So You Wanna Be an RDHAP in California: From Squeaky Clean to Independent Dental Machine
Ah, the glamorous life of a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) in California. You're not just scraping plaque anymore, my friend, you're a one-dentist wrecking crew, operating your own show! But before you stock up on dental floss tiaras and nitrous oxide-fueled dance parties (not recommended), there are a few hurdles to jump.
First Things First: You Gotta Be an RDH Already
This ain't for rookies. You need to be a licensed Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) with the golden seal of approval from the California Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC) before you can even think about RDHAP-ing. Think of it as dental hygiene basic training.
Clocking In Those Hours: 2000 Hours of Flossing Fury
Here's where things get interesting. You gotta prove you've been wielding the floss like a pro for at least 2,000 hours in the past 3 years. Think of it as your dental hygiene sweat equity. Were you cleaning chompers in California or another state? Doesn't matter, those hours count!
Bachelor in Your Back Pocket (or Something Close)
Those years of cramming for dental hygiene exams must have left some brain space for other things, right? Because you'll need a Bachelor's degree (or at least 120 college units) to show you're not just all about the sparkly teeth.
School's Back in Session (But Hopefully Less Calculus)
Even though you're a dental hygiene whiz, there's still more to learn! You gotta take a special 150-hour RDHAP educational program. Think of it as RDHAP bootcamp - prepping you for the independent life.
Pro Tip: Check with the DHBC to make sure the program you choose is up to snuff. Don't want to spend 150 hours learning how to knit dental crowns, do you?
Exam Time! (But Hopefully Not Pop Quiz on Flossing Techniques)
Once you've got your RDH, hours, degree, and fancy RDHAP education under your belt, it's time to face the music - the written RDHAP exam. Brush up on those dental regulations and alternative practice protocols. Remember, with great independence comes great responsibility (and maybe a slightly larger dental mirror).
The Finish Line: You're an RDHAP!
Congratulations, superstar! You've conquered the RDHAP requirements and can now set up your own dental hygiene empire (or at least a really nice home office).
Just remember:
- Being an RDHAP means you're the boss, but you're also responsible for everything from billing to keeping your instruments squeaky clean.
- There's a whole lot of paperwork involved, so dust off your inner filing cabinet enthusiast.
But hey, with hard work and a smile (and maybe some industrial-strength mouthwash), you'll be the envy of all the dentally challenged folks in California. Now go forth and conquer dental plaque, one sparkling smile at a time!
