This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of.   Dental Hygienists are schooled and trained to provide the best possible care to patients.  It's hard enough gaining the respect of other dental personnel because they think we merely "scrape teeth" and that "anybody can do it".  Well, anybody who knows how HARD hygiene school is, and the amount of education it takes to become a Registered Dental Hygienist also knows that allowing an assistant expanded duties would not only be unethical but it would continue to devalue us as care providers and professionals.  I worked hard to get where I am, and if an assistant wants to do my job, let them go to school like I had to and learn to treat the WHOLE patient, not just "scrape their teeth."