Imposter dentist sentenced to jail

A Virginia woman who was given a chance to show she changed before she was convicted of illegally practicing dentistry was sentenced on December 19 to jail after it was discovered she reportedly continued giving people veneers without a license.

Essence Martin, 33, was sentenced to five days in jail and an additional five months and 25 days suspended on the condition that she maintain good behavior and complete probation for 12 months after her release, according to a press release dated December 19 from the City of Norfolk.

In 2022, the Virginia Department of Health Professions received several complaints that Martin was reportedly placing composite veneers for individuals at her tooth jewelry store Essential Grillz in Norfolk, VA. Though Martin is a certified dental assistant, she did not have a dental license, which is required for this service.

She purportedly provided people with veneers and called the procedure "noninvasive, semipermanent veneers" in the waivers she required clients to sign. An investigation revealed that she allegedly posted videos on her Facebook page showing her placing veneers at her business. Also, chemicals and equipment used to place veneers were found at her store, and investigators spoke to some of her former customers, who told them that Martin gave them veneers.

In August 2022, Martin was indicted on a felony charge of performance of an invasive procedure without a license. In January 2024, Martin entered a deal to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of practicing a profession without a valid license. Judge David W. Lannetti accepted her plea and deferred any finding of guilt pending the court's review of her presentence report, according to the release.

During her presentencing hearing in July 2024, Martin informed the court that she had enrolled at a local college and intended to pursue a professional degree in dentistry. Based on that information, the judge deferred imposing a finding of guilt and gave her one year to show her progress.

In August 2024, one of her former clients came forward saying that Martin continued secretly providing veneer services and that her fake teeth were uncomfortable, but she refused to remove them. After learning of this information, Martin's court date was expedited. At this hearing, Martin failed to provide proof of any grades from college classes. The court found her guilty, according to the press release.

"Ms. Martin had the opportunity, courtesy of the judge and of us, to reform and do better and possibly even avoid a conviction," Commonwealth Attorney Ramin Fatehi said in the release. "She threw away that opportunity by going right back to her criminal behavior."