I have read many of the comments posted on this forum and cannot express how frustrating it is to see that there are many dentists who devalue the education of a dental hygienist.  I spent a number of years getting prerequisite college credits, in addition to the rigorous two year dental hygiene program, only to read that my education is unimportant. I definitely believe a dental assistant could do the same job as I, if she/he completed the thorough education that I received. For me to see that in print, makes me wonder if the same dentist would be content if she/he saw a proposal for hygienists to perform restorative work, as long as it 'fell under' a certain type.  Yes, we need to give the best standard of care possible to each and every patient, that would include the person performing calculus removal to have been thoroughly trained and licensed. Please do not pass this.