Home / Crime and Justice / Thousands Lost to Unlicensed 'Orthodontist' as Charges Mount
Thousands Lost to Unlicensed 'Orthodontist' as Charges Mount
13 Aug
Summary
- New criminal charge added for alleged fraudulent dental services.
- Woman accused of practicing orthodontics without a license.
- Patients allege thousands of dollars lost for unfinished treatment.
Ebony McBean, accused of providing orthodontic services without a license, is now facing an additional criminal charge. The newly added charge is obtaining property by false pretenses, bringing her total to five criminal counts. These include three existing counts of obtaining property by false pretenses and one count of practicing medicine without a license.
McBean allegedly presented herself as a licensed orthodontist and charged at least one victim over $2,800. This situation came to light after an investigation prompted by former patients who contacted ABC11. These patients reported that McBean, who operated The Smiling Face Company in Raleigh, shut down her business abruptly.
Patients further alleged they had paid McBean thousands of dollars for treatments that were left incomplete, with some still wearing braces. Arrest warrants indicate McBean took substantial sums for fraudulent dental services and practiced without a North Carolina Medical Board license. McBean acknowledged she was not licensed but stated a doctor was overseeing treatments. Her next court appearance is scheduled for later this month.
