I have a 5 year old son who was born with cerebral palsy..... like any other child, he is TERRIFIED of the dental office.... from experience and I will not name where but I have noticed that assistants do not actually do much when it comes to cleaning/prophy.  I have had my childs teeth cleaned/polished by aan assistant ONCE and there was still a great deal amount of plaque and gunk left in my childs mouth. The one hygienist at my sons office is AMAZING, the hygienist is very well trained and professional in all aspects. I'm sorry to say this but it seems as though they are incompetent. Hygienists are not only trained in their profession but they are also trained in patient care.

If assistants want to scale.... they need to go to hygiene school and become a hygienist.