REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 21, 2025
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Contract with Center for Oral Health for Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Contract with Center for Oral Health, to provide Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice Services, in an amount not to exceed $262,185, for the contract period of October 21, 2025 through October 20, 2026.
(Presenter: Joshua Dugas, Director, 387-9146)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The not to exceed cost of $262,185 for Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) services is funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and existing ongoing 1991 Realignment funds. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) 2025-26 budget and will be included in the 2026-27 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
HRSA has designated areas throughout California as health professional shortage areas. To meet the dental care needs of the state, California Business and Professions Code Section 1900 et seq. permits RDHAPs to provide preventative oral health services, without the direct supervision of a dentist, in locations other than a dental office, such as schools, hospitals, and residential facilities. Preventative oral health services include basic dental screenings and recommendations, oral hygiene instruction and health education, oral prophylaxis (i.e., teeth cleaning), topical application of fluorides, and application of sealants.
DPH is expanding access to health care services for underserved areas and populations by providing preventative oral health services through two school-based service sites (SBSS) and a mobile dental unit. The two SBSSs are located at Apple Valley Head Start and Ontario Maple Head Start, respectively. The mobile dental unit will rotate at various locations throughout the county and at community events, with plans to expand services to more remote areas of the county.
The non-profit organization Center for Oral Health (COH) has improved oral health in vulnerable populations by providing dental services, education, research, and advocacy. COH serves children and rural communities throughout California, with existing programs in Alpine, Sacramento, Trinity, and Yolo Counties, as well as in the unincorporated community of Big Bear. DPH recommends approval of a non-competitive service contract with COH to expand the availability of preventative oral health services for underserved areas and populations.
PROCUREMENT
The Purchasing Department supports the non-competitive procurement of RDHAP services in school-based sites and mobile dental settings based on specialized credentials. RDHAPs are licensed by the Dental Hygiene Board of California to provide limited preventive oral health services in settings outside of a traditional dental office. This approach will expand access to care for underserved communities and remote areas of the county.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniel Pasek, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 23, 2025; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on October 3, 2025; Risk Management (Stephanie Pacheco, Staff Analyst II, 386, 9039) on October 6, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4205) on October 3, 2025.