A method and apparatus for vibrating a dental scaler insert at its resonant frequency which includes an energizing coil and an automatically tuned oscillating circuit is disclosed. The oscillating circuit is automatically tuned to vibrate a scaler insert at its resonant frequency in response to an impedance of the energizing coil. The energizing coil impedance is responsive to a scaler insert positioned within the energizing coil. Additionally, the dental scaler device can be operated with scaling inserts having different mechanical resonant frequencies associated therewith. Accordingly, dental scaler inserts resonant at about 25kHz or 30kHz may be inserted and operated by the dental scaler device of the present invention. The apparatus for vibrating a dental scaler may also include a feature permitting the operator to temporarily increase an amplitude of vibration of the scaler insert to enable the operator to dislodge stubborn calculus from a patient's teeth.