(a) It is the intent of this board to approve only those educational programs for dental hygienists which continuously maintain a high quality standard of instruction. The requirements contained in this article are designed to that end and govern the approval of educational programs for dental hygienists. Continuation of approval will be contingent upon compliance with these requirements.

(b) An educational program for registered dental hygienists is one which has as its primary purpose providing college level programs leading to an associate or higher degree, which is either affiliated with or conducted by an approved dental school, or which is accredited to offer college level or college parallel programs by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation or an equivalent body.

(c) A new educational program for registered dental hygienists in California shall apply for approval prior to operation. The board may approve, provisionally approve, or deny approval to any such program. The board may, in lieu of conducting its own investigation, accept the findings of any commission or accreditation agency approved by the board and adopt those findings as its own.