NORFOLK, Va. ( WAVY ) — A Norfolk woman will spend time in jail after being convicted of practicing dentistry without a license, following accusations that she illegally performed veneer procedures at her tooth jewelry business.
Essense Martin, 33, was found guilty of the misdemeanor charge and sentenced to five days in jail. A judge also ordered Martin to serve five months and 25 days of suspended time, along with 12 months of supervised probation.
The case against Martin began in early 2022 when the Virginia Department of Health Professions received complaints about her business, Essential Grillz LLC. While Martin’s business is legally permitted to offer grillz and tooth jewelry, authorities say she crossed the line by performing composite veneer procedures — a practice that requires the use of invasive tools and chemicals.
While Martin is a certified dental assistant, her certification does not allow her to perform dental procedures like placing veneers. Authorities say she misled clients, calling the service “noninvasive semi-permanent veneers” in the waivers she had them sign.