I STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposed change in the law that would allow the dental assistant (DA II) to scale Type I periodontal patients. The removal of calculus accretions is an invasive procedure and a key factor in the treatment of periodontal disease. With 31 years of experience as a dental hygiene clinician and professional educator, scaling services to patients can only be comprehended and safely performed by highly skilled, licensed dental hygienists! Dental hygienists must graduate from programs accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Accreditation in addition to passing national board and state clinical examinations to demonstrate competency!

Dental assistants are not licensed and most are trained on the job! They do not have the educational background, clinical skills nor the understanding of treating diseased patients or health care consequences. Training dental assistants to scale teeth with this proposal compromises the quality of care to patients as well as their safety! It would be interesting to know what "licensing" examination would be used to determine the clinical competency of this assistant? I am surprised that the Board of Dentistry is even addressing this change since it only promulgates regulations that are essential to the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of all citizens!

This proposal is not a solution to providing access to dental care. It gives some dental professionals the opportunity  to increase their profits by lowering the standards of care. Dentists need to focus on quality of care and public safety by supporting formally educated and licensed dental hygienists!

Thank-you