Ana Amato Arrested for Unlicensed Dental Work in South River NJ After $1,000 Botched Root Canal

A woman in New Jersey charged $1,000 for a dental job she was not allowed to do. This is dangerous because the patient was left bleeding and needed a doctor.
By Newsroom | Crime, New Jersey |

SOUTH RIVER, NJ – A 49-year-old woman, identified as Ana Amato, of Old Bridge, New Jersey, has been arrested and faces multiple criminal charges, including aggravated assault and practicing dentistry without a license. The allegations stem from an apparent unlicensed dental operation uncovered on Main Street, which culminated in a botched root canal procedure.

The investigation, initiated by a routine dispute call, evolved over several months into a probe by the South River Police Detective Bureau, revealing Amato allegedly performed dental procedures without any valid license. The core of the case involves Amato’s alleged advertising of dental services through a WhatsApp group chat, leading a patient to schedule an appointment. This patient was reportedly charged $1,000 for a root canal, a procedure Amato is accused of beginning but failing to complete, leaving the individual bleeding and requiring further medical attention.

Read More: Nottinghamshire Police Chase Ends in Arrests and Fiat Punto Crash on Monday

UPDATE: New Jersey woman arrested for impersonating dentist -- even attempted root canal! - 1

Authorities executed a search warrant at Amato's office, located at 30 Main Street, Suite 7, in South River, on February 19th. Items believed to be evidence of the unlicensed practice were seized. Amato now faces charges including second-degree aggravated assault, unlawful practice of dentistry, and financial facilitation of criminal activity. The aggravated assault charge carries a potential prison sentence of five to ten years.

The timeline of events indicates the investigation gained momentum after a man reported scheduling an appointment with Amato. This individual reportedly paid Amato $1,000 for a root canal. The procedure allegedly began with anesthetic injections to the gum. However, the situation escalated when Amato informed the patient she could not finish the procedure. The patient subsequently sought medical attention, presenting at police headquarters with gauze in his mouth and still bleeding, which directly prompted Amato's arrest.

Read More: Rutgers Rider and Princeton wrestling teams compete for NCAA spots in March 2026

This situation underscores a concerning intersection of alleged unlicensed medical practice and potential harm to a patient. The charges reflect the seriousness with which authorities are treating the accusations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did South River police arrest Ana Amato on February 19?
Police arrested her because she was doing dental work without a license at 30 Main Street. She is accused of starting a root canal but failing to finish it, which hurt the patient.
Q: How much did the patient pay for the unlicensed dental work in South River?
The patient paid $1,000 for a root canal procedure. Ana Amato allegedly used WhatsApp to find customers for her illegal dental office.
Q: What happened to the patient after the botched root canal in New Jersey?
The patient was left bleeding and had gauze in his mouth after the procedure was stopped. He had to go to the police and then see a real doctor for help.
Q: What prison sentence does Ana Amato face for the unlicensed dentistry charges?
She faces 5 to 10 years in prison for second-degree aggravated assault. She also faces charges for the unlawful practice of dentistry and money crimes.