Scaling should NOT be incorporated into the dental assisting programs, because it will result in a lower quality of care for the patient. The dental hygiene program is a very extensive and in depth learning process. Subgingival scaling is what HYGIENISTS go to school for!!!!! We are specifically trained to do this, not to mention the training for detection of oral lesions/cancerous lesions, and anomalies! The dentist does NOT have the time to go behind every dental assistant who is trained to scale subgingivally and make sure he/she is incorporating all of these things into the patient care process. This could not only lead to many lawsuits, but it will result in the patients suffering.

Also, I have read a few comments that state there is a shortage of dental hygienists (specifically in southwest Virginia), and that this program is "needed." This is NOT true!!! There is a shortage of DENTISTS!! This is why most hygiene students from the area move AWAY - Dental hygiene jobs in southwest Virginia are very scarce!