As a dental hygienist for 30 years , taught clinical dental hygiene for 10 years and now retired. This decision is idiotic and a huge slap in the face of all hygienist who have spent good money on college pre requirements and then  dental hygiene class and clinical requirements. 
For goodness sake we as hygienist can’t even move to another state to practice without meeting with the Dental board, take written test that are required by each state and in some states like Arizona you have to do a clinical skills exam.

Nursing can move freely with no hoops to jump through even with a questionable background or firing.

If this is being done due to lack of hygienist availability then ask yourself why? Could it be because Hygienist rarely are given benefits, only allowed to work less than 40 hours so not to qualify as full time. Perhaps  because we pay for our own malpractice insurance, continuing education requirements and in so many offices not allowed the appropriate time to do our jobs because getting as many patients through is the goal.

In short, this is the most underhanded move from the dentist and dental board not only for the hygienist but to the patients who will not receive the professional attention they deserve and PAY for.