I'll bet this is more common than we realize.

NAUGATUCK — Police continue to search for a woman who they said operated an illegal dental office out of her apartment, which was filled with used syringes and other unsanitary medical items.

Police are looking for a Brazilian woman, whose name they would not release, who ran a makeshift dental office out of her one-room apartment at 122 Oak St., a residential community off High Street on the east side.

Officers are asking anyone who was her patient or has information about her to contact them.

Lt. Robert Harrison, department spokesman, said police have not received complaints from anyone who received dental services at the home.

He said this is the first time in anyone's memory that the department has investigated an illegal medical operation.

"This is a very unusual investigation," he said. "We want to talk to her to ascertain what type of licensing she does or does not have."

He would not reveal any further information about the woman.

Harrison said police are working with the state Department of Public Health to determine whether the woman might face civil or criminal charges. The state health department has not returned calls for comment.