Your Soup Served Fresh

Tweet Subscribe to receive your daily serving of Capital Soup. Tweet

News. Views. Unfiltered.

Tweet Submit your news and opinions to Capital Soup free of charge. Tweet

Advertise in the Soup.

Tweet For rates and availability, contact ads@capitalsoup.com. Tweet

Dish it Up.

Tweet Order special services or featured positioning at services@capitalsoup.com. Tweet

Home » Education » Currently Reading:

Florida Department of Health Partners with Miami-Dade Police in Fight Against Unlicensed Activity

December 6, 2012 Government No Comments

Contact: DOH Communications
Ashley Carr, (850) 245-4111

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PARTNERS WITH MIAMI-DADE POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST UNLICENSED ACTIVITY
~Arrest and citation issued for unlicensed practice of dentistry~

TALLAHASSEE- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) today announced that a joint investigation with the Miami Dade Police Department (MDPD) Economic Crimes Unit resulted in the arrest of Jesus Lopez Rodriguez in connection with the unlicensed practice of dentistry, a third-degree felony. The initial complaint received from an anonymous Miami Dade Crime Stoppers tip alleged that Rodriguez was practicing dentistry at his Miami residence. It was further alleged Rodriguez was sexually assaulting females as they sought treatment from him. DOH has issued a cease and desist order, along with a citation for the unlicensed practice of dentistry.

“We do not tolerate the unlicensed practice of dentistry in Florida,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The Department is committed to protecting the people of Florida and preventing harm inflicted by imposters.”

Controlled phone calls were made to the defendant by undercover investigators with DOH and the MDPD, where Rodriguez stated that he charged a fee of $50.00 for a dental cleaning which was later referred to as a “car wash.” The defendant further explained that after an examination, he could perform other, more complex, dental procedures.

Evidence found in today’s operation includes a dental chair, controlled substances, patient appointment book and dental tools, which were seized by MDPD. Jesus Rodriguez was arrested and charged on Dec. 4, with the unlicensed practice of dentistry, proprietorship by non-dentist, as well as possession of controlled substances with intent to sell/distribute.

J.D. Patterson, Acting Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, stated “The safety and concern for the citizens of Miami-Dade County are always paramount to the Miami-Dade Police Department. To this end, this arrest reinforces that we will not tolerate unlicensed medical activity.”

The Department of Health commits to full partnership with the Miami-Dade Police Department as they pursue this matter criminally. The defendant has been charged and will move through the criminal justice process accordingly.

The Florida Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) is committed to ensuring that all of Florida’s licensed health care practitioners place the health and safety of patients first and foremost.

The Department of Health urges consumers to verify the licensure status of all health care providers before seeking medical treatment. Please visit http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/mqaservices/flhealth_index.asp to confirm that a health care practitioner is actively licensed in Florida and view applicable disciplinary history. Any individual may report suspected unlicensed activity to the Department at 1-877-425-8852 or visit www.FLHealthSource.com.

DOH works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For news story ideas, interviews, videos and more from DOH Communications visit the DOH Online Newsroom.

###

SunDeck: What’s A-Twitter in FL Politics

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

ADVERTISEMENTS

Sachs Media Group

Florida Sports Fan

Archives

Popular Content

2013 Florida Capitol Press Corps Guide

2013 Florida Capitol Press Corps Guide

Sachs Media Group this week released its annual Capitol Press Corps Guide, the resource to find and connect with reporters who cover Florida from the capital city. The pocket-sized 2013 guide is a listing of all major news outlets in Florida that have capital bureaus, including contact information for individual reporters who cover issues of statewide importance. The 2013 guide includes reporters’ Twitter handles, recognizing the growing importance of social media in reporting. Supplies are limited. To request a hard copy, email herbie@sachsmedia.com.

Florida NewsMakers

Opinion

For National Trauma Awareness Month Let’s Agree: All Floridians Deserve Access to Trauma Care

May 21, 2013

Tweet For National Trauma Awareness Month Let’s Agree: All Floridians Deserve Access to Trauma Care By Dr. James M. Hurst May is National Trauma Awareness month, and it finds Florida trying to write a prescription for improving access to trauma care for everyone. As an expert in the field of trauma, I was somewhat encouraged [...]

Rep. Janet Cruz: The News from Cruz

May 14, 2013

Tweet 2013 Session Highlights By Rep. Janet Cruz As I return to District 62 from the 2013 legislative session I wanted to fill you in on some of the issues that we have been working on the past two months that might be of interest to you. Elections Perhaps one of the biggest issues this [...]

Rep. Janet Adkins: Letter to the Editor, May 13, 2013

May 13, 2013

Tweet Letter to the Editor May 13, 2013 Session, Week 9 By Rep. Janet Adkins The final week of the 115th legislative session, since Florida’s statehood in 1845, began with the pre-dawn drive to Tallahassee on Monday morning. The weekend at home with Fernandina Beach’s Shrimp Festival Parade and Jacksonville Beach’s Opening of the Beaches [...]