As a Virginia dental patient, I have concerns about dental assistants being permitted to perform scaling procedures. Dental hygienists complete extensive education and supervised clinical training specifically to provide preventive and periodontal care. I believe that level of training is important when someone is using instruments to remove calculus from a patient’s teeth.

I understand that this legislation has already been passed, but its implementation should include clear and consistent safeguards. Individual dental offices should not be left to determine their own standards for training and competency.

I respectfully ask the Virginia Board of Dentistry to begin the formal rulemaking process and establish strong statewide requirements for training, supervision, competency, and patient safety before dental assistants perform these procedures.