Dear Sir,

I am in support of allowing dental assistants to use ultrasonics and do supragingival scaling.  For many years the U.S. Public Health Service, Indian Health Service  and the U.S. Military have successfully utilized trained dental auxillaries to provide ultrasonic and supragingival scaling procedures for their patients.  This allows the more highly trained Dental Hygienists and Dentists to concentrate on more complex procedures and patients.  This would greatly increase access to care for a large number of VA citizens should they choose to seek preventive care ( many don't ).  As some commentators fear, I do not see that insurance companies could differentiate between providers if the same service is provided.  Is reimbursement higher if a dentist instead of a hygienist does a prophy ? 

I disagree with the argument voiced in a large number of comments that quality of care would suffer and patients would be at risk if not treated by a hygienist or dentist.  This is simply not true.  It is an argument put forth by those who fear the role and importance of a Dental Hygienist would be diminished which it would not be.   With appropriate training these are procedures which can be safely and successfully accomplished by a Dental assistant  under direct supervision of a licensed Dentist or dental Hygienist.  This has been proven over many years in our Federal Dental services.  Patients have recieved quality treatment, with little if any adverse incidents relating to delegating this specific duty.

I would urge the Board to strongly consider allowing those properly trained personnel to provide this essential service under supervision of a Dental License holder.

Very Respectfully,

T. Olivero, Jr.  DDS