To Whom It May Concern,

I have practiced as a dental hygienist for over twenty-one years and every day I make sure to provide my patients with the best oral hygiene care that I can and protect them from harm.  It is my duty to educate them on their oral health, periodontal disease and how their overall health will effect the health of their mouth and how the condition of their mouth can effect their overall health.  Providing dental hygiene care to a patient is not just "scaling what you see".  Therefor, I feel very strongly that allowing any dental assistant at any level to perform scaling would undermine the health and well being of the patient.  A background in anatomy, periodontal disease, pathology and pharmacology are a must in truly treating a patient. 

In addition, I feel that passing this regulatory action undermines the practice of dental hygiene.  It could result in the decline of our profession.  If a dentist can have an assistant scale,  why would he pay for the skill and knowledge of a lisenced dental hygienist?  If an assistant can scale 3mm, what would stop a dentist from encouraging another millimeter or two?  Who would monitor and regulate the dental assistant?  Where would the line of seperation be between a dental assistant and a hygienist?  Would a dentist want a hygienist to prep a tooth for a filling?

Please DO NOT pass this action.

Thank you,

Christine M. Eldridge, RDH,BSDH