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Dental Patients Seek Records, Lost Money After Offices Suddenly Close

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A New York City dental business has suddenly closed, leaving patients scrambling to find a new orthodontist and a way to recoup thousands in lost money.

When CBS 2's Vanessa Murdock arrived at NY Fashion Braces in the Bronx Wednesday morning, someone was inside but they locked the door, walked away and wouldn't come back.

Inside, you could see patient records piled on the counter, exactly what Esperanza Polanco wants to get her hands on.

Polanco's daughter was a patient at the office and says she's been trying for a month to get answers.

"The problem is, they won't open the door," she said.

And the signs on the door are a dead end; no answers, no returned calls or emails, Murdock reported.

"I need information. I need my daughter's medical records. It's like I paid for everything in full already," Polanco said.

Polanco said she paid in cash and has no insurance. Now, she's out nearly $5,000 and she's not the only one, Murdock reported.

"I already paid like $3,000, you know? I don't want to lose my money," Charlee Paulino said.

"No one has returned my phone call. So my daughter doesn't have her medical records so we can go to another orthodontist," Sydney Freire said.

Now these hardworking families want to know if there is any hope of getting their money and records back.

"Now they're caught in the middle," said state Sen. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan). "They paid the full amount, and they haven't gotten the services, and there's nowhere to go."

Espaillat told CBS 2's Jessica Schneider on Tuesday he's asking the attorney general to investigate.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman addressed the complaints.

"We encourage everyone who feels like they have been scammed or abused to get in touch with our office," Schneiderman said.

But the attorney general wouldn't say specifically whether they're investigating NY Fashion Braces. So, for the Polancos it means more of the runaround, Murdock reported.

"Right now I'm trying to get her treatment somewhere else because I can't allow her teeth to be damaged," Polanco said.

The Bronx location is one of two NY Fashion Braces locations. The other, located in Washington Heights, has also been closed.

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