-8705, ext. 610.
Police urge patients of “Doctor Silvia” to see a licensed dentist as soon as possible.
