As a working dental assistant now I oppose this issue, as a hygiene student I strongly oppose, and as a dental patient I strongly oppose! Why should I spend all the time money and effort on an education to become a dental hygienist if someone else with less schooling can do my job? At the office i work at the denist, the hygienist, as well as the assistants have plenty of work to do. Everyone plays an important role in the oral health of our patients, I do not see any reason to take away from the more eductated hygienist to give to the assistant.This may save money but personally I want a hygienist scaling my teeth opposed to a denist and especially an assistant. In my experience I have yet to meet a denist that scales teeth. I dont even trust that many denists will actually spend the time to check behind the assistant. There is a reason denists, hygienists, and assistants have there own roles as proffesionals.I dont believe this decision is the best at heart for our patients.