Woman Arrested Accused of Operating as a Fake Dentist

PHOENIX – Arizona Attorney General’s Office Special Agents arrested 54-year-old Elda Graciela Margez De Zamora for allegedly operating an unlicensed dental practice. After her arrest, a State Grand Jury indicted Margez De Zamora on 2 felony counts including Fraudulent Schemes and Practices and Practicing Dentistry Without a License.

On May 16, 2016, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office launched an investigation after receiving a case referral from the Phoenix Police Department regarding an unlicensed dental and orthodontic office being operated by an unlicensed dentist. The makeshift dental office was allegedly located inside of a Phoenix apartment and run by a tenant who went by the nickname “Mama Elda.” Special Agents with the Attorney General’s Office later identified “Mama Elda” as Elda Graciela Margez De Zamora.

An undercover AZAG Special Agent set up an appointment with Margez De Zamora on May 18, 2016. The AZAG Special Agent observed Margez De Zamora allegedly treating patients prior to his scheduled appointment as he waited in a waiting area. The waiting area was set up in the apartment living room arranged in a manner similar to a lobby or waiting room at a doctor's office with chairs and magazines. The AZAG Special Agent observed dental instruments, dental trays, and a bed that appeared to be set up as a dental chair. Additionally, adjacent to the bed was what appeared to be dental instruments used by dentists, dental hygienists, and orthodontists such as an air/water syringe, saliva ejector, and a high water evacuator.  Margez De Zamora reportedly resides in Mexico and would allegedly drive to Phoenix to perform dental services for cash.

An open database records check with the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners' online database indicates there are no records for Margez De Zamora as a licensed dentist or dental hygienist. Margez De Zamora is currently being held in the 4th Avenue Jail on a $20,000 cash bond.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Andy Kvesic.

Special Agents with the Attorney General's Office Special Investigations Section Major Fraud Unit investigated this case.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

For additional information, members of the media may contact Mia Garcia, Director of Media Relations at (602) 339-5895 or [email protected].

Full copy of the indictment.