Manhattan Man Pleads Guilty to Practicing Dentistry Without a License in Roslyn

Diba admits performing root canals on two patients despite not being a licensed dentist

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that a Manhattan man has pleaded guilty to the top count against him after he was arrested for performing two root canals on patients, despite not being a licensed dentist.

Paul Diba, 41, pleaded guilty to Unauthorized Practice, a violation of New York State Education Law. He is expected to receive probation and a $5,000 fine at his sentencing July 22. 

Rice said that from June 1, 2007 until his April 6 arrest, Diba had held himself out to the public and practiced as an endodontist, a dentist that performs root canals, despite the fact that he is not now, or has ever been, licensed as a dentist anywhere. On at least two occasions, Diba performed root canals on two patients at his Roslyn office.

Rice said that Diba purchased an existing dental practice and began practicing in June 2007. In March 2008, a patient who had been referred to Diba by her regular dentist complained that Diba had to drill her teeth three times before finding the correct tooth. Rice said that prescriptions written by Diba were written on a pad bearing the name of his wife, a practicing dentist in Manhattan.

“Mr. Diba will no longer be playing make believe and endangering people’s health,” Rice said. “It is imperative that people do their research when choosing a doctor or dentist to ensure they receive proper care from a licensed professional.”

The New York State Department of Education and the National Insurance Crime Bureau assisted in the investigation.

Handling the case for the District Attorney's Office is Deputy Chief William Wallace of the Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau. The defendant is represented by Joseph Macy, Esq.