I am writing this comment from a patient's perspective.  The person who cleans my family's teeth is a licensed dental hygienist and one whom I would recommend to anyone.  I would not want anyone else cleaning mine or my family's teeth ... however ... if she couldn't clean our teeth on a particular visit then I most certainly wouldn't want anyone BUT a licensed and trained hygienist cleaning our teeth.  Yes it is true that hands-on-experience does go a long way, but being educated in this field and being required to test for a licensce goes even further not to mention that continued education to keep your license is required.  This is the person I want cleaning my family's teeth ... the person who is up-to-date with the most current knowledge out there ... not someone from off the street applying for a dental assistant's job.  Think about it ... if your car needed new brakes, would you want a true mechanic to replace them or would you be okay with someone replacing your brakes that the shop just hired from off the streets with no experience but "is being trained" ... NO WAY ... I would never in a million years put my babies in that vehicle and drive off!!  As for my family and I ... if our dentist started allowing a dental assistant to start cleaning our teeth then we would seek dental care elsewhere.

Thank you.

Maria Goodman