As a board certified periodontist with 33 years of experience, encompassing private practice, clinical and didactic education at local dental hygiene programs and dental school settings, I vehemently oppose the endeavor to expand the duties of dental assistants to include scaling.  Such an expanded function would be subject to mismanagement of patient care and abuse of patient welfare. The differentiation between where scaling ends and  "root planing" begins loses its distinction, especially considering that up to 75% of the adult population is subject to some form of periodontal disease.

The following editorial appearing in the International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry from Dec., of 2007 expresses the viewpoint of the specialty community on this important and significant matter:

" As a board-certified periodontist with 30 years of experience....I (along with many of my colleagues) have been concerned for several years that periodontal disease in the general population is not being treated as effectively as it should be.....an effective periodontal program in the general practice requires a dental hygienist who has excellent disease recognition abilities,effective communication skills, and the knowledge base and technical expertise necessary to provide condition- appropriate treatment and/or referral for periodontal specialty care."  William G. Reeves, DDS, Clinical Associate Professor of Periodontics, University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.

The emphasis of the Board should be on improving the diagnostic acumen and technical skills of  our existing qualified practitioners rather than debase such an important and critical function to ancillary personnel with inappropriate education.  Has the profession forgotten the denturist movement in the western states and dental nurse practitioners of New Zealand?

Nicholas Ilchyshyn, DDS

Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology