Why does the State of Virginia want to go backwards by allowing Dental Assistants to do subgingival scaling?  Are the Dentists doing so poorly that they have to try to save money for themselves in this manner?  Many will say they don't want to compromise the care of their patients, but how can this NOT be compromising their care?  They want to allow Dental Assistants who do not have the same training in Anatomy, Oral Anatomy and Oral Pathology,  just to name a few , to provide the same sevices now performed by licensed hygienists? Hygienists receive two years of  clinical training and must pass a clinical exam to prove their competency.  Virginia is going downhill if this is allowed to happen.