Four Months on an Expired License
Renee is an RDH whose New Jersey license expired on June 30 while she was caring for her father. She continued working three days a week at a Flemington practice for four months because the office manager said the state is 'behind on renewals' and 'nobody checks.' In October, Renee completed 30 CE hours, including 2 hours of infection control, but she cannot locate certificates for 12 of those hours. The dentist now asks her to sign a backdated employment form stating she was on unpaid leave since July 1. A patient's insurance company requests treatment records for a crown seat date in August. Renee is nervous. The practice also advertises 'licensed hygienists' on its website. Renee worries about losing her job if she objects.
1. What is Renee's licensure status, and what are the consequences of the four months of work?
Read the worked answer
Her license was expired, so she was not authorized to practice dental hygiene during those four months. A renewal application submitted later does not retroactively validate services; completion of CE in October also does not cure the gap. Practicing without a current license is unlicensed practice, a violation that can lead to Board discipline, civil penalties, and possible criminal exposure. The fact that the office manager said the state was behind or that nobody checks is not a defense; licensees are personally responsible for renewal. The insurance claim for the August crown seat is also problematic because it may have been submitted for services rendered when the practice's hygienist was unlicensed, depending on who performed the service. Renee should stop working immediately until she obtains a valid license and should not sign any document that misstates her status.
2. Should Renee sign the backdated employment form? Analyze.
Read the worked answer
No. Signing a backdated form that says she was on unpaid leave from July 1 would be a false statement. It would falsely suggest she was not practicing during the period when she was in fact treating patients. That is potentially fraud and unprofessional conduct, and it could be used against her in a Board or insurance investigation. The dentist's request also places Renee in the position of helping conceal unlicensed practice. She should refuse, ask for the request in writing if safe to do so, and keep her own copy of her actual work dates. If the employer pressures her, she should seek advice from an attorney or the Board before signing anything.
3. How should Renee handle the missing CE certificates and the insurance records request?
Read the worked answer
For CE, she should reconstruct her records: contact course providers for duplicate certificates, obtain transcripts or attendance verifications, and keep a log of the 30 hours, including the 2 infection-control hours. If she cannot document 12 hours, she should not claim them; she should take additional documented CE if needed and disclose the gap honestly in any reinstatement application. For the insurance request, she should ensure the records are accurate and complete, including the August crown seat date, and should not alter them to protect the practice. If the records show treatment during the lapse, she should not falsify them. She may need to notify the dentist and insurer of the correct dates through the proper compliance channel, and she should consult the Board's reinstatement requirements. The practice's website claim of 'licensed hygienists' should be corrected if it is now false.