As a dental hygiene student, I would like to express my opposition to any measures designed to expand the limits of a dental assistant's job; specifically, the creation of a DAII job classification that would permit a dental assistant to perform sub-gingival scaling. The health and welfare of dental patients should not be subject to the convenience of dentists in an attempt to cut expenditures. Indeed, to under-cut what is justifyably required by dental hygientists who are thoroughly trained in their profession is unwise. Not only is the integrity of the dental profession at risk, but the safety and satisfaction of the many thousands of dental patients seen each year.