Dear VBOD,

Dentistry has been my life for 30 years.  Like many, I started as a chairside assistant but quickly understood my earning potential would rise significantly as a dental hygienist.  With the exception of maternity leave for two children (12 weeks total) and the past three years spent as the dental assisting instructor for the then brand new VB facility, I was employed as a full time dental hygienist.  I am also married to a general practioner.  Needless to say, I am very well versed in all phases of the practice of dentistry.

I have lived through the change from direct to indirect supervision and the newest change allowing us to administer local anesthesia; both decisions were made after long, thoughtful deliberations.

For what it is worth, at times it feels that hygienists are so overqualified to do what we do.  Let's face it, if we are honest about it, anyone can pick and flick, polish and probe.  However, we know that the didactic and clinical education and training are necessary to keep the profession,  that has been extremely rewarding to me,  so much higher than just the standard of care.  

Preceptorship fell to licensure for a very good reason- to keep the public safe from incompetent practioners.  I have watched many dentists over the years give injections to my soft tissue managment patients and yet, I must take a continuing ed cousre and prove myself proficient before being granted the right to give anesthesia.  Expanding the functions of dental assistants, AFTER they prove proficiency in both national board and state practical is essential.  On the job training or longevity is no educational substitute for filling teeth, packing cord, (supra)scaling teeth, reversible or not.

Dentists and hygienists have clinical requirements to fulfill under the very estute and watchful eyes of skill professors, and they must pass national and state boards.  Expanded function dental assistants should be required to do no less.