As a conscientious patient who visits the dentist regularly I would like to know the person in charge of my dental cleaning  is an  educated and well trained dental hygienist.  I would not feel comfortable having anyone other than a hygienist clean my teeth. I strongly object to assistants being allowed to scale my teeth or any one else's. Please don't risk patient care. . If assistants want to perform these functions then they should have to go to school like the hygienists do..