The importance of seeking a properly-accredited professional when in need of root canal treatments and other dental procedures has been highlighted by a case in the US.
Dr Deepika Reddy from the East Syracuse Family Dental Arts in New York has been ordered to retrain and fined $1,000 (£642) after causing a number of patients serious harm and suffering.
She caused infections in seven patients between 2005 and 2010 and fractured the jaws of two others, including one person who only went in to have his teeth cleaned.
Dr Reddy also broke off files during root canal treatments and left them inside patients' teeth, causing severe infections.
She will not be allowed to perform any more procedures until she has taken courses at Buffalo Dental School after being found guilty of professional misconduct and negligence.
Ironically, the motto of Dr Reddy's practice is 'Smile, you're in good hands'.
In September 2010, Vinisha Sharma, 37, was prosecuted for fraud after working as a dentist for nine years in Wolverhampton despite having no qualifications.
