I am voicing my opposition to proposed expansion of Assistant duties.

Expanding  duties of registered Assistants will be harmful to the treatment of patients, since more and more dentists will have Assistants provide cleanings / scalings and other duties.  This will confuse patients, upset their expectations and reduce the care and education.

If Dental Assistanst are able to provide the care I am now responsible for, I should be able to then patients should also be okay with a Registered Dental Hygienist providing them with minor restorative work. I think you can appreciate the difference in education/knowledge.

The standard or care will decrease in Virginia as the level of training and education required to provide services provided by hygienists and dentists is reduced. 

I strongly feel that expanding Dental Assistant II duties will compromise patient care and jeopardizes the standard that I and others hold for our profession.

Thank you.