Unlicensed Dental Assistant Sentenced For Performing Work In Lower Bucks County

February 4, 2025

An agent with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. Credit: PA Internet News Service

A woman has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges for falsely claiming to be a certified dental assistant and performing advanced dental procedures without a license.

Rose Calese Horne, 44, of the Levittown section of Middletown Township, was sentenced last week by Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Judge Stephen Corr to 18 to 36 months in prison.

Horne admitted to felony prohibited use of a radiation source and impersonation of a holder of a professional or occupational license. Additional charges did not move forward as part of the plea.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office said Horne misrepresented her qualifications to several dental practices in Lower Bucks County and claimed she was licensed to perform complex procedures such as installing crowns and bridges, filing down fillings, administering local anesthesia, and assisting in root canal surgeries.

Horne’s scheme came to light in fall 2023 after a tip led to an investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

The investigation revealed the woman had worked as dental practices in Bensalem Township, Middletown Township, and Bristol Township.

Horne improperly took X-rays of five patients, despite lacking the necessary training and certification, authorities said.

Horne was reportedly terminated from two of the dental offices for poor teamwork and excessive use of her phone during work hours.

Neither the Dental Assisting National Board nor the Pennsylvania Board of Dentistry had records of Horne being certified as an expanded functions dental assistant or authorized to use dental X-ray equipment, authorities said.

In addition to her prison term, Corr ordered Horne to undergo a mental health evaluation.

“The defendant put patients at risk by performing procedures for which she was unqualified and untrained,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Sunday said. “Licenses and certifications exist for a reason — to assure employers and patients the care being provided is legitimate and safe.”