Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer’s office has secured a conviction against a female defendant for practicing dentistry without a license in the living room of her Pico-Union District home.

Clara Medina, 58, pleaded no contest to one count of battery likely to produce serious bodily injury. She was sentenced to three years of probation, and 30 days in county jail or 20 days of community labor. Medina was also ordered to stay 100 yards from the victim and pay restitution.

“It’s outrageous for someone with no license or formal training to subject a patient to a root canal – a procedure we allege sent a victim to the hospital,” Feuer said. “Unlicensed dentists and doctors prey upon people who can’t afford insurance or licensed practitioners, putting their victims in great peril.”

Last March, the uninsured female victim sought help for an aching tooth and made an appointment with Medina. The victim was referred by co-workers who had previously had dental work performed by Medina.

The defendant attempted to perform a root canal on the victim while she was seated in a lounge chair in Medina’s living room. The victim subsequently required hospitalization and may have suffered permanent nerve damage.