Dear Board Members:

As a former Board Member, I know first hand the efforts you are making in the roles each of you are serving and I commend you for your time and dedication to Dentistry and the citizens of the Commonwealth.

I am asking that you NOT include Scaling as one of the many new Dental Procedures to be included in the list of new postitions for Dental Assistants II.  These duties are part of the role of the Dental Hygienist and allowing unqualified assistants to perform thses duties will compromise the qualtity of care rendered to patients.  Hygienist have studied and trained in two or four year accredited programs and had to pass a National Board as well as Clinical Board to become licensed to practice.  This alone ensures quality health care to all.  Therefore,  allowing UNDER EDUCATED dental technicians to scale(supra or subgingivally) poses a health risk to the unknowing patient.

Stephany P. Covington, RDH