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What is an RDHAP?
RDHAP (Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice) is a dental hygienist with specialized training and an additional license that allows the dental hygienist to work in settings other than a dental office. RDHAPs address access to care barriers by serving vulnerable patient populations.
RDHAP practitioners provide dental hygiene services to places such as:
Private Homes
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Independent Care Facilities
Assisted Living Facilities
Group Homes
Retirement Communities
Hospitals and Clinics
Schools
Adult and Special Needs Daycare
Areas of Dental Professional Shortage
How can I make an appointment?
Call or Text - (707)339-8060
Email - hygienease.dental@gmail.com
Availability is by appointment only.
You do not need a referral to make an appointment.
Please do not use our online scheduler for making in-home services.
What should I expect after making my new patient appointment?
You will receive an email from HygienEase with registration instructions.
What dental hygiene services does HygienEase provide on the initial appointment?
The initial appointment includes:
Comprehensive medical and dental history review
Oral cancer screening
Intraoral and extraoral photos
Dental examination
Periodontal (gums) evaluation
Treatment plan
Dental cleaning
Fluoride Treatment
Oral Hygiene Instruction
Once a treatment plan is reviewed and consent is obtained, dental cleaning and other services can be provided the same day.
Can HygienEase (in-home services) provide dental hygiene care to caregivers or dependents, who have decreased access to care because of taking care of a family member/friend/patient who is homebound?
The Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC) asserts:
“After research and consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), pursuant to Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 1926, RDHAPs may only provide services to patients who are homebound or in a residential facility. Subdivision (c) specifically references patients, and a caregiver would not be eligible under subdivision (a) since they are not homebound.”
The law states that an RDHAP can treat any California citizen (BPC 1900) in specific settings (BPC 1926), using the Alternative Practice license (RDHAP). RDHAPs are required by law to have a documented relationship with a consulting dentist, but this does not mean that the dentist is their employer. Patients treated by an RDHAP under the supervision of a licensed dentist are considered a subset of “all of the state’s citizens” (BPC 1902, 1909-1914).
“Homebound” means a person who is unable to receive care in a dental office or clinic due to a disabling physical or mental condition” (16 CCR 1103).
Family members, caregivers and dependents are welcome to schedule an appointment in our physical office in Hidden Valley Lake, CA. Please see our website at www.hygienease-dental.com for more information. They can also schedule an appointment using our online scheduler for appointments OR call, text and email us as well.
Are you providing care in a van or the home?
HygienEase is not a van operation. We arrive at homes or facilities with portable equipment to provide comprehensive dental hygiene care.
What Doctor does HygienEase work for?
Dental Hygienists with an RDH (registered dental hygiene) license work in dental offices employed by a dentist. Dental Hygienists with an RDHAP (registered dental hygiene in alternative practice) license are independent contractors. They can deliver professional dental hygiene care to dental offices and other facilities such as Private Homes, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Independent Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Group Homes, Retirement Communities, Hospitals and Clinics, Schools, Adult and Special Needs Daycare and Areas of Dental Professional Shortage.
Carmelyn has both RDH and RDHAP licenses; she can provide professional dental hygiene care in dental offices, private homes, and healthcare facilities.
My loved one is in a wheelchair/bed and cannot be moved. Can you still provide care?
Yes. We provide bedside care and care to clients using a wheelchair.
My loved one has Dementia/Alzheimer's disease. Can you still provide care?
Yes. RDHAP specializes in providing dental hygiene care to clients with memory care concerns and has specific training to meet the client's needs.
Do you accept insurance?
HygienEase is not a PPO provider or to any insurance. We are a fee per service provider. We offer a courtesy service by providing a printed insurance claim form and an itemized receipt. Clients can then submit these documents to their insurance carrier for reimbursement.
How are payments made for services provided?
Payment is due in advance or at the time of service. We accept cash, check and digital payment via Zelle.
Do you practice infection control?
We follow infection control protocols, CDC, OSHA, and HIPAA guidelines. We use disposable (one-time use) products whenever possible while providing care. We sterilize our instruments and sanitize our equipment abiding with infection control protocols after each use. All providers are fully COVID vaccinated.
What is the liability of the referring provider?
No more than when referring to any other specialist. Carmelyn carries professional liability insurance.
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