An unlicensed dentist has been seized for running an illegal surgery in the back of a convenience store just yards from a police station.

Astonished cops stumbled across the surgery in Milford, Massachusetts State, USA, during an unconnected routine check on the store.

Inside the back room, they discovered surgical equipment, anaesthetics, and tooth-polishing gear, reports local media.

Suspect Juan Hermida Munoz, 64, has been charged with unauthorised practice of medicine and dentistry on Monday, 18th September.

The store owner, identified as Maria Magdalena Guaman-Castro, was also arrested in connection with the case and charged with one count of conspiracy.

When asked, Guaman-Castro said she simply rented a room in the rear of the store to Munoz.

The investigation was carried out along with officers from the Milford Detective Bureau and Milford Patrol Division in collaboration with the Board of Health.

Milford Police Department Chief Robert Tusino said detectives found everything from ‘tooth extrication instruments to implant instruments’.

Chief Tusino said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “Mr Munoz is not Board Certified and holds no certifications to practice medicine within the United States.

“The practice puts the lives of patients in danger by unsanctioned and unsanitary conditions in receiving medical treatments.”

He continued: “You’re taking your life in your own hands, I mean, you’re talking about dental surgery.

“There are a lot of patients that need to be pre-dosed with antibiotics because of heart conditions, and that’s just a set-up for disaster.

“I’m sure his intention is not to infect somebody or do a bad job, but unfortunately, the safeguards aren’t in place, the regulations aren’t in place, so it’s really a sad situation.”

One employee at the convenience store said that Munoz reportedly had a lengthy career as a dentist and dental instructor at a university in Ecuador.

They said Munoz only provided dental work to patients who were too broke to go to regular dentists.