Where is the dentist’s office located? How many individuals work for this office?
Considering many, if not most, dentists employ fewer than 15 employees, the minimum requirement for coverage under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, you likely cannot pursue a federal Title VII sexual harassment claim against your former employer.
However, you may have a viable state law sexual harassment claim depending on where you live. If you live in a state which prohibits statutorily sexual harassment in the workplace and covers small employers (i.e., companies with 14 or fewer employees) under its anti-discrimination law, then you may have a basis for pursuing a claim under state law. For example, in California and the District of Columbia, a company with even one employee remains subject to the local anti-discrimination law.
In contrast, states like Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi do not have a state employment discrimination statute. As a consequence, women subject to workplace harassment which occurs at such small companies in these states do not have statutory right to challenge such abuse.
For the foregoing reasons, you should endeavor to contact a local employment law attorney to ascertain whether you can pursue a sexual harassment claim against your former employer.