About

A registered dental hygienist (RDH) is a dental health specialist that promotes the prevention of oral and systemic disease, provides non-surgical periodontal therapy, and helps maintain the overall dental health of the population. There are currently three licensure categories A registered dental hygienist (RDH) is a dental health specialist that promotes the prevention of oral and systemic disease, provides non-surgical periodontal therapy, and helps maintain the overall dental health of the population. There are currently three licensure categories in California.

RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist)

An applicant must complete pre-requisite college credits of approximately two years in such disciplines as the sciences and communications. They may then apply to an accredited associate or bachelor’s degree dental hygiene program.

To practice in the State of California, all registered dental hygienists (RDH) must graduate from an accredited program of either 18 continuous months or 2 years depending on the institution. They must pass the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and the California Law and Ethics Examination. For more information contact the Dental Hygiene Board of California, which is the licensing board governing the practice of dental hygiene in California.

A clinical RDH works primarily under the general supervision of a licensed dentist with three direct supervision duties. The RDH will evaluate a patient by accomplishing intra and extra oral assessments (including a screening for oral cancer and myofunctional disorders), take x-rays, provide a preventive cleaning (prophylaxis), apply topical fluoride, complete sealants and offer patient-specific preventative and educational services that lead to good oral health.

A major role of the dental hygienist is to perform therapeutic non-surgical periodontal therapy, which includes periodontal charting, periodontal scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), and periodontal maintenance procedures for patients with periodontal disease. RDHs may take dental impressions for the construction of study casts, bleaching trays and mouth guards.

An RDH may also be employed in public health settings where an RDH may have a variety of functions. With advanced education, dental hygienists are researchers, educators, administrators, work in public health or join dental hygiene related businesses providing education and sales support.

RDHEF (Registered Dental Hygienist in Expanded Functions)

The RDHEF is first an RDH and may perform all of the functions of an RDH.

To obtain the EF license, the applicant must be an RDH that gains additional training in functions/procedures in a facility associated with a dental school. Those procedures are performed in a dental office under the supervision of the dentist. Procedures might include taking impressions for orthodontic appliances, space maintainers, mouth guard or impressions for cast restorations. They might also include making patterns for endodontic castings, fitting trial endodontic fillings or applying etchant for bonded restorations.

The RDHEF was established by the legislature to extend the dentist’s ability to provide proscribed services.

RDHAP (Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice)

The RDHAP must first be an RDH and provides the general supervision functions of an RDH without supervision and generally outside of the traditional dental office.

An applicant must have worked as an RDH for a minimum of 3,000 hours, have a Bachelor’s Degree or the equivalent and receive an additional 160 hours of education and training in a program approved by the Dental Hygiene Board of California.

Upon licensure, the RDHAP provides dental hygiene services in a variety of locations such as the residences of the homebound, schools, dental offices, skilled nursing facilities, and institutions. RDHAPs may have a mobile (van) practice or a portable equipment practice. They may establish a brick-and-mortar practice in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas. The RDHAP may establish their business as an independent contractor, sole proprietor or corporation. The RDHAP can bill dental insurance and may enroll in the MediCal Dental program and many private insurances as a primary provider.

The RDHAP was established to bring dental hygiene care and treatment to patients who lack access to oral health care and connect patients to the oral healthcare system. Many are still woman owned businesses. Yet, the profession continues to grow in diversity.