Board committee approves amended RDHAP facility registration language; public commenters raise AED and oxygen access concerns

The Legislation & Regulatory Committee of the Dental Hygiene Board of California on a unanimous vote recommended that the full board approve amended text and an updated Form 4 to clarify registration duties under California Code of Regulations, Title 16, section 1116.5 for registered dental hygienists in alternative practice (RDHAPs).

The committeevote follows a staff-drafted change that distinguishes RDHAPs who merely maintain portable equipment at a physical location from RDHAPs who treat patients at a fixed facility. Dr. Edina Petty, presenting the item, said the amendments make clear that RDHAPs who only store or sterilize portable equipment need not meet facility requirements such as ADA access, on-site toilet facilities or a working AED; RDHAPs who treat patients at a fixed facility must still meet those requirements. She also noted that if an RDHAP does not administer local anesthesia under 16 CCR section 1118, a…