01/21/2026
It’s not "just a cleaning”.
It’s a medical assessment.
If you think an appointment with a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is just about "scraping teeth", you’re only seeing 4% of the picture.
❌The Proposed Shortcut: Programs like the OPA model require only 120 hours of instruction.
âś…The Professional Standard: A CODA-accredited RDH completes around 3,000 hours of combined didactic and clinical work.
Why should you care? That extra 2,880 hours isn’t for "polishing." It’s for Microbiology, Pharmacology, Pathology, and an array of biomedical sciences.
If it’s "just a cleaning," why is your RDH trained to:
✨ Perform life-saving Oral Cancer and HPV screenings?
✨ Conduct Breathing and Airway assessments for sleep apnea?
✨ Identify Systemic Inflammation linked to Diabetes, Stroke, and Alzheimer’s?
✨ Assess for Social Determinants of Health that impact your total wellness?
Don’t settle for a 4% standard. Demand a provider who has the education to protect your life, not just your smile.
Ask your provider today: "Are you CODA-accredited?"
