A local woman has been charged by state investigators with practicing as an “expanded functions dental assistant” for three area practices.
Advertisements
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office charged Rose Calese Horne, 43, of Middletown Township’s Levittown, in early April. Horne faces charges of prohibited use of a radiation source, falsely pretending to hold a professional or occupational license, performing actions in furtherance of false pretense, and theft.
Special agents alleged in their charges that Horne was working as an expanded functions dental assistant without the necessary licensing and certifications.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, an expanded functions dental assistant performs their duties “under the supervision of a licensed dentist, such as coronal polishing, placing and condensing amalgam restoration and other restorative materials, fluoride treatments, including fluoride varnish, placing and removing rubber dams among other functions.” The role can include performing X-rays on patients.
Advertisements
Authorities stated that Horne worked at Bucks County Periodontics in Bensalem Township, Langhorne Family Smiles in Middletown Township, and Levittown Dental Associates in Bristol Township during 2022 and 2023.
The investigation into Horne began last fall after the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office received a tip.
A staff member at Levittown Dental Associates informed law enforcement that Horne was hired as a dental assistant, but she was paid a salary consistent with an expanded functions dental assistant, the attorney general’s office said.
Advertisements
Horne was terminated after her certifications could not be verified a few days into the job, law enforcement said.
Horne assisted with about two dozen patients but did not perform any expanded functions due to the lack of her certifications, court papers said.
The dentist at Bucks County Periodontics told authorities that Horne was hired for a month-long trial as a dental assistant with an expanded functions license, court papers said.
Advertisements
During her three weeks at the office, Horne worked with the dentist on a number of surgeries and took several X-rays, according to the attorney general’s office.
Horne was terminated for spending too much time on her phone and being late, law enforcement said.
The dentist at Langhorne Family Smiles told investigators that Horne showed him a copy of her X-ray certification during her interview, but he did not receive a copy of it during her 20-day employment, authorities said.
Advertisements
The dentist told special agents that she performed coronal polishing and X-rays, authorities said.
Horne was fired from the job for complaining about the work and not being a good team player, authorities said.
Investigators said Horne did not provide proper documentation to verify her certifications at any of the practices.
Advertisements
The Dental Assisting National Board and Pennsylvania Board of Dentistry both did not have records showing that Horne is a licensed expanded functions dental assistant or certified to use dental X-ray equipment, according to court papers.
Horne had a preliminary hearing before District Judge Michael Gallagher earlier this month and is out on $5,000 bail awaiting trial. She was previously held in a Philadelphia jail on a theft case filed in 2021 by city police, according to court records.
Advertisements
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
Advertisements
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
