2011 California Code
Business and Professions Code
DIVISION 2. HEALING ARTS [500 - 4999.122]
ARTICLE 7. Dental Auxiliaries
Section 1774

(a) The board shall license as a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice a person who demonstrates satisfactory performance on an examination required by the board and, subject to Sections 1760 and 1766, who meets either of the following requirements:

(1) Holds a current California license as a dental hygienist and meets the following requirements:

(A) Has been engaged in clinical practice as a dental hygienist for a minimum of 2,000 hours during the immediately preceding 36 months.

(B) Has successfully completed a bachelor s degree or its equivalent from a college or institution of higher education that is accredited by a national agency recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation or the United States Department of Education, and a minimum of 150 hours of additional educational requirements, as prescribed by the board by regulation, that are consistent with good dental and dental hygiene practice, including, but not necessarily limited to, dental hygiene technique and theory including gerontology and medical emergencies, and business administration and practice management.

(2) Has received a letter of acceptance into the employment utilization phase of the Health Manpower Pilot Project No. 155 established by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 128125) of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) Subject to the provisions of subdivisions (b) and (h) of Section 1775, the board, in consultation with the committee, shall adopt regulations in accordance with Section 1748 necessary to implement this section.

(c) The Director of Consumer Affairs shall review the regulations adopted by the board in accordance with Section 313.1.

(d) A person licensed as a registered dental hygienist who has completed the prescribed classes through the Health Manpower Pilot Project (HMPP) and who has established an independent practice under the HMPP by June 30, 1997, shall be deemed to have satisfied the licensing requirements under Section 1774, and shall be authorized to continue to operate the practice he or she presently operates, so long as he or she follows the requirements for prescription and functions as specified in this section and Section 1775, with the exception of subdivision (e) of Section 1775, and as long as he or she continues to personally practice and operate the practice or until he or she sells the practice to a licensed dentist.

(Added by renumbering Section 1768 by Stats. 2002, Ch. 810, Sec. 20. Effective January 1, 2003.)