One of the perks of being a member of RDHAP Connect is being featured in a member spotlight on our website and social media pages. Today we’re spotlighting Irene Alvarez, RDHAP, BS. Read below for our interview with Paula!
Tell us a little about yourself. Where is your practice? Where did you attend dental hygiene school and take your RDHAP training?
I practice in the Mariposa, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Amador, Tuolumne, and Calaveras Counties.
I went to San Joaquin Valley College in Visalia for Dental Hygiene and graduated in 2005. For the RDHAP program, I went to UOP and graduated in 2007
• What made you decide to become an RDHAP?
I thought I would be able to make a difference by seeing patients who had a barrier to receiving dental care in a traditional setting.
• What type of RDHAP practice do you have? Do you practice where the patients live, work, or go to school? Do you have a free-standing office?
I specialize in patients with disabilities. I do home visits. Sometimes I do the appointment in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, garage, backyard, or even in my car.
I will also be starting to see patients in a behavioral therapist’s office in Manteca soon.
• What do you do if you find your dental hygiene patient needs to see a dentist for care?
When a patient is a Regional Center patient, I inform the Regional Center, and they give the patient a referral to see a dentist who will work with them. I also refer patients to a local dentist in the city of Merced who will see the patients who can undergo dental work without having to be sedated.
• How do your patients pay for your services?
The patients who receive services from the regional centers get their services paid for by the regional center. Those that are not l pay cash or I bill their private insurance.
• Once you complete their dental hygiene care, then what?
I do continuing care for my patients every 3, 4, or 6 months.
• Is there anything else you would like to share with patients, family members, or other health professionals who care for people who can’t care for themselves?
I would like to say thank you for making a difference and thank you for caring!
How to Contact Irene Alvarez, RDHAP, BS:
(209) 658-1007
Are you an RDHAP and would like to be a part of our member spotlight? To become a member? Click HERE!