An Atlanta-based veneer specialist, Brandon Dillard, is facing serious legal issues following a police raid on his business, A List Smiles, on Thursday, October 3. The investigation was initiated after a viral TikTok video caught the attention of law enforcement, prompting a response from Fulton County District Attorney investigators and Atlanta police.
Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Brandon Dillard is not a dentist. He’s never been a dentist. And as much as he may want to play one on Instagram, he is not one.” Dillard has been charged with eight felonies, including practicing dentistry and medicine without a license and theft by deception.
According to the allegations, Dillard not only practiced illegal dentistry but also conducted training sessions for individuals aspiring to become “veneer specialists,” charging upwards of $6,000 for this instruction. However, Georgia law does not recognize the role of a veneer specialist or veneer technician.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis expressed concern for the many individuals who paid Dillard for training, stating, “I am not interested in prosecuting those persons. I am interested in them stopping this work and finding out who they are because they are also victims.” She further noted, “They were enticing people to come in to take these classes so that you could get rich, too. But you were getting rich doing something that’s completely illegal.”
Whitney White, a dentist at Aspen Dental in Nevada, warned about the risks associated with unlicensed veneer work, stating, “[Veneer techs’] work can lead to severe consequences such as tooth damage, infections, and even hospitalization.” She stressed the importance of seeking treatment from qualified and licensed dental professionals.
Reports highlight critical differences between legitimate dental practices and the methods employed by veneer techs, including the use of nail supplies like acrylic and equipment sourced from unverified online platforms such as Amazon or Temu.