The most important determinant here is what best serves the profession and our patients.  I am in favor of expanding the allowable duties of the dental hygienist under the supervision of the dentist, as well as expanding the duties of the experienced and trained dental assistant.  There are many, many recall patients who present with a small amount of calculus on the lingual of the mandibular anterior teeth and the buccal of the maxillary molars.  Currently, if a certified, well trained dental assistant picks up a scaler or ultrasonic to remove a little calculus from the lingual surface of the mandibular anterior incisors of a 10 year old, it is a violation. 

I am in favor of allowing the trained Dental Assistant II to be able to perform this routine task during a recall and prophy appointment.  I am NOT in favor of allowing dental assistants to perform pocket probings or perform scaling and root planing procedures which should be preserved as duties for the hygienist..