Emely Martinez’s arrest in Florida has sent shockwaves through the dental community and among unsuspecting clients who believed they were getting a bargain. Martinez, 35, is accused of performing dental work without a license, leaving a trail of pain and costly repairs in her wake. According to Fox 13 and FOX 13 Tampa Bay, authorities allege that Martinez posed as a veneer technician at the Tapp Inn Beauty Bar in Pinellas Park, luring clients with the promise of full-mouth veneers at a fraction of the price charged by licensed dental offices.
Her marketing strategy relied heavily on social media, where she posted before-and-after videos and images of her clients’ teeth. The discounted rates were hard to resist—while genuine veneers can cost more than $1,000 per tooth, Martinez reportedly charged about $3,000 for an entire set, promising results that would last five to seven years. But the allure of a Hollywood smile quickly faded for at least two customers who suffered pain, infections, and serious complications after their procedures. As reported by Fox 13, these clients turned to Pinellas Park law enforcement when their attempts to seek corrections or refunds from Martinez were flatly refused.
Investigators allege that Martinez used cyanoacrylate glue—more commonly known as “crazy glue” or “superglue”—to attach fake veneers to her clients’ teeth. Pinellas Park Police Sgt. Windy Vater told FOX 13, “They actually have had to pay thousands of dollars to get their teeth fixed, and some of them had to wait for the infection to clear and go get their teeth fixed.” The damage was so severe that some victims required emergency dental work, and authorities believe Martinez may have gone so far as to pull teeth during her procedures. Disturbingly, police also suspect she performed dental work on children.
Martinez’s arrest on August 20, 2025, was not her first brush with the law. Earlier in March, she was arrested in Hillsborough County on similar charges of unlicensed dental work. According to reports, she has a history of using different names and business titles—an apparent effort to evade detection and continue her fraudulent activities. Authorities allege she created multiple businesses to conceal her identity and the scope of her operations.
The American Dental Association (ADA) weighed in on the dangers of such unlicensed procedures, issuing a warning in 2024 that procedures performed by unlicensed veneer technicians have the potential to cause “irreversible harm.” In Martinez’s case, the harm was not only physical but financial. Victims faced hefty bills for corrective dental treatments, sometimes ranging from thousands of dollars to as much as $80,000, according to a Tampa dentist interviewed by WFLA. The dentist emphasized the importance of seeking care from licensed professionals, warning, “These are your teeth, you’re only given one set when you’re an adult. Once they go away, now we’re looking at other products that could cost $50,000 to $80,000 to get you back with teeth chewing.”
For many, the story began with a seemingly innocent online advertisement. Video footage reviewed by Fox 13 shows Martinez’s social media promotions, featuring before-and-after clips that promised dramatic transformations. But behind the glossy images was a lack of proper training, licensing, or oversight. Police allege Martinez had no formal schooling in dentistry, and her veneer application method—using nail glue—posed serious health risks. Sgt. Vater told WFLA that authorities believe Martinez used nail glue to attach the veneers, and it was possible she pulled some clients’ teeth during the process.
When clients experienced complications, Martinez reportedly refused to make things right or refund their money. This reluctance to take responsibility left victims in a difficult position, forced to seek emergency dental care to address infections and repair damaged teeth. The financial burden was often significant, with some victims paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for corrective procedures. According to FOX 13, “multiple victims suffered infections, damaged teeth, and required emergency dental work to reverse the damage.”
Martinez’s alleged scheme extended beyond Pinellas Park. Authorities say she operated in multiple counties, changing her name and business titles to continue her work undetected. Police have not yet determined the total number of victims, but the impact is already clear. The story has prompted renewed calls for vigilance among consumers seeking cosmetic dental procedures. The ADA’s 2024 warning about the dangers of unlicensed veneer technicians now seems especially prescient in light of Martinez’s arrest.
According to arrest warrants reviewed by Fox 13, two people reported Martinez after experiencing pain, infections, and complications following their procedures. Their experiences echo a broader trend of individuals seeking affordable cosmetic enhancements, only to fall prey to unlicensed practitioners operating outside the law. In Martinez’s case, the promise of a low-cost, long-lasting smile proved to be too good to be true.
The legal consequences for Martinez are mounting. She is currently being held on several charges, including scheme to defraud and practicing dentistry without an active license. The charges reflect not only the physical harm inflicted on her clients but also the broader deception involved in her operation. Authorities continue to investigate the extent of her activities, including the possibility that she performed dental work on children and pulled teeth as part of her veneer procedures.
For those who trusted Martinez with their dental health, the aftermath has been painful and expensive. The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with seeking medical or dental care from unlicensed providers. As the Tampa dentist interviewed by WFLA put it, the consequences can be life-altering: “Once they go away, now we’re looking at other products that could cost $50,000 to $80,000 to get you back with teeth chewing.”
Authorities urge anyone considering cosmetic dental work to verify the credentials of their provider and to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. The Martinez case underscores the importance of regulation and oversight in the dental industry, and the potentially devastating consequences when those safeguards are ignored. As the investigation continues, law enforcement and dental professionals alike hope the story will serve as a cautionary tale, prompting greater awareness and vigilance among consumers.
In the end, what began as a search for affordable beauty has left victims with lasting pain and financial hardship—an outcome that stands in stark contrast to the promises made in slick social media ads. The story of Emely Martinez is a sobering lesson in the importance of trust, expertise, and the real cost of cutting corners when it comes to health.
