What is an RDHAP?

Everyone deserves regular dental care. A Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice or RDHAP is licensed to provide dental hygiene care without the supervision of a dentist. We can take dental hygiene care to those with limited access to care in the tradition dental office setting. We are the mid-level dental hygiene care providers in the state of California.

What does this mean? The RDHAP can take his or her dental hygiene practice to the patient’s home, bedside, school, or other setting. Some RDHAPs have their own dental hygiene office. There they provide safe and thorough care for their patients.

Who are these patients with special needs? In general, the RDHAP patient-

• Has illnesses or disabilities that make a trip to the dental office difficult or impossible.
• Has financial hardships that qualify them for Medi-Cal Dental insurance.
• Live in areas where there are not enough dentists to serve them.
• Are confined to living in residential care facilities. *

This website was created by two RDHAPs who saw the need for family members or caregivers of those people with special health care needs to be better able to get their teeth cleaned safely and regularly. On this website, they can connect with the RDHAP who can meet that need.

*Martinez T, Lum A. 2021 Dental Hygiene Board of California Law and Regulations. 2021: 43.

*Accessed April 4, 2022.