Independent RDH
Independent RDH Practice
Colorado has a long-standing tradition of supporting independent dental hygiene practice ownership. Since 1986, licensed dental hygienists in Colorado have been permitted to own and operate their own dental hygiene practices; expanding access to preventive oral health care statewide.
CODHA supports hygienists exploring independent practice pathways with resources, community, and expert guidance.
Why Start an Independent RDH Practice?
Starting your own practice can bring many benefits:
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Professional Autonomy: Control your schedule and services.
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Increased Earning Potential: Set your rates and work on your terms.
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Flexibility: Enjoy better work-life balance.
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Impact: Provide care to underserved populations or in non-traditional settings.
Foundational Considerations for Independent Practice
Independent practice involves both clinical and business planning. Key areas to understand include:
1. Colorado Practice Authority
Colorado law permits independent dental hygienists to own and operate a dental hygiene practice within defined scope of practice. Hygienists may provide preventive and diagnostic services independently without dentist supervision under current statute.
2. Licensing & Compliance
Maintain an active Colorado RDH license, meet all board requirements, and comply with infection control, OSHA, and radiography regulations. See our License Information
page for details.
3. Business Planning
Starting a practice involves decisions about your practice model (mobile vs. fixed), financial planning, equipment, payer participation, and operational systems.
What Starting an Independent Practice Typically Involves
Though each journey is unique, independent practice development generally includes:
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Clarifying Your Practice Vision & Services
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Deciding on a Business Structure (e.g., LLC, PLLC)
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Planning Startup Costs & Resources
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Evaluating Revenue Models (Cash, Medicaid, Insurance, etc.)
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Establishing Operational Systems
CODHA is developing a detailed Colorado Independent Dental Hygiene Practice Manual that will cover each of these areas in depth.
Resources & Support from CODHA
CODHA offers ongoing support for those exploring independent practice:
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🤝 Networking and Peer Support with other RDH owners
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🛠️ Business tools and templates
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🎓 Educational resources and events
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📋 Vendor Access Guide to help practices navigate equipment and supply options
Find tools and templates — including our Vendor Access Guide — linked below.
Questions? We're Here to Help! 📧
Reach out to us at [email protected] for more information, and stay tuned for updates as we build additional resources for independent RDH practice.
Vendor Access for RDH Practice Owners
Some companies fully support RDH-owned practices, while others have restricted access policies. CODHA maintains an updated list to help RDH owners navigate equipment, supply, and software options.
