Mother, daughter accused of posing as dentists in Oklahoma City sought by authorities

Elizabeth Hinojosa, 47, and Monica Salazar Orozco, 28, both of Oklahoma City, were charged Friday in Oklahoma County District Court with practicing dentistry without a license, a felony. Hinojosa also was charged with one count each of forgery, medical battery and embezzlement.

Warrants were issued for their arrest Thursday, authorities said.

Hinojosa was a dental assistant and her daughter was a receptionist where the alleged crimes took place between September 2010 and May 2011, according to a probable cause affidavit filed with the charges.

Both worked for Dr. Salam Ramadan, who owns and operates Dental Spa locations at 1211 SW 44 and 3315 NW 63 in Oklahoma City.

Ramadan said Friday she didn't find out about the alleged crimes until she was contacted by the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry. The board started investigating after receiving a complaint.

“I was blindsided by it,” she said. “I had no idea it was going on.”

Ramadan said Orozco was caught stealing and never returned to work after police confronted her in early 2009. Hinojosa worked for Ramadan until December 2010.

“She just stopped coming in,” Ramadan said.

“None of these people were my patients,” she said. “Whatever they were doing, they were doing outside the scope of their work here.”