Dental Hygiene: Expanded Duties Program

The Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Department is approved by the Dental Hygiene Board of California to offer the RDH Expanded Duties Certification course, which includes the administration of Nitrous Oxide, Local Anesthesia and Soft Tissue Curettage. All three certifications must be completed concurrently. Participants must have an active dental hygiene license from a US state or Canadian province, graduated from an approved program or be currently enrolled as a senior student.

COURSE FORMAT: This course includes both online and in-person clinical exams.
The online portion is self paced and there are no scheduled class times.

The clinical sessions of the course are held on-site at 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 in the Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Clinic. 

All online curriculum must be completed prior to the first in-person clinical session, otherwise, the participant will not be allowed to complete the course. It is the participant's responsibility to contact the Cabrillo Extension office to arrange rescheduling participation in the next course offered. Completion of the course must be within one (1) year of the original enrollment date.

Visit this page for DETAILED INFORMATION about this course.

Visit the RDH Expanded Duties webpage for available course dates. 

Participants must provide the following:  

1. Current CPR/BLS certification (must include hands-on skills assessment).

2. DH license status or proof of last semester as DH student in good academic standing.

3. Current Liability Insurance with $1,000,000 minimum coverage. A student policy is sufficient. 

Proof of the above 3 items will be required to be uploaded the first day of online sessions.

Patient Requirements:

All participants are required to fulfill a total of 5 live patients. 2 are partner patients on fellow participants and 3 are “outside” patients.

 Participants may choose to:

1. Draw from our patient pool. It is the participant’s responsibility to compensate each patient utilized from the patient pool $100 cash per session. 3 sessions are required.

2. Provide their own 3 “outside” patients. 

Patients are required to be available the last two days of the on-site clinical component.

When the online portion of classes start, you will be asked if you want to draw from the patient pool.

Clinical instruments and supplies provided by Cabrillo College DH:

All clinical instruments, syringes, disposable clinic supplies and disposable PPE are provided during the on-site portion of the course for no additional fee. 

Note: Due to the use of nitrous oxide, it is not advised for individuals who are or may be pregnant to enroll.

The registration deadline for this course is April 24, 2024.

For more information, please contact:
Elicia Hammond, RDH
831-234-7965
elhammon@cabrillo.edu

Visit the RDH Expanded Duties webpage