When reading through previous post’s I think it is so funny! It appears that all the post's by "DDS" are all for the DAII.  And then when reading post's from RDH's opposing DAII you can tell that it is all about money and expenses.  Here it is plain and simple... A DENTAL PRACTICE IS A BUSINESS!  Every dentist went to college (just like all of us) to make money and further their career.  Most all dentists’ own their own practice, and like all business' look to expand, grow and again increase income.  A while back I know of 3 dental practices that were contacted by a very popular dental sales rep that was pitching the idea of having trained off the street Dental Assistants to perform cleanings on medicad patients.  So what does this show us?  Everybody is out to make money!   It's all about cutting expenses!  Yes you can pay a DAII half of my salary, but the DAII will have the knowledge of a wet mop when it comes to Periodontal Maintenance.  I am positive that insurance companies will not pay or pay very little for cleanings performed by a DAII.  Insurance companies are already tough enough to deal with when it comes to rendering payment.  Insurance companies are again… a business!  And they are out to make money.  We wouldn’t pay such high premiums if they weren’t.  Honestly, when it comes to submitting dental claims for cleanings I believe the Licensed Hygienist’s (Who performed the cleaning) number should be posted on the dental claim before payment can be rendered to the dentist or patient.  Then we would see how many offices are already practicing DAII’s illegally!  I think it would be shocking!!!