Tulsa Woman Charged With Impersonating Dentist Angers Patient

A Tulsa woman charged with impersonating a dentist is free on bond. Court records say Paige Maples worked with Bert Franklin, who's accused of murdering a 19-month-old boy.

The Oklahoma Board of Dentistry says it started investigating the dental office six months ago, long before his arrest.

Lou Miller, one of the patients, said she is stunned and angry the woman who has been doing all her dental work is accused of impersonating a dentist.

“Who thinks to check out their dental assistant, ya know,” Miller said.

She started going to Signature Smiles about two years ago; the goal was to straighten her teeth with invisible braces.

Miller said Franklin was supposed to be her dentist, but the only she met him was during the initial consultation.

“I've never seen him since,” Miller said.

Instead, she said Maples stepped in.

Miller said, “She's been doing all the work, all the procedures...switching out the trays...filing my teeth.”

Miller was under the impression Maples was a dental hygienist, although the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry says some patients thought Maples was an actual dentist.

8/16/2016 Related Story: Fraud Charge Filed Against Tulsa Dentist Already Charged With Murder

“Not only was she not a dentist, she wasn't a hygienist,” Miller said. “She was an assistant.”

Court records say Maples is not licensed by the state. The board director confirmed Maples was a dental assistant who should have never worked on patients.

Court documents say Maples examined, diagnosed and repaired one patient's denture, then, wrote a prescription.

We reached out to Maples, who told us to call her attorney, so we did. Her attorney said Maples denies all criminal allegations against her.

So, as the legal process runs its course, patients like, Miller, who paid up front and still aren’t done with the dental work are left to wonder what’s next for them.

“I'm about 3/4 of the way finished,” Miller said. “Does that mean more money? Ya know. I don't know what that means.”

Miller made a complaint with the dental board. She said she can transfer to another office, but is worried she'll have to pay even more money.

The dental board is still investigating.

The director has taken many calls and has set up a special email for patient complaints. You can find more information here.