California registered dental hygienists in alternative practice who practice dental hygiene are permitted to form professional corporations here in California. The statutory authority is set forth in the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act (the “Moscone-Knox Act”). See Cal. Corp. Code, §13400 et seq. Like all types of corporate entities, an RDHAP Corporation is formed by filing articles of incorporation with the California Secretary of State.

It is often better to form an RDHAP Corporation than to operate a practice as a sole proprietorship. The corporate form protects personal assets from being seized by business creditors and creating a California Professional RDHAP Corporation greatly facilitates adding licensed partners to a practice. The corporate form shields each of the partners from liability that may be alleged against the other(s). If you have questions about the requirements of forming a Professional RDHAP Corporation, or whether an RDHAP Corporation is the best entity type for your situation, reach out to the trusted corporate attorneys experienced in working with registered dental hygienists in alternative practice.

Pursuant to California law, a Professional RDHAP Corporation has certain naming requirements that must be met when the corporation is formed.

Consult with the experienced San Diego corporate attorneys to ensure that the name you want for your Professional RDHAP Corporation is compliant.

When forming a Professional RDHAP Corporation, retain an experienced San Diego corporate attorney to provide advice and assistance. There are special rules under the Moscone-Knox Act with respect to who may be shareholders — owners — in a Professional RDHAP Corporation. Likewise, there are limitations on who may be on the board of directors and who may serve as senior management. A Professional RDHAP Corporation is unique in this way.

The permitted shareholders, who may also serve as officers and directors, but who may not be greater in number than the registered dental hygienists in alternative practice and must collectively hold 49% or less of the shares are as follows:

Registered dental hygienist in alternative practice corporation:

Registered dental assistants;
Licensed dentists;
Registered dental hygienists; and
Registered dental hygienists in extended functions.

The corporation may have employees — such as a receptionist or a book-keeper — who are not licensed as long as those employees are not providing any sort of professional dental hygiene services.

Contact San Diego Corporate Law Today

For more information, contact attorney Michael J. Leonard, Esq., or Christina Gandy-Delgadillo, Esq., of San Diego Corporate Law. Michael and Christina can be reached at (858) 483-9200 or via email. These experienced corporate attorneys can ensure your Professional RDHAP Corporation is set up correctly and can assist with the annual maintenance of your California Professional RDHAP Corporation. San Diego Corporate Law provides a host of legal services for businesses including formation of other types of corporate entities.