This whole issue could be argued from both sides of the coin until we are blue in the face. Dentists vs the world vs the VDHA!  However, if I was a perio patient, or had some buildup "issues", this seems like a convenient way for a non-LICENSED assistant that is not properly trained to do an OPTIMAL job, to do that job, have the dentist be paid full value for the procedure, and "possibly" place these patients health at risk. At the very least it reeks of impropriety. Do NOT let this happen. Just for the record, my family and I LOVE our dentist.  He would never try and pull any of this, because he CARES about his patients well-being, not making an extra buck. I worked for CollaGenex's dental division for over 3 years, and have met a majority of the dentists here in VA at one time or another. There are plenty of offices I would never set foot in again, but I'd really like to hear the dentists that support this measure explain this to a whole bunch of their patients in an open-house or social setting.....It would be like watching the Wizard of Oz yelling "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!"