A dental assistant is just what the name implies, he or she assists the dentist. Their scope of knowledge does not emcompass the total care hygienist offer in their treatments, for every and all periodontal classification of patients. Let us not forget that unless you probe each patient,  who is to say any patients is maintaning themselves in the healthy category.  Perhaps someone should give some thought to the possibility of malpractice concerns in the furture. Think of it!  Patients will be treated by a dental assistant who does not have the years of intense training all hygienist master prior to licensure; will not be able to detect localized periodontal disease because they are unable to probe; will be only "cleaning" and never able to diagnose disease and provide the proper therapy; and last, but not least, the patients will be expected to pay  for their preventative appointment at the current fees, not discounted to reflect the discount they recieved in order for the dentist to pocket more money!!   If the public realizes the danger and malpractice potential, they too will be outraged.