First of all, Im appauled that someone would even come up with this crazy idea of dental assistants scaling on ANY paitients. I went through extensive training for 2 years, had to take a National Board and a State Board to do what Im doing today. Patient care is one of the most important things in the dental hygiene profession. It not just about "getting the calculus off!  It's about helping the patient understand the whole process of periodontal disease and how important home care and oral hygiene really is. Dental assistants are trained to do exactly what they do and that is ASSIST!! Letting them scale patients teeth is not only putting  the patient at risk but the whole office at risk if they do something wrong. Sounds to me like the dentists are more worried about saving money and not having to pay a hygienist, rather then patient well being and thats SAD!!

One more thing, If there is such a shortage in dental hygienist why did it take me 3 months to find a job? Why are some of my friends still hunting for dental hygiene positions? Why arent their any job openings if there is such a shortage?

I hope you guys will seriouly take this matter into consideration and NOT approve of dental assistants scaling teeth. Please keep the patients well being in mind!!!