Bucks County Dental Assistant Jailed at Least 18 Months for Performing Unlicensed Dental Work

February 3, 2025 | Topic: Criminal

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that an unlicensed dental assistant will serve 18 to 36 months in prison for making false representations about her certifications, which enabled her to perform advanced procedures on patients.

Rose Calese Horne, 44, of Levittown, pleaded guilty to felony prohibited use of a radiation source, and misdemeanor impersonating a holder of a professional or occupational license, and was recently sentenced by a Bucks County Judge. 

Horne fooled employers by claiming to be licensed to perform expanded functions, such as installing crowns and bridges, filing down fillings, administering local anesthesia, and assisting with root canal surgeries. 

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

Horne was hired by three different dentists in Bucks County between October 2022 and October 2023, while lying about her qualifications. An investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General uncovered that Horne was not licensed, as she claimed, by the PA State Board of Dentistry. 

During Horne’s time at one of the dental practices, she took X-rays of five patients, even though she was not trained or licensed to perform X-rays. 

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Thomas Ost-Prisco.

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