Not sure what the petitioner would like to see but the two pathways required at this time have been established to help protect the public.  A dental assistant who is interested in registering for Level II must either complete an educational program/course modules or be grandfathered in with proof of same curriculum hours and clinical experience received in another state .

I believe the current regulations as set by the board and passed into law protect the health of the public. Procedures performed on patients should be done by practitioners who have actually practiced said procedures in controlled settings - lab through simulation and clinic under observation of a licensed dentis, this is important to public health.  As I stated on the initial petition for rulemaking, a dentist would not be allowed to perform procedures without having first performed simulation procedures and then under observation in clinic during 3rd and 4th years of dental school...and the same with hygienists and their abilities to perform scaling and root planing or dental prophylaxis.  These licensed professionals require education and training prior to performing procedures....dental assistant II must comply with the same practices.  Grandfathering assistants into the DAII registration is acceptable with documentation that meets current standards. 

The problem with the current pathway to become a DAU level 2 is that the vast majority of dental assistants are trained on the job. The educational requirements to becoming a DAU level 2 is not feasible for many assistants who have been practicing for decades, but cannot afford to quit their jobs for a significant period of time to go through the necessary schooling.

My understanding of the purpose of the creation of DAU 2s was to free up the dentist such that he could see more patients, and therefore, increase access to care by allowing more patient visits per dentist. As of right now, I hear that there are virtually no DAU 2s in the state. 

If we want to see DAU 2s in practice, we have to make it feasible. Why can't someone establish an online curriculum with evening / weekend practicals to help those dental assistants currently in practice utilize this new regulation? How hard is it to teach someone how to place string under the gums or pack some metal into a hole?