The job of a Dental Hygienist is one of integrity.  It's a job where the patient and the doctor put their trust in your hands to take care of the dental patient as though they were you or their family.   That being said, I cannot conceive of the fact that a new job title is being "Created" in order to lower payment salaries for dentists to substandard employees at the cost of the patient.   I am sure that the patients, once this is found out, will not appreciate it either.  Dental Hygiene is a PROFESSION that is earned through education, hands on patient experience and taught by other professionals.  To deny a patient the ultimate healthcare they deserve, and for what purpose, is unimaginable.  We, as dental hygienists, are respected by most of our Dentists and looked at as their "Right Hand Man/Woman".  Will this be the same case w/Dental Asst. II's?  Will the patient have the same confidence in their abilities to take care of them as they do us, the Hygienist?  Think about that.