I do not approve that DA duties should include subgingival scaling .

As a registered dental hygienist my responsibilities include assessing the patient, diagnosing periodontal disease, promoting good oral hygiene, implemeting the appropiate treatment plan for my patient and evaluating their oral health after treatment.  As a dental hygienist  I am highly skilled and trained to detect calculus and periodontal disease and I have spend 2 years in a clinical setting perfecting that skill.  My patients deserve a safe environment and as a dental hygienist I promote patient safety and oral health. 

I feel that DA's focus is not on patient prophylaxis but rather assisting the dentist with their duties and responsibilities.  Many times in my place of employment, after the dentist has completed a crown the DA or dentist will ask me to remove the excess cement around the crown.  The DA  has admitted to me that she is not skilled or feels comfortable using the hygiene instruments to remove the extra cement.  Please reconsider allowing DA's to include scaling of any kind.  Thank you, Sarah Torres, RDH