Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)

 

What is an RDHAP?
 

An RDHAP stands for Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice. An RDHAP is a licensed dental hygienist in California who is specially authorized to provide preventive dental hygiene services independently in community-based settings, residential facilities, and mobile care environments.
 

What services do you provide?
 

Elite Smile Dental Hygiene provides preventive dental hygiene services including:
 

• Professional dental cleanings

• Deep cleanings (non-surgical periodontal therapy)

• Periodontal maintenance

• Oral hygiene education

• Fluoride treatments

• Dental screenings and assessments

• Laser bacterial reduction/decontamination

• Preventive care for patients with braces, implants, or periodontal disease
   

Services are provided within the legal scope of practice of a California RDHAP.
 

Do you offer mobile dental hygiene services?
 

Yes. Elite Smile Dental Hygiene provides convenient mobile dental hygiene services in select areas throughout the Bay Area. Care may be provided in private homes, assisted living facilities, senior communities, and other approved settings.
 

Who can benefit from mobile dental hygiene services?
 

Mobile dental hygiene services are ideal for:
 

• Seniors

• Patients with mobility limitations

• Individuals with special healthcare needs

• Residents in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities
   

Do you accept dental insurance?
 

Elite Smile Dental Hygiene operates as an out-of-network, fee-for-service provider. This allows treatment recommendations to be based on your individual oral health needs rather than insurance limitations or coverage restrictions.
 

If you have dental insurance, we can provide a dental superbill — a detailed, itemized receipt that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement based on your out-of-network benefits.
 

What is a dental superbill?
 

A dental superbill is a detailed invoice that includes treatment codes, provider information, and services rendered. Patients may submit this document directly to their dental insurance company for possible reimbursement depending on their out-of-network coverage.
 

Please note that reimbursement is determined by your insurance provider and is not guaranteed.
 

Do I still need to see a dentist?
 

Yes. While Elite Smile Dental Hygiene provides preventive dental hygiene care independently as a California RDHAP, patients are still encouraged to maintain a relationship with a licensed dentist for comprehensive dental examinations, diagnosis, and restorative treatment needs.
 

Under California law, RDHAPs may continue providing dental hygiene services for patients in home-based or alternative care settings for 18 months, then the patient needs a valid written prescription from a licensed dentist, physician, or surgeon authorizing continued dental hygiene care due to the patient’s health condition, mobility limitations, living situation, or special circumstances.
 

This allows many patients — especially seniors, medically compromised individuals, or those with difficulty accessing traditional dental offices — to continue receiving ongoing preventive hygiene care comfortably in their residence or care facility while still remaining under the appropriate medical or dental supervision required by California regulations.
 

If needed, we are happy to help coordinate communication with your healthcare providers regarding required documentation and continuity of care. We may also refer you to one of our referral dentists if you don't have a current one.
 

How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
 

Most patients benefit from preventive dental cleanings every 6 months. However, patients with periodontal disease, braces, implants, or certain medical conditions may require more frequent maintenance visits depending on their oral health needs.
 

What should I expect during my initial appointment?
 

During your appointment, we will review your medical and dental history, assess your oral health condition, discuss your concerns, and recommend appropriate preventive treatment. Our goal is to provide comfortable, personalized, and gentle care in a professional setting.

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Where do I sit? Are you bringing a dental chair?

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One of the greatest advantages of mobile dental hygiene care is flexibility and patient comfort. Most of the time, treatment is provided right where the patient feels safest and most comfortable.

 

Patients may remain in:

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• Their own bed

• A wheelchair

• A favorite recliner or comfortable chair

• A sofa or supported seating area

 

Our goal is to adapt to the patient’s needs rather than requiring the patient to adapt to a traditional dental office environment.

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A portable dental chair may be brought when appropriate, particularly if the patient is able to transfer safely and if positioning in the chair would improve comfort, visibility, or treatment access. However, many patients — especially seniors or individuals with mobility limitations — are most comfortable remaining in their preferred resting position, and treatment can often be completed successfully without requiring transfers.

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We carefully evaluate each situation to prioritize patient safety, comfort, dignity, and quality of care throughout the appointment.

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Is mobile dental hygiene care sanitary?

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Absolutely. Elite Smile Dental Hygiene follows strict infection control and sterilization protocols comparable to those used in traditional dental offices.

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All instruments are properly cleaned, sterilized, packaged, and handled according to professional infection control standards and applicable California regulations. We adhere to current CDC infection control recommendations and Dental Board of California guidelines to help ensure patient safety and prevent cross-contamination.

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Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), barriers, disinfectants, and sterilization monitoring procedures are utilized during every appointment. Portable equipment and treatment areas are thoroughly disinfected and prepared before and after each patient visit.

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Patient safety, cleanliness, and professionalism remain top priorities in every care setting, whether services are provided in a private residence, assisted living facility, or community environment.

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What areas do you serve?
 

We proudly serve select communities throughout the Bay Area including:
 

• Santa Clara County

• Palo Alto

• Mountain View

• Sunnyvale

• Santa Clara

• San Jose

• Newark

• Fremont

• Hayward

• Surrounding areas
   

Please contact us to confirm service availability in your location.
 

How do I schedule an appointment?
 

Appointments may be requested through our website, phone, email, or social media platforms. We will contact you to confirm appointment availability and discuss your dental hygiene needs.
 

What forms of payment do you accept?
 

We accept major forms of payment including cash, credit/debit cards, checks, Paypal or Zelle. Payment is due at the time services are rendered unless prior arrangements have been made.
 

Do you treat patients with periodontal disease?
 

Yes. We provide non-surgical periodontal therapy and periodontal maintenance for patients with gum disease. Treatment recommendations are customized based on each patient’s periodontal condition and oral health goals.
 

Why choose Elite Smile Dental Hygiene ?
 

Elite Smile Dental Hygiene Practice of Laurie Tolosa is committed to providing personalized, gentle, and elevated preventive dental hygiene care with a focus on convenience, patient education, and long-term oral health. Our mobile approach allows patients to receive quality care in a comfortable and accessible setting.

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