CALIFORNIA – An Arizona woman faces felony charges for pretending to be a licensed dental hygienist in Santa Clara County for years.
Elizabeth “Mina” Larijani, 50, also known as Elizabeth Garcia Costilla, collectively worked at and attempted to work at more than 10 dental offices in the South Bay between 2015 and 2020.
Investigators in the District Attorney’s Office found her in Glendale, Arizona, where she was working as a dental hygienist. She was extradited to San Jose for her arraignment on May 13, 2022. Larijani was held on $40,000 bail, set by a judge. She was released yesterday. Her next court date is June 13, 2022.
“The last thing someone needs to be worrying about is whether the person cleaning their teeth, or using anesthetics, is licensed to do that work,” DA Jeff Rosen said. “We are grateful to the Dental Board investigators who brought these violations to our attention, and to the law enforcement agencies in Arizona who assisted us in locating the defendant.”
Larijani misrepresented herself as a registered dental hygienist (RDH), often by using the stolen identity of an actual dental hygienist.
When dentists questioned her qualifications, she moved on to another office. Evidence shows that she worked illegally in offices in San Jose and in Campbell.
To become a RDH, a person must apply with the Dental Hygiene Board of California, complete an approved educational program, and pass both written and clinical examinations.
