I am a practicing Registered Dental Hygienist with previous experience as a nationally certified Dental Assistant and Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA/CDAII). There is a clear EFDA/CDAII pathway in Virginia that sets educational and clinical standards for dental assistants that allows them to hold a VA license. Why are we creating an additional pathway that has less standards and less education required when there is already a clear pathway that allows DA's to expand their skills? "Scaling assistants" are a patient safety risk, an insurance claims nightmare, and as a whole downgrades the quality of dentistry. This is a huge step in the wrong direction for the profession. To become a CDA in Virginia you attend a 1 year CODA accredited program, typically at a community college. Then you take 3 nationally recognized exams that test you on infection control, radiology exposure/safety, and chairside assisting. After completing this program you can apply to become an EFDA/DAII which is typically 1-2 more semesters that allow you to expand your skills and apply for VA licensure. WHY NOT ADD SUPRA-SCALING TO THIS PATHWAY? That is a compromise I can get behind.