Scaling by a Dental Assistant or DA II should not be allowed by the Board of Dentistry.  The only reasoning behind allowing someone to give less than quality care is to save money.  A Dental Assistant or DA II are paid less than a Hygienist, which in turn means less money going out for payroll.  As a CDA and also an RDH, I can honestly say that the Dental Assistant and Hygienist are two totally different roles in the dental office.  As a Dental Assistant I assisted the Dentist every day for nine years with cleanings, yet I had no knowledge about how to properly use a scaler without compromising the health of a patient.  It was not until I received training in Dental Hygiene school that I realized that properly caring for a patient is so much more than just picking up a scaler and hoping for the best.  I also strongly feel that scaling cement from around a crown and scaling teeth are no comparison.  On behalf of the VDHA and the thousands of patients I see each year, I would like you to consider the health of your own family.  Would you be comfortable letting a family member receive treatment from someone without the proper training?  Are you willing to risk someone missing a key issue on the medical history that could lead to death?  I feel that quality patient care should outweigh convenience or saving money.  I oppose ANY and ALL scaling duties for the Dental Assistant and DA II.