To Whom It May Concern,

       I have a concern about what I have read in this forum about the Dental Assistant II requests. I am a patient, which may not carry much weight, but I have a concern with this subject matter. I visit my dentist on a regular basis and I trust my doctor to make the best decisions on my behalf. I sit in the chair and feel at ease knowing that i will be taken care of by a professional. I would NOT trust a so-called teenager or young adult to be my care provider. I would much rather someone who has dedicated a large portion of their lives in "Professional Training". Professional Hygentist have commited their lives to patient care. An assistant to the doctor is just that, an assistant. Hygentists are as professional and caring as the Dentist themselves, most of the time the individual attention provided is greater. This is a trust issue. If I saw a young adult come close to my mouth, I would have a serious problem. If services are granted to these individuals, then the same respect should be given to the Dental Hygentist. These professionals should be able to take away some of the doctors requirements that they have trained so long for. How about letting the Hygentist prepair teeth for crowns and fillings? What would truly be the difference?

Shawn Hill - just a patient