SB2586eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2586 Engrossed LRB103 32717 SPS 62470 b

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Dental Practice Act is amended by changing Sections 4, 18.1, and 23 and by adding Section 17.2 as follows:

(225 ILCS 25/4)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 4. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Address of record" means the designated address recorded by the Department in the applicant's or licensee's application file or license file as maintained by the Department's licensure maintenance unit. It is the duty of the applicant or licensee to inform the Department of any change of address and those changes must be made either through the Department's website or by contacting the Department.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Board" means the Board of Dentistry.

"Dentist" means a person who has received a general license pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 11 of this Act and who may perform any intraoral and extraoral procedure required in the practice of dentistry and to whom is reserved the responsibilities specified in Section 17.

"Dental hygienist" means a person who holds a license under this Act to perform dental services as authorized by Section 18.

"Dental assistant" means an appropriately trained person who, under the supervision of a dentist, provides dental services as authorized by Section 17.

"Expanded function dental assistant" means a dental assistant who has completed the training required by Section 17.1 of this Act.

"Dental laboratory" means a person, firm, or corporation which:

(i) engages in making, providing, repairing, or altering dental prosthetic appliances and other artificial materials and devices which are returned to a dentist for insertion into the human oral cavity or which come in contact with its adjacent structures and tissues; and

(ii) utilizes or employs a dental technician to provide such services; and

(iii) performs such functions only for a dentist or dentists.

"Supervision" means supervision of a dental hygienist or a dental assistant requiring that a dentist authorize the procedure, remain in the dental facility while the procedure is performed, and approve the work performed by the dental hygienist or dental assistant before dismissal of the patient, but does not mean that the dentist must be present at all times in the treatment room.

"General supervision" means supervision of a dental hygienist requiring that the patient be a patient of record, that the dentist examine the patient in accordance with Section 18 prior to treatment by the dental hygienist, and that the dentist authorize the procedures which are being carried out by a notation in the patient's record, but not requiring that a dentist be present when the authorized procedures are being performed. The issuance of a prescription to a dental laboratory by a dentist does not constitute general supervision.

"Public member" means a person who is not a health professional. For purposes of board membership, any person with a significant financial interest in a health service or profession is not a public member.

"Dentistry" means the healing art which is concerned with the examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, and care of conditions within the human oral cavity and its adjacent tissues and structures, as further specified in Section 17.

"Branches of dentistry" means the various specialties of dentistry which, for purposes of this Act, shall be limited to the following: endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial radiology, and dental anesthesiology.

"Specialist" means a dentist who has received a specialty license pursuant to Section 11(b).

"Dental technician" means a person who owns, operates, or is employed by a dental laboratory and engages in making, providing, repairing, or altering dental prosthetic appliances and other artificial materials and devices which are returned to a dentist for insertion into the human oral cavity or which come in contact with its adjacent structures and tissues.

"Informed consent" means legally valid consent that is given by a patient or legal guardian, that is recorded in writing or digitally, that authorizes intervention or treatment services from the treating dentist, and that documents agreement to participate in those services and knowledge of the risks, benefits, and alternatives, including the decision to withdraw from or decline treatment.

"Impaired dentist" or "impaired dental hygienist" means a dentist or dental hygienist who is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety because of a physical or mental disability as evidenced by a written determination or written consent based on clinical evidence, including deterioration through the aging process, loss of motor skills, abuse of drugs or alcohol, or a psychiatric disorder, of sufficient degree to diminish the person's ability to deliver competent patient care.

"Nurse" means a registered professional nurse, a certified registered nurse anesthetist licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse, or a licensed practical nurse licensed under the Nurse Practice Act.

"Patient of record", except as provided in Section 17.2, means a patient for whom the patient's most recent dentist has obtained a relevant medical and dental history and on whom the dentist has performed a physical an examination within the last year and evaluated the condition to be treated, including a review of the patient's most recent x-rays.

"Dental responder" means a dentist or dental hygienist who is appropriately certified in disaster preparedness, immunizations, and dental humanitarian medical response consistent with the Society of Disaster Medicine and Public Health and training certified by the National Incident Management System or the National Disaster Life Support Foundation.

"Mobile dental van or portable dental unit" means any self-contained or portable dental unit in which dentistry is practiced that can be moved, towed, or transported from one location to another in order to establish a location where dental services can be provided.

"Public health dental hygienist" means a hygienist who holds a valid license to practice in the State, has 2 years of full-time clinical experience or an equivalent of 4,000 hours of clinical experience, and has completed at least 42 clock hours of additional structured courses in dental education in advanced areas specific to public health dentistry.

"Public health setting" means a federally qualified health center; a federal, State, or local public health facility; Head Start; a special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) facility; a certified school-based health center or school-based oral health program; a prison; or a long-term care facility.

"Public health supervision" means the supervision of a public health dental hygienist by a licensed dentist who has a written public health supervision agreement with that public health dental hygienist while working in an approved facility or program that allows the public health dental hygienist to treat patients, without a dentist first examining the patient and being present in the facility during treatment, (1) who are eligible for Medicaid or (2) who are uninsured or whose household income is not greater than 300% of the federal poverty level.

"Teledentistry" means the use of telehealth systems and methodologies in dentistry and includes patient diagnosis, treatment planning, care, and education delivery for a patient of record using synchronous and asynchronous communications under an Illinois licensed a dentist's authority as provided under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-93, eff. 1-1-22; 102-588, eff. 8-20-21; 102-936, eff. 1-1-23; 103-425, eff. 1-1-24; 103-431, eff. 1-1-24; revised 12-15-23.)

(225 ILCS 25/17.2 new)

Sec. 17.2. Teledentistry.

(a) As used in this Section, "patient of record" means a patient for whom the patient's most recent Illinois-licensed dentist has obtained a relevant medical and dental history and on whom the dentist has (i) performed a physical examination within the last year or (ii) obtained records from an in-person examination within the previous 12 months which evaluated the condition to be treated, including a review of the patient's most recent x-rays.

(b) A dentist may only practice or utilize teledentistry on a patient of record. A dentist practicing dentistry through teledentistry is subject to the same standard of care and practice standards that are applicable to dental services provided in a clinic or office setting. A dentist may provide and delegate dental services using teledentistry only under the supervision requirements as specified in this Act for in-person care. Prior to providing teledentistry services to a patient, a dentist must obtain informed consent from the patient as to the treatment proposed to be offered through teledentistry by the dentist. A dentist providing teledentistry under this Section shall provide the patient with the his or her name, direct telephone number, and physical practice address. It is a violation of this Act for a provider of dental services rendering care through teledentistry to require a patient to sign an agreement that limits in any way the patient's ability to write a review of services received or file a complaint with the Department or other regulatory agency. A dentist may treat a patient through teledentistry in the absence of a provider-patient relationship when, in the professional judgment of the dentist, dental or medical emergency care is required. The Department shall adopt rules to provide for the use of teledentistry in the State of Illinois.

(225 ILCS 25/18.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 18.1. Public health dental supervision responsibilities.

(a) When working together in a public health supervision relationship, dentists and public health dental hygienists shall enter into a public health supervision agreement. The dentist providing public health supervision must:

(1) be available to provide an appropriate level of contact, communication, collaboration, and consultation with the public health dental hygienist and must meet in-person with the public health dental hygienist at least quarterly for review and consultation;

(2) have specific standing orders or policy guidelines for procedures that are to be carried out for each location or program, although the dentist need not be present when the procedures are being performed;

(3) provide for the patient's additional necessary care in consultation with the public health dental hygienist;

(4) file agreements and notifications as required; and

(5) include procedures for creating and maintaining dental records, including protocols for transmission of all records between the public health dental hygienist and the dentist following each treatment, which shall include a notation regarding procedures authorized by the dentist and performed by the public health dental hygienist and the location where those records are to be kept.

Each dentist and hygienist who enters into a public health supervision agreement must document and maintain a copy of any change or termination of that agreement.

Dental records shall be owned and maintained by the supervising dentist for all patients treated under public health supervision, unless the supervising dentist is an employee of a public health clinic or federally qualified health center, in which case the public health clinic or federally qualified health center shall maintain the records.

If a dentist ceases to be employed or contracted by the facility, the dentist shall notify the facility administrator that the public health supervision agreement is no longer in effect. A new public health supervision agreement is required for the public health dental hygienist to continue treating patients under public health supervision.

A dentist entering into an agreement under this Section may supervise and enter into agreements for public health supervision with 4 public health dental hygienists. This shall be in addition to the limit of 4 dental hygienists per dentist set forth in subsection (g) of Section 18 of this Act.

(b) A public health dental hygienist providing services under public health supervision may perform only those duties within the accepted scope of practice of dental hygiene, as follows:

(1) the operative procedures of dental hygiene, consisting of oral prophylactic procedures, including prophylactic cleanings, application of fluoride, and placement of sealants;

(2) the exposure and processing of x-ray films of the teeth and surrounding structures; and

(3) such other procedures and acts as shall be prescribed by rule of the Department.

Any patient treated under this subsection (b) must be examined by a dentist before additional services can be provided by a public health dental hygienist. However, if the supervising dentist, after consultation with the public health hygienist, determines that time is needed to complete an approved treatment plan on a patient eligible under this Section, then the dentist may instruct the hygienist to complete the remaining services prior to an oral examination by the dentist. Such instruction by the dentist to the hygienist shall be noted in the patient's records. Any services performed under this exception must be scheduled in a timely manner and shall not occur more than 30 days after the first appointment date.

(c) A public health dental hygienist providing services under public health supervision must:

(1) provide to the patient, parent, or guardian a written plan for referral or an agreement for follow-up that records all conditions observed that should be called to the attention of a dentist for proper diagnosis;

(2) have each patient sign a permission slip or consent form that informs them that the service to be received does not take the place of regular dental checkups at a dental office and is meant for people who otherwise would not have access to the service;

(3) inform each patient who may require further dental services of that need;

(4) maintain an appropriate level of contact and communication with the dentist providing public health supervision; and

(5) complete an additional 4 hours of continuing education in areas specific to public health dentistry yearly.

(d) Each public health dental hygienist who has rendered services under subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this Section must complete a summary report at the completion of a program or, in the case of an ongoing program, at least annually. The report must be completed in the manner specified by the Department of Public Health Oral Health Section including information about each location where the public health dental hygienist has rendered these services. The public health dental hygienist must submit the form to the dentist providing supervision for his or her signature before sending it to the Division. The Department of Public Health Oral Health Section shall compile and publicize public health dental hygienist service data annually.

(e) Public health dental hygienists providing services under public health supervision may be compensated for their work by salary, honoraria, and other mechanisms by the employing or sponsoring entity. Nothing in this Act shall preclude the entity that employs or sponsors a public health dental hygienist from seeking payment, reimbursement, or other source of funding for the services provided.

(e-5) A patient who is provided services under a supervision agreement by a public health dental hygienist as described in this Section does not need to receive a physical examination from a dentist prior to treatment if the public health dental hygienist consults with the supervising dentist prior to performing the teledentistry service.

(f) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2026.

(Source: P.A. 103-431, eff. 1-1-24.)

(225 ILCS 25/23) (from Ch. 111, par. 2323)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 23. Refusal, revocation or suspension of dental licenses. The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 per violation, with regard to any license for any one or any combination of the following causes:

1. Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act, or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

2. Inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug.

3. Willful or repeated violations of the rules of the Department of Public Health or Department of Nuclear Safety.

4. Acceptance of a fee for service as a witness, without the knowledge of the court, in addition to the fee allowed by the court.

5. Division of fees or agreeing to split or divide the fees received for dental services with any person for bringing or referring a patient, except in regard to referral services as provided for under Section 45, or assisting in the care or treatment of a patient, without the knowledge of the patient or his or her legal representative. Nothing in this item 5 affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this item 5 shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

6. Employing, procuring, inducing, aiding or abetting a person not licensed or registered as a dentist or dental hygienist to engage in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene. The person practiced upon is not an accomplice, employer, procurer, inducer, aider, or abetter within the meaning of this Act.

7. Making any misrepresentations or false promises, directly or indirectly, to influence, persuade or induce dental patronage.

8. Professional connection or association with or lending his or her name to another for the illegal practice of dentistry by another, or professional connection or association with any person, firm or corporation holding himself, herself, themselves, or itself out in any manner contrary to this Act.

9. Obtaining or seeking to obtain practice, money, or any other things of value by false or fraudulent representations, but not limited to, engaging in such fraudulent practice to defraud the medical assistance program of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) under the Illinois Public Aid Code.

10. Practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

11. Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

12. Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing for any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that (i) is a felony under the laws of this State or (ii) is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of dentistry.

13. Permitting a dental hygienist, dental assistant or other person under his or her supervision to perform any operation not authorized by this Act.

14. Permitting more than 4 dental hygienists to be employed under his or her supervision at any one time.

15. A violation of any provision of this Act or any rules promulgated under this Act.

16. Taking impressions for or using the services of any person, firm or corporation violating this Act.

17. Violating any provision of Section 45 relating to advertising.

18. Discipline by another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth within this Act.

19. Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

20. Gross negligence in practice under this Act.

21. The use or prescription for use of narcotics or controlled substances or designated products as listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, in any way other than for therapeutic purposes.

22. Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice as a dentist, including, but not limited to, false records to support claims against the dental assistance program of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid).

23. Professional incompetence as manifested by poor standards of care.

24. Physical or mental illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor skills which results in a dentist's inability to practice dentistry with reasonable judgment, skill or safety. In enforcing this paragraph, the Department may compel a person licensed to practice under this Act to submit to a mental or physical examination pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 23b.

25. Gross or repeated irregularities in billing for services rendered to a patient. For purposes of this paragraph 25, "irregularities in billing" shall include:

(a) Reporting excessive charges for the purpose of obtaining a total payment in excess of that usually received by the dentist for the services rendered.

(b) Reporting charges for services not rendered.

(c) Incorrectly reporting services rendered for the purpose of obtaining payment not earned.

26. Continuing the active practice of dentistry while knowingly having any infectious, communicable, or contagious disease proscribed by rule or regulation of the Department.

27. Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

28. Violating the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act.

29. Abandonment of a patient.

30. Mental incompetency as declared by a court of competent jurisdiction.

31. A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

32. Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

33. Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request by the Department in the course of an investigation.

34. Immoral conduct in the commission of any act, including, but not limited to, commission of an act of sexual misconduct related to the licensee's practice.

35. Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examination administered under this Act.

36. A pattern of practice or other behavior that demonstrates incapacity or incompetence to practice under this Act.

37. Failure to establish and maintain records of patient care and treatment as required under this Act.

38. Failure to provide copies of dental records as required by law.

39. Failure of a licensed dentist who owns or is employed at a dental office to give notice of an office closure to his or her patients at least 30 days prior to the office closure pursuant to Section 50.1.

40. Failure to maintain a sanitary work environment.

41. Failure to comply with the provisions of Section 17.2 of this Act.

All proceedings to suspend, revoke, place on probationary status, or take any other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, with regard to a license on any of the foregoing grounds, must be commenced within 5 years after receipt by the Department of a complaint alleging the commission of or notice of the conviction order for any of the acts described herein. Except for fraud in procuring a license, no action shall be commenced more than 7 years after the date of the incident or act alleged to have violated this Section. The time during which the holder of the license was outside the State of Illinois shall not be included within any period of time limiting the commencement of disciplinary action by the Department.

All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.

Any dentist who has had his or her license suspended or revoked for more than 5 years must comply with the requirements for restoration set forth in Section 16 prior to being eligible for reinstatement from the suspension or revocation.

(Source: P.A. 103-425, eff. 1-1-24.)

Section 10. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act is amended by adding Section 2EEEE as follows:

(815 ILCS 505/2EEEE new)

Sec. 2EEEE. Violations concerning teledentistry under the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Any person who violates Section 17.2 of the Illinois Dental Practice Act commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of this Act.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.