An Arizona dentist has been ordered to implement new safety measures in his offices after an ex-employee was arrested for sexually assaulting and photographing young patients on the job.
Dr. Walter Villanueva, the owner of Kidiatric Dental & Orthodontics, must now have chaperones present when treating children, per an agreement with the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners.
"And although, certainly, Dr. Villaneuva didn't commit these acts, in my mind, he was complacent with it," said Arizona Dental Board President Dr. Anthony Herro. "This is about as heinous and horrific as it gets."
While Villanueva's two locations remain open, he's temporarily banned from treating any patients personally while the investigation continues.
The ruling follows the arrest of former dental assistant Deion Garcia, 27, who pleaded not guilty to 12 felony charges involving three young girls. The victims were just 4 and 6 years old, according to court records per ABC15.
Garcia was first arrested last year after a young girl reported he inappropriately touched her and took photos of her during a dental exam on May 8. Authorities later connected him to two other victims, including a case from 2022 and another incident that allegedly occurred on May 9, 2024, one day after the initial report.
The Arizona Dental Board launched its own investigation after hearing about Garcia's charges. Officials recently voted to impose the new protocols and alleged Villanueva failed to prevent Garcia from being alone with children.
"The doctors and staff of Chandler Kidiatric continue to be shocked and deeply saddened by the allegations. The care and safety of its patients has always been their highest priority," Villanueva's attorney, Cody Hall, wrote in a statement to ABC15.
"Dr. Villanueva will continue to cooperate with the Dental Board through the completion of its investigation, which we believe will confirm that the Kidiatric practices are safe for patients."
Garcia's trial is scheduled for April.
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