3 Steps to Starting Your Dental Hygienist Professional Corporation

Why Every Registered Dental Hygienist in California Should Form a Professional Corporation

If you’re a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) or Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) in California, you must form a Professional Corporation (PC) to operate your dental hygiene business legally.

Under the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act (California Corporations Code §§13400–13410), licensed dental hygienists cannot form LLCs or general corporations for their professional practice.

Filing incorrectly can cause your corporation to be rejected by the Secretary of State, result in penalties from the Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC), or even lead to disciplinary action.

At All-in-Juan Business Consultancy Services, we’ve helped thousands of licensed professionals—including dental hygienists—successfully form their Professional Corporations the right way.

📩 Email: [email protected]

What Is a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Professional Corporation?

A Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Professional Corporation is a legally recognized business entity formed under California law for the purpose of providing dental hygiene services.

It must be:

• Registered with the California Secretary of State

• Certified by the Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC)

This structure provides legal protection, tax benefits, and ensures you remain compliant with all state and professional regulations.

Why Choose an S-Corporation Tax Election

By default, Professional Corporations are taxed as C-Corporations, which can cause double taxation.

Electing S-Corporation status (IRS Form 2553) offers major benefits:
✅ Pass-through taxation (no double tax)
✅ Lower self-employment tax burden
✅ Simplified profit distribution
✅ Easier bookkeeping and compliance

3 Steps to Forming a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice Corporation in California

Step 1: File Your Articles of Incorporation

Submit your Articles of Incorporation for a Professional Corporation to the California Secretary of State, identifying your business as a Professional Dental Hygiene Corporation under the Moscone-Knox Act.

Step 2: Complete Licensing & Tax Requirements

After incorporation, you must:

• Apply for your EIN from the IRS

• Appoint Directors

• Draft your corporate bylaws

• File your Statement of Information with the Secretary of State

• File Form 2553 to elect S-Corporation tax status

• Pay annual taxes to the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB)

• Register with the Employment Development Department (EDD) if you pay salaries

• Apply for local business licenses or permits

Step 3: Let All-in-Juan Handle It for You

At All-in-Juan Business Consultancy Services, we handle every step for you — ensuring your corporation meets every legal and professional requirement under the Moscone-Knox Act.

📩 Email: [email protected]

Benefits of Forming a Dental Hygienist Professional Corporation

Starting your Professional Corporation gives you key advantages:
✅ Personal Asset Protection – Your personal finances are protected from business-related liabilities.
✅ Tax Savings – S-Corp status helps reduce self-employment taxes.
✅ Professional Compliance – Fully meets DHBC and Secretary of State standards.
✅ Business Growth – Build business credit and attract opportunities as a legal corporate entity.

Naming Requirements for a Dental Hygienist Professional Corporation

Your corporation’s name must:

• Include terms such as “Dental Hygiene Group,” “Dental Hygiene Practice,” or “Dental Hygiene Office.”

• Contain the surname of one or more of the current, past, or prospective shareholders or associates.

• End with a corporate suffix like:

  • “A Professional Corporation”

  • “Professional Corporation”

  • “Prof. Corp.”

  • “P.C.”

  • “Inc.”

  • “Corporation”

  • “A California Professional Corporation”

❌ “LLC” is not allowed as a corporate designation for dental hygiene practices in California.

Who Can Be a Shareholder in a Dental Hygienist Professional Corporation?

According to California law:

• At least 51% of the shares must be owned by Registered Dental Hygienists.

• The remaining 49% may be owned by the following licensed professionals:

  • Registered Dental Assistants

  • Licensed Dentists

  • Registered Dental Hygienists

  • Registered Dental Hygienists in Extended Functions

The number of non-hygienist shareholders cannot exceed the number of licensed dental hygienist shareholders.

If a shareholder becomes ineligible or disqualified from practicing dental hygiene, their shares must be sold or transferred within 90 days to another qualified shareholder or the corporation itself.

Can a Registered Dental Hygienist Form an LLC in California?

No.
Under the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act, Registered Dental Hygienists and RDHAPs cannot form or operate as an LLC.

Only a Professional Corporation can legally provide dental hygiene services in California.

Using a DBA or Fictitious Business Name

You may use a fictitious business name (DBA) if you:

• File a Fictitious Business Name Statement within 40 days of starting your corporation

• File in each county where you operate

• Ensure the name is not false, misleading, or deceptive

📄 The Dental Hygiene Committee of California (DHCC) provides a DBA application form here:
👉 https://www.dhcc.ca.gov/formspubs/app_rdh_fictitious.pdf

Example:
✅ BrightSmile Dental Hygiene Group, A Professional Corporation
✅ Dr. Ana Lopez Dental Hygiene Office, Inc.

Start Your Dental Hygiene Corporation the Right Way

At All-in-Juan Business Consultancy Services, we make forming your Professional Dental Hygiene Corporation fast, compliant, and stress-free.

We’ve helped thousands of professionals — from hygienists to physicians — successfully incorporate under California’s Moscone-Knox Act.

📞 Contact Number: +1 424 407-3686
📩 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.all-in-juanbusinessconsultancyservices.com

All-in-Juan Business Consultancy Services — Helping California’s Licensed Professionals Build Legally Compliant and Tax-Smart Professional Corporations.