Dear Virginia Board of Dentistry,

I ask that you NOT including scaling as a new duty of any dental assistant.  As a future graduate of the Old Dominion Dental Hygiene Facility I am all too aware of the training needed to become proficient enough to hand scale.  Not only have we learned in-depth scaling techniques but have learned the theory behind all of our practices.  This comprehensive coverage is to insure one thing; patient safety.  If you want to allow dental assistants to hand scale, then they should be encouraged to enroll in a Dental Hygiene program near them.  DO NOT ALLOW EXPANDED DUTIES OF DENTAL ASSISTANTS!!!  Do not lower patients' standard of care.  Please leave this chosen profession to the professionals. 

Thank You

Lena Lecklier

Student DH and SADHA Member