Allowing dental assistants to scale is mind-boggling and reckless.  Not only does the oral health standards are substantially lowered, but periodontal diseases becomes more evident and affects the patients overall general health.   I can understand why some dentists would want this to be allowed: money.  Looking at the other dentists pointless rationales pertaining to in allowing dental assistants to scale, I am quite concerned.  One dentist stated that dental hygienists are in a shortage.  Last time I looked, I did not see any job ads for hygienists in the Northern Virginia areas.  In addition, the VCU hygiene program in Richmond is doubling their hygiene class from 25 to 50.  The Northern Virginia Community College has already doubled their enrollment for the hygiene program.  There are lists of hygienists in many areas, including Northern Virginia area, waiting and looking to be hired in dental offices.  Dental hygienists went through much training, education, clinical exams, and practice to ensure that each patient's oral conditions are met with excellent standards.  Please do not allow dental assistants be allowed to scale.