HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A man who police say isn’t licensed to practice dentistry is accused of seeing patients at his Sharpstown apartment.
Eduardo Rivero Rios, 61, was arrested after police showed up to his apartment on Tuesday afternoon and found multiple people waiting to receive dental care, according to court documents.
Officers say Rivero Rios admitted to performing tooth extractions and cleanings and said he was licensed to practice in Cuba and Venezuela.
Eyewitness News hasn’t been able to verify that, but immigrant healthcare advocate Jorge Olvera said it isn’t hard to believe.
“We have a lot of people, especially in our community, who are licensed in other countries; they’re professional healthcare professionals, but now they come here, they’re unlicensed, and they’re providing services as well,” Olvera said.
While police didn’t provide any information about Rivero Rios’ alleged patients, Olvera fears undocumented immigrants will increasingly turn to unlicensed doctors and dentists due to recent immigration crackdowns.
“That is a fear that’s happened for a long time: people thinking that the hospital systems are gonna report them,” said Olvera.
Since 2024, Texas hospitals that receive state funding have been required to ask patients about their immigration status. But patients aren’t required to answer in order to receive care.
Rivero Rios, who has no criminal history in Harris County, was given a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.
He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
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