Quack dentists pulled healthy teeth on credit.

      A large-scale dental scam has been uncovered in Udmurtia: the number of defendants in the criminal case has risen to 17. Arrests were carried out in several cities — Izhevsk, Moscow, Barnaul and Naberezhnye Chelny.

      According to the investigation, members of the criminal group lured clients with promises of free panoramic diagnostics and consultations. After that, the so‑called “curators” persuaded patients that urgent and costly treatment was necessary, which in reality proved to be either excessive or entirely unnecessary. In some cases people were offered to have perfectly healthy teeth removed or to have them “restored,” the newspaper Kommersant reports.

      Payment for services was coerced through loans arranged directly in the clinics. According to the Interior Ministry, people were effectively not allowed to leave the medical facility until contracts were signed and the loans processed.

      So far at least 14 victims from Udmurtia have been identified, but there are victims in other regions as well. The total damage is estimated at more than 4 million rubles. During searches, investigators seized over 12 million rubles in cash, 46 bank cards, two cars and documentation from the suspects.

      Earlier reports said that 13 employees of the Dent-Line dental clinic in Izhevsk are involved in the case. Nine defendants have been remanded in custody, one has been placed under house arrest, and three others are subject to restrictions on certain actions. The investigation is ongoing.