I support expanded duties for Dental Assistants including scaling for class I perio patients.  This will help solve access to care problems in areas of Virginia where we have a shortage of hygienists.   It will also expand the capabilities of all other dental offices to provide care to more patients.  This will have a positive impact on the future shortage crisis in dentistry.  I also recommend that each dentist be allowed 3 DA II's so each hygienist and the dentist can  be assisted by a DA II.  Other duties should include placing and curing composites, not finishing or polishing, and placing and carving amalgams.  DA ii's should not be allowed to use a handpiece intraorally.  Placing retraction cord, removal of cement, making and placing temporary crowns are proper procedures for a DA II to perform.