I am a registered dental hygienist and it took me a total of 7 years to receive my bachelor's degree.  School was very challenging but very rewarding as well.  If dental assistants want to scale and learn the theory behind scaling, the disease process and everything there is to know about being a hygienist then go to school and become a dental hygienist! While what hygienists do may look  repetitive and easy, it is not!  We are Periodontal Therapist and our specialty is helping patients maintain the health of their mouth for the rest of their natural lives.  We also treat and help patients control  periodontal disesase.  I Strongly Oppose DAT II being allowed to scale teeth on any level other than when removing cement from the margins of a crown or on a bridge etc. and even then they should be suppervised by the dentist!

Thanks, Sharetta A. Morrow, RDH, MS.