A dentist who gained fame on TikTok has been arrested for allegedly scamming her clients by giving them fake veneers, leaving them with damaged teeth and gums.
The alleged perpetrator, Monica Davis from Illinois, reportedly operated under the business name "The Veneer Experts," which is now the subject of a police investigation.
Davis, who started her business in July 2023, allegedly offered braces alongside veneers, causing distress among her clientele. One individual, Monica Bailey, and her teenage daughter recalled feeling terrified by the services provided, per the Mirror.
Promoting her business on TikTok with the tagline "changing lives one smile at a time," Davis apparently extended her operations to a Las Vegas strip mall. However, investigations revealed that Davis was unlawfully practicing dentistry without a valid license.
Court documents reveal that Davis was detained in Nevada and subsequently released on January 31. Just nine days following her release, Bailey received braces from Davis, and recounted: "I thought what she was doing was how it's supposed to be done."
However, Bailey's hopes were soon dashed when attempts to reach Davis for follow-up appointments proved futile.
"One of the numbers was disconnected. The other one, nobody would answer," Bailey said, expressing disbelief upon seeing Davis' mugshot.
Another victim, tattoo artist Ralph Jones, disclosed having paid $1,000 for veneers that deteriorated and fell out over time.
CBS 2's investigation revealed Davis' absence from the registration site for state dentists in Illinois, where all dental practitioners are required to hold a valid license. Lindsay Wagahoff, governmental relations director at Illinois State Dental Society, emphasized the significance of licensure in ensuring practitioners' education and training standards.
Dr. Laura Zalay, a reputable dentist, told CBS 2: "I mean, the gum tissue is what I'm very concerned about because if you can't brush under those teeth, you're not going to have teeth there much longer. They look like real braces, but they don't connect to anything in the back and so there's no way to move the teeth."
"The Veneer Experts" were forced to leave their office in Schaumburg, with the building reportedly receiving numerous complaints from dissatisfied customers.
When approached by CBS 2 for comment, Davis remained tight-lipped about her business operations and the allegations leveled against her.
However, she is scheduled to appear in court in Las Vegas in May, with potential legal proceedings pending in Illinois.
Davis' TikTok account is no longer active.
