dental hygienist in clinical setting

Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP)

 

Your Path to Professional Independence!

RDHAP Program Overview

West Los Angeles College's 150-hour RDHAP program is the first and most widely-recognized program of its kind in California.

Approved by the Dental Board of California and the Committee of Dental Auxiliaries at its inception in 2002, and now by the Dental Hygiene Board of California. This program prepares registered dental hygienists to become licensed to operate a private practice providing dental hygiene services in homes, schools, residential facilities, and underserved areas.

Upon successful completion of West LA College's RDHAP program, our graduates qualify to sit for the California State RDHAP written licensing exam set forth by the Dental Hygiene Board of California. Since the RDHAP program's inception at West Los Angeles College, 100% of our program participants have passed the written licensing exam.

Please register for out hybrid (choose in-person or via zoom) RDHAP info session on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM   Information Session

 

 

Contact
Chairperson
Carlos Sermeño, DDS, RDHAP

Faculty Coordinators
Vicky Sanders
@email
(310) 287-4464

 
Office Location
MSB 1st Floor
Office Hours
n/a

Department
Health Sciences

Pathway
Health Sciences
 

Now Accepting Applications for the Spring 2025 Program!

Classes Start on February 28, 2025

For more information, please email: Vicky Sanders at @email or request more information by filling out this form (this is not the application).  

RDHAP Licensing Requirements*

To be eligible for licensing, students will need:

  1. A passing grade on the California RDHAP written licensing exam

  2. A Bachelor's Degree OR a minimum of 120 semester college units from an accredited institution (per DHBC and Title V) 
  3. Verification of a minimum of 2000 hours of employment in clinical practice within the preceding 36 months to the licensing application.
  4. Have an active California Registered Dental Hygiene License
  5. Have a current CPR/BLS card for the Healthcare Provider (offered as Allied Health 021 by WLAC).

Program participants must furnish items 2, 3, and 4 prior to admission to the program.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Steps to submit your application for the Spring 2025

  1. Click on Application Form - Spring 2025 and fill it out completely
  2. Email all your required documents to @email

RDHAP Program Fee

The cost of the RDHAP program is $4,500, which includes all materials and supplies required to complete the course.

Payment may be made by cashier's check, money order, Visa, or Mastercard. A $500 deposit is due with the application to the RDHAP Program. The remaining tuition is paid in three installments of $1,400, $1,300, and $1,300 each (see payment schedule for specific dates).

The installment payment breakdown is as follows:

$500 Deposit when they submit their application 

$1,400.00 - due at the start of the RDHAP program

$1,300.00 – Second installment 

$1,300.00 – Third installment and final payment

Total $4500

RDHAP Schedules

The RDHAP Program includes:

  • 4 weekends (Friday & Saturday) of seminar-style (in-person) continuing education on WLAC campus (with a Live-Zoom broadcasting option )
  • 100 hours of distance learning education
  • 50 hours of Classroom instruction (4 weekends seminar style)

RDHAP Program 2025 Classroom Meetings*:

*Dates subject to change.

All lecture courses will be held at West Los Angeles College. In-person participation is highly encouraged.  Meetings can be offered via zoom live broadcasting for those who cannot attend.

Location: WLAC Campus, Room To Be Announced

Month Days
FEBRUARY/MARCH February 28th & March 1st, 2025
MARCH March 21st & 22nd, 2025
APRIL April 18th & 19th 2025
MAY May 30th & 31st, 2025 (Updated!)

RDHAP Topics

The RDHAP program various covers topics, including the following:

  • Business Plan Development
  1. Legal Issues facing the RDHAP
  2. How to Develop Contracts with Institutions
  3. How to Operate and Administer Your Business including Insurance Billing and Processing
  • Working with Medically Compromised Individuals
  1. Discussion of Case Studies
  2. Scenarios in our Nursing Simulation Classroom Lab
  • Portable Dental Equipment
  1. Practicing RDHAPs demonstrate their dental equipment
  • Infection Control in Alternative Environments
  1. In-person demonstrations in our Nursing Simulation Classroom Lab
  • Marketing for RDHAPs
  1. Techniques and systems used in marketing for acquisition of RDHAP patients

If you would like more info or are ready to sign up, email:

Vicky Sanders
@email