A man has been arrested for falsely claiming to be a qualified dentist after pulling teeth without anaesthetic.

One man had TEN TEETH extracted without any pain relief, while the fake dentist also offered dental exams and made false teeth for people, according to Florida police.

Robert ‘Robbie’ Rheinlander was arrested on Wednesday after a detective from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Department went undercover and arranged to have dental work done by him.

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They were tipped off about the underhanded dental practice when a couple asked to speak to a detective after the wife was left with medical problems caused by a tooth fragment that Rheinlander had left in her mouth.

The couple also put detectives on to another patient – a man from whom Rheinlander had removed ten teeth without anaesthetic.

Rheinlander got around the need for a dental practice by telling patients that house calls would save them money, according to police reports.

He was arrested in Bradenton, Florida, on suspicion of practising dentistry without a licence.

He is reported to have told patients that he had been a dentist in South Carolina before moving to Florida, according to the Bradenton Herald.

Records show he did work as a dental technician between 2004 and 2006, he was disciplined there, and holds no dental licence valid in the state of Florida.

Lead image: Manatee County Sheriff’s Department