The woman accused of posing as an orthodontist faces an additional charge.
According to the new indictment, Ebony McBean received nearly $3,000 from a patient sometime between March 2024 and September 2025 for services she was not licensed to perform.
Other WRAL Top Stories
WRAL Investigates first talked to patients in November, after The Smiling Face Company closed abruptly. Police arrested McBean months later.
She now faces a total of five charges. Court records show that the indictment was filed on July 14, 2026 for the new felony count of obtaining property by false pretense. According to court records, she posted a $3,000 unsecured bond.
Based on a TikToker’s positive review, Rebecca Baldwin decided to reach out to The Smiling Face Company.
“I've never had beautiful teeth, and when I was seeing all these pictures and everything and had a glimpse of hope that I could afford and look like a normal human being instead of having big gaps in my teeth, I jumped at the chance,” she told WRAL Investigates.
Baldwin said McBean put on her veneers in April 2024. She said she paid $3,100. Now, she said she is receiving quotes anywhere from $20,000 to nearly $40,000 to replace them.
“[Ebony] told me they would last like three to five years,” Baldwin said.
Two and a half years later, Baldwin reports yellowing, cracking and chipping teeth.
“I wish I could find somebody who would fix them, but I've been told nobody will,” she said.
Baldwin said she takes the experience as a “loss.”
“It's like everybody's had really positive reviews with her. She's very charismatic. She seems to know what she's doing. Did I ever meet a doctor? No, I never met him at all. But I mean, that was a big red flag. Looking back, like I should have known better.”
On the now defunct business website, McBean’s title was listed as “Senior Smile Architect.”
“With almost two decades in the dental/orthodontic field, our founder and lead assistant Ebony has gained extensive knowledge on helping patients achieve their dream smiles,” the website read. “Ebony is a community activist and champion for healthcare and shows her commitment by regularly leading initiatives and volunteering in various local programs focused on empowering and uplifting our community.”
McBean has repeatedly avoided WRAL Investigates and our questions. For this story, we requested an interview through her attorney and did not immediately hear back.
You can verify a provider’s license status on the NC Dental Board website.
