I have opposed this proposal in the past, oppose it now and will oppose it again when DDS feel the need to propose that the STANDARD of CARE of the citizens of the Commonwealth of VA be compromised.   I have read where DDS have noted that.........."dental assistants remove cement which is much more tenacious than calculus................"   I was a CDA for 8 years prior to returning the school to become a RDH.  I too have on many occassions removed cement.  Having performed BOTH functions - I can attest that cement is NOT more tenacious than calculus which has been allowed to remain on a patients teeth for unspecified amount of time.   Removal of cement was VERY easy compared to the removal of sub/supra gingival calculus.  Being able to remove that cement did NOTHING to prepare me to effectively treat ANY perio classification of dental patient.  I have also read where some DDS have noted "our patients deserve the very best"!!  would this not be a college educated/trained, LICENSED dental hygieniest???