I am writing in opposition to this bill.  As the Director of a Dental Hygiene program, as a dental hygiene educator for 30 years and as a registered dental hygienist for 40 years, I believe passage of this bill would be a detriment to the public.  Scaling is an invasive procedure and an understanding of anatomy, pain control and pharmacology among many content areas as well as well-honed psychmotor skills are necessary for those providing this service.  With increasing information about the link between oral health and systemic disease, only a seasoned and knowledgeable critical thinker should be providing this service.  One who educates patients concerning their periodontal health needs a knowledge that supersedes what a dental assisting program can provide.  Dental assistants are trained to work in tandem with dentists and assist them, as their title implies.  Dental hygienists receive a well-rounded and advanced education that does not reduce scaling to a manual procedure but regards it as an activity that could impact a patient's overall well being.  Further, stipulating three milimeters below the tissue is highly arbitrary - who will monitor the exact depths?  I am strongly opposed to this measure and feel that it threatens the public's health.