WHAT IS AN RDHAP ?
“A Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice [RDHAP] is a licensed registered dental hygienist with specialized training that holds a specific license to allow him or her to practice in settings outside of the traditional dental office. These practice settings may include but are not limited to schools, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, private homes and in some instances their own RDHAP offices. The RDHAP provides patients the same type of professional preventive care they would receive in a dental office but allows patients to receive this care conveniently.”
Adopted from California Dental Hygienist’s Association
Scope of Practice
In-residence dental hygiene care with minimum stress in a familiar and safe environment.
Preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services designed to enhance the patient’s overall health.
Provide periodic preventive maintenance visits.
Involve and educate caregivers in customized daily maintenance recommendations.
Provide referral to a dentist or coordinate with the patient’s dentist of record for follow-up dental diagnosis and treatment if necessary.
Care is provided to patients in alternative settings: Assisted living communities, Rehabilitation facilities, Senior residential care, Residences of the homebound, Alzheimer/Dementia residences.