A Pinellas County woman who promised “smile makeovers” on social media is now facing mounting accusations that go far beyond false advertising. Police say Emely Martinez, who marketed herself as a veneer technician, was carrying out full dental procedures without a license—sometimes with nothing more than glue and store-bought materials—leaving her customers in pain and scrambling for emergency care.
Investigators allege Martinez lured clients with cut-rate deals at the Tapp Inn Beauty Bar in Pinellas Park, offering complete sets of veneers for about $3,000. Real veneers can run $900 to $1,500 per tooth. She claimed the results would last up to seven years. For victims, the reality was infections, broken teeth, and thousands more in repair costs.
According to arrest warrants, the shortcut she relied on was as crude as it was dangerous: she used crazy glue to attach fake veneers. Some customers reported that within days they were dealing with pain, swelling, and signs of infection. One victim said their teeth were so damaged that an emergency dentist had to intervene just to save them. “She is not licensed to put in veneers. She has no schooling to do veneers. And in the state of Florida, obviously you have to be licensed to do any kind of work like that,” said Sgt. Windy Vater with the Pinellas Park Police Department.
The allegations stretch back months. Police believe Martinez has been performing unlicensed dental work since at least January, even after she was arrested in March on a separate warrant out of Hillsborough County for similar charges. Despite that arrest, authorities say she simply kept operating in Pinellas County, changing her business names and even, at times, her own name.
Two victims came forward in June and July, filing reports after confronting her about her lack of credentials. Police say there are claims she may have pulled teeth and even attempted dental work on children.
The American Dental Association, which last year issued a national warning about so-called “veneer techs,” has stressed the dangers of exactly this kind of underground dentistry. “Any dental procedure that may alter the physical structure of an individual’s teeth, gums or jaws without the supervision of a dentist has the potential to cause irreversible harm,” the ADA said in a statement.
For Martinez’s victims, the harm is already real. They’ve been left to deal with infections, fractured teeth, and the financial fallout of fixing botched work. Many have had to wait weeks for infections to clear before licensed dentists could begin costly repairs.
Martinez is due in court later this month on the Hillsborough County charges. Meanwhile, Pinellas Park police are urging anyone who may have received treatment from her to come forward.
