Having practiced Dental Hygiene for 30 years in a variety of settings , includiing working with the prophy technicians,  Within the military , there is a great deal of supervision with the use of prophy technicians.  As a rule, the hygienist  check -out  each patient,  completeing any work if minor or re-scheduling with a dental hygienist for a second appoinment.  I do not believe this same attention to the quality of care would be as easy to facilitate in the private sector.  There would be too much duplication and that would be time intensive.  Not to follow a similiar regemine would greatly undermine the quality of care given to the patient, leaving patients with either undetected material or requireing the patients to return for additional appointments.  I do not see how, with the coding systems in play for the insurances, how the multiple appointments could be justified.  Certainly, the codes for a prophylaxis would not qualify.  And, the patients would be ignorant of the difference.  It is our responsibility to make sure the patients recieve the care, that they believe they are being given.

If there is a greater demand for patient prophylaxis than is available to treat, than that would be there is a greater need for Dental Hygienist.  Professionals trained and liscensed to provide the service.