Dental hygienist claims former boss forced workers to practice Scientology

A former employee of an Orange County dental office says her former boss tried to force staffers to practice Scientology.

News 12 Staff

Aug 29, 2019, 12:11 AM

Updated 1,701 days ago

Share:

A former employee of an Orange County dental office says her former boss tried to force staffers to practice Scientology.
Sarah Martinez says she was fired from Waldron Family Smile Center in Middletown for refusing to convert.
Martinez says the owner of the office, Dr. Michael Waldron, requires new employees to sign a contract mandating employees to go to Florida on the office's dime several times a year for conferences, where "you will be expected to study and learn basic information about the Hubbard Management System."
L. Ron Hubbard is the founder of Scientology.
Martinez says she was told the lessons were dental seminars, but she quickly learned the books she was reading had nothing to do with dental work, but were loaded with symbols associated with Scientology.
Martinez says she went on the trip twice because she had bills to pay and didn't want to get fired. However, when she warned new employees earlier this week about what goes on in Florida, she claims she was fired.
"The manager called me downstairs and she said, 'Well, today is your last day because we heard you were talking to people in the office about what goes on down there,'" Martinez said.
Martinez says two other employees have also been let go this year. She says she's telling her story publicly because she believes she was discriminated against and is worried about the other staffers there.
News 12 reached out to Waldron but did not hear back.


More from News 12
1:49
Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

0:56
Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

2:30
Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:07
Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

0:23
Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

0:42
Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

1:54
State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

2:07
​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

0:44
Carmel Board of Education expected to approve budget that cuts more than $5 million

Carmel Board of Education expected to approve budget that cuts more than $5 million

0:36
Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

0:31
Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

0:40
Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

0:57
Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

0:28
Police officer's conduct under review following shoplifting incident at Newburgh Walmart

Police officer's conduct under review following shoplifting incident at Newburgh Walmart

0:31
Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:41
Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck

Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck

1:49
Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

0:32
Repeat offender arrested on trespassing charge in Ulster County

Repeat offender arrested on trespassing charge in Ulster County