An Amish Dentist

Many Amish people have different needs to consider when seeking dental care. Approach with curiosity and provide information. Please be kind and compassionate when you are providing them with care. Thank you for reading.-Mary

When I was fourteen years old, I dealt with a lot of dental issues. Prior to my encounter with Paul, my family had taken me to a licensed dentist. I heard a lot of comments about the expense of my dental needs, and how we can’t afford that. My options felt like they were to be in pain or seek out the approved by my stepfather dentist. An Amish man by the name of Paul, who proceeded to pull my last teeth in his living room after injecting my mouth with non-human products to numb the area.

I had already heard all about the expense of my teeth, multiple times over. It was unnecessary to spend money on an actual dentist to work on my teeth because Licensed Dentists cost too much money. I have spoken about this publicly for years. I’ve written about it in my book: Reflections and Memories of an Amish Misfit. I believe it was reported along with the other crimes; however, he continued to practice.

I was informed in November of 2025, by a licensed dentist, that I have another piece of bone working out of my gums more than twenty years after this. I am still paying for the care in the pain that I am experiencing.

Imagine my shock when I connected with a woman from a community I once lived in, who updated me on the dental practice in Paul’s living room. Sara Miller informed me that Paul did dental work for her family, including children.

·         Multiple children ended up seeking emergency care in the local hospital after his treatments.

·         Some people had to have surgery to remove fragments of teeth that were improperly extracted,

·         Some people needed treatment for infections

·         Other people needed reconstructive surgery.

The solution was granted by the county sheriff, who informed Bishop Dan Miller, that Paul must stop practicing dentistry without an appropriate education and a license. Paul agreed and stopped.

However, where is the compensation for the medical care people had to seek for themselves and their children?

Where is the accountability?

If it's criminal to practice medicine or dentistry without a license, why were there no charges filed?

Wisconsin Legislature states:

447.03 License required.

(1) Dentists. Except as provided under sub. (3) and ss. 257.03 and 447.02 (3), no person may do any of the following unless he or she is licensed to practice dentistry under this subchapter or holds a compact privilege to practice dentistry:

(a) Practice or offer to practice dentistry.

(b) Use or permit to be used, directly or indirectly, for a profit or otherwise for himself or herself, or for any other person, the title, or append to his or her name the words or letters, “doctor”, “Dr.”, “Doctor of Dental Surgery”, “D.D.S.”, or “D.M.D.”, or any other letters, titles, degrees, terms or descriptive matter, personal or not, which directly or indirectly represent him or her to be engaged in the practice of dentistry. (“Wisconsin Legislature: 447.03 (1m)”)

(c) Inform the public directly or indirectly in any language, orally, in writing or printing, or by drawings, demonstrations, signs, or other means that he or she can perform or will attempt to perform dental services of any kind. (Justia U.S. Law, 2025)”

Thankfully, I was informed he is no longer practicing dentistry without a license, but where is the justice in this?

What is the message this sends to people who experience this?

References

Justia U.S. Law. (2025). 2025 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations. Retrieved from Justia U.S. Law: https://law.justia.com/codes/wisconsin/chapter-447/section-447-03/#:~:text=Except%20as%20provided%20under%20sub,or%20offer%20to%20practice%20dentistry

Wisconsin Legislature: 447.03 (1m), https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/447/i/03/1m