I would just like to write a comment to state that I oppose any and all type of scaling done by a dental assistant.  This is a concern for all dental hygienists because our focus is on patient safety and oral health.  Proper scaling should only be done by a registered dental hygienist who understands the concepts of periodontal disease  and gingivitis etiology and progression. Scaling is a task that should only be done by hygienists or dentists and should not be assumed to be done correctly by an assistant.  Patient safety is very important and i cannot see how training someone in scaling is not degrading to our profession.

Concerned future RDH, Shannon Davis

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va