Houston father and son are accused of practicing dentistry without a license and treating patients in a dirty office

Byron Alberto Zelaya, 58, and his son, Bryant Jesus Zelaya, 31, were charged with unlawfully practicing dentistry. Zelaya’s grandson, 29-year-old Omar Navarrete-Sevilla, faces a similar but lesser charge.

All three were arrested at 6401 Bingle on Monday. Officers with the Houston police’s Major Crimes Unit said the father and son had dental work done inside the filthy office and that the grandson was making a mouthpiece and working with tools.

According to court documents, Byron Zelaya told police he was self-taught, had previously worked in a dental lab, and had interned at Bingle’s office for about a year. The documents say the victim paid $2,000 for cleaning and the brackets to prepare the braces but was alarmed by the unsanitary condition and no degrees or permits on the wall.

Dr. Thomas O’Brien said it was very dangerous for people to perform dental procedures without proper training and licensing.

“The results can be life-threatening,” O’Brien told ABC13. “You can have a deformity of your mouth. Teeth can’t grow back. If you break someone’s tooth, it will come out. It can not only kill you, but it can also change your lifestyle. sterilizing equipment properly. is very important and I bet they are not sterilizing equipment properly.”

O’Brien adds that there are low-cost dental clinics available to those without insurance. Patients can check to see if someone is licensed on Texas State Board of Dental Examiners website.

Since his arrest, Zelayas has been out of prison. Attempts to reach them were unsuccessful.

Houston Police Department urges others who think they are victims to contact the Main Crime Unit at 713-308-3100.

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