Thank you board members for taking the time to read our suggestions and opinions.

I FIRMLY OPPOSE the induction of the dental assistant II into the dental profession.  I think it is very honorable for you to attempt to search for a solution to the deficiency problem.  There is not a shortage of dental hygienists, only a shortage of dentists. Many students going to MCV/VCU dental school (the only dental school in virginia) are being accepted from out of state so that the school can obtain more money through tuition. Unfortunately, in my opinion, i believe this is contributing to a huge shortage of dentists in rural areas of virginia. Most of these students are going back to their home states or...in efforts to pay off their school loans they are moving to metropolitan areas where they can charge top dollar for their services.  Moving to the rural areas would result in less revenue being made.  Consequently...dentists are also looking for ways to cut down on costs (so money can stay in their pocket) and i believe this would be a huge mistake made for the citizens of virginia. if there is minimal calculus that is "supra" gingival why can't a dentist simply pop into a room for a few minutes and have the hygienist or assistant complete the polishing portion? Being taught about how calculus is formed, when you have any type of calculus, you will be going subgingivally regardless to remove the calculus. If done incorrectly, this can cause damage to delicate gingival tissues or could  not remove ALL of the calculus. This results in subgingival calculus to continuing to grow, causing gum disease to proliferate. Hygienists also need to educate the people of virginia on gum disease so that they know how to prevent it. I believe knowledge is power and if patients knew what was going on now with the attempted passing of DAII's there would be an uproar.  As a hygienist i went through hours of supervision and competencies to get where i am today, not to mention a state and national board. A DENTAL ASST 2 WILL MAKE DENTISTRY BACKTRACK INTO OLD FASHIONED THINKING...DO NOT BACKTRACK. Instead I suggest we push forth the idea of Extended Duties Hygienists since we are trying to alleviate the deficiency of dentists in Virginia. We need more dental school period.  PLEASE SAY NO TO DENTAL ASSISTANT 2!!