Bay Area man accused of pretending to be fake dentist

SAN CARLOS, Calif. -- A Bay Area man is accused of pretending to be a dentist and manufacturing drugs.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that a 59-year-old man is being held in San Mateo County jail on suspicion of offenses that include manufacturing controlled substances, possessing brass knuckles and possessing ammunition as a felon.

Joseph Hirsch was arrested after a three-month investigation that included officials from the state Department of Dentistry.

When law enforcement officials served a search warrant on the suspect, they discovered a crude dentist's office, with dentist's chair, X-ray machine and dental tools.

Officials say it isn't clear if any patients were injured as a result of treatment at the makeshift dentist's office, though they believe he was offering services from his office.