As a registered dental hygienist who was an assistant prior to obtaining my BS in dental hygiene in 2000, I feel that I expanding the functions of assistants to include scaling in any form is unethical and nullifies the importance of the dental hygiene profession.

In order to provide quality care for ALL patients, a thorough periodontal assessment and treatment plan needs to be performed.by the dental hygienist and dentist.  This involves understanding the periodontal disease process and how it can be managed, as well as preventive oral care. The assumption that certain patients only require supragingival scaling, and that the assistant is qualified to make that decision under the direction of the dentist would be a great disservice to our patients, and to all dental professions.

I think a fair number of hygienists can attest to the frustration we feel when a patient who has only had supragingival scaling lands in our chair.  It is disheartening to have to inform patients who have previously been told that they are healthy that they have advanced periodontal disease that could've been prevented had they had proper management of the disease.

I spend time educating patients on the periodontal disease process, and the importance of quality professional care as well as good homecare.   I develop customized care plans that  are based on the patient's individual needs.   I worked hard to earn my degree, and I continue to work to improve my skills and stay current regarding advances in preventive and periodontal care for ALL patients.

The doctors I have worked with recognize that these services are an important asset to the dental practice, and have compensated me well for those services.  These doctors realize that taking the time to provide quality dental hygiene treatment is an integral part of building patient rapport and developing trust in the practice.  It leads to increased production for the dentist, and referrals from the patient.

If doctors are thinking that they can save money by "educating" their assistants to provide dental hygiene services they need to ask themselves what the "cost vs. benefit" is in doing this.  Patients want, deserve, and are willing to pay for quality care.  Would you want substandard care for yourself or your family?  I don't think so.  We all took an oath to "first do no harm."  I think we all need to remember that promise.

Sincerely,

Bettina M. Grodt, RDH. BS