103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5213

 

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Lilian Jiménez

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
225 ILCS 25/4
225 ILCS 25/14.5 new
225 ILCS 25/14.6 new
225 ILCS 25/16  from Ch. 111, par. 2316
225 ILCS 25/16.1  from Ch. 111, par. 2316.1
225 ILCS 25/23  from Ch. 111, par. 2323
225 ILCS 25/25  from Ch. 111, par. 2325
225 ILCS 25/25.1
225 ILCS 25/26  from Ch. 111, par. 2326
225 ILCS 25/34  from Ch. 111, par. 2334
225 ILCS 25/36  from Ch. 111, par. 2336
225 ILCS 25/37  from Ch. 111, par. 2337
225 ILCS 25/38.1
225 ILCS 25/55  from Ch. 111, par. 2355

    Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Creates a license for dental therapists. Sets forth requirements for licensure and the scope of practice. Makes conforming changes.


LRB103 38052 RTM 68184 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5213LRB103 38052 RTM 68184 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Dental Practice Act is amended by
5changing Sections 4, 16, 16.1, 23, 25, 25.1, 26, 34, 36, 37,
638.1, and 55 and by adding Sections 7.7, 14.5, and 14.6 as
7follows:
 
8    (225 ILCS 25/4)
9    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
10    Sec. 4. Definitions. As used in this Act:
11    "Address of record" means the designated address recorded
12by the Department in the applicant's or licensee's application
13file or license file as maintained by the Department's
14licensure maintenance unit. It is the duty of the applicant or
15licensee to inform the Department of any change of address and
16those changes must be made either through the Department's
17website or by contacting the Department.
18    "Department" means the Department of Financial and
19Professional Regulation.
20    "Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and
21Professional Regulation.
22    "Board" means the Board of Dentistry.
23    "Dentist" means a person who has received a general

 

 

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1license pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 11 of this Act and
2who may perform any intraoral and extraoral procedure required
3in the practice of dentistry and to whom is reserved the
4responsibilities specified in Section 17.
5    "Dental hygienist" means a person who holds a license
6under this Act to perform dental services as authorized by
7Section 18.
8    "Dental assistant" means an appropriately trained person
9who, under the supervision of a dentist, provides dental
10services as authorized by Section 17.
11    "Expanded function dental assistant" means a dental
12assistant who has completed the training required by Section
1317.1 of this Act.
14    "Dental laboratory" means a person, firm, or corporation
15which:
16        (i) engages in making, providing, repairing, or
17    altering dental prosthetic appliances and other artificial
18    materials and devices which are returned to a dentist for
19    insertion into the human oral cavity or which come in
20    contact with its adjacent structures and tissues; and
21        (ii) utilizes or employs a dental technician to
22    provide such services; and
23        (iii) performs such functions only for a dentist or
24    dentists.
25    "Supervision" means supervision of a dental hygienist, or
26a dental assistant, or a dental therapist requiring that a

 

 

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1dentist authorize the procedure, remain in the dental facility
2while the procedure is performed, and approve the work
3performed by the dental hygienist, or dental assistant, or
4dental therapist before dismissal of the patient, but does not
5mean that the dentist must be present at all times in the
6treatment room.
7    "General supervision" means supervision of a dental
8hygienist or dental therapist requiring that the patient be a
9patient of record, that the dentist examine the patient in
10accordance with Section 18 prior to treatment by the dental
11hygienist or dental therapist, and that the dentist authorize
12the procedures which are being carried out by a notation in the
13patient's record, but not requiring that a dentist be present
14when the authorized procedures are being performed. The
15issuance of a prescription to a dental laboratory by a dentist
16does not constitute general supervision.
17    "Public member" means a person who is not a health
18professional. For purposes of board membership, any person
19with a significant financial interest in a health service or
20profession is not a public member.
21    "Dentistry" means the healing art which is concerned with
22the examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, and care of
23conditions within the human oral cavity and its adjacent
24tissues and structures, as further specified in Section 17.
25    "Branches of dentistry" means the various specialties of
26dentistry which, for purposes of this Act, shall be limited to

 

 

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1the following: endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery,
2orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry,
3periodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial
4radiology, and dental anesthesiology.
5    "Specialist" means a dentist who has received a specialty
6license pursuant to Section 11(b).
7    "Dental technician" means a person who owns, operates, or
8is employed by a dental laboratory and engages in making,
9providing, repairing, or altering dental prosthetic appliances
10and other artificial materials and devices which are returned
11to a dentist for insertion into the human oral cavity or which
12come in contact with its adjacent structures and tissues.
13    "Dental therapist" means a person licensed to practice
14dental therapy as described in Section 14.6.
15    "Dental therapy" means the provision of services described
16in Section 14.6 and any related services or procedures
17required in the performance of those services.
18    "Impaired dentist" or "impaired dental hygienist" means a
19dentist or dental hygienist who is unable to practice with
20reasonable skill and safety because of a physical or mental
21disability as evidenced by a written determination or written
22consent based on clinical evidence, including deterioration
23through the aging process, loss of motor skills, abuse of
24drugs or alcohol, or a psychiatric disorder, of sufficient
25degree to diminish the person's ability to deliver competent
26patient care.

 

 

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1    "Nurse" means a registered professional nurse, a certified
2registered nurse anesthetist licensed as an advanced practice
3registered nurse, or a licensed practical nurse licensed under
4the Nurse Practice Act.
5    "Patient of record" means a patient for whom the patient's
6most recent dentist has obtained a relevant medical and dental
7history and on whom the dentist has performed an examination
8and evaluated the condition to be treated.
9    "Dental responder" means a dentist or dental hygienist who
10is appropriately certified in disaster preparedness,
11immunizations, and dental humanitarian medical response
12consistent with the Society of Disaster Medicine and Public
13Health and training certified by the National Incident
14Management System or the National Disaster Life Support
15Foundation.
16    "Mobile dental van or portable dental unit" means any
17self-contained or portable dental unit in which dentistry is
18practiced that can be moved, towed, or transported from one
19location to another in order to establish a location where
20dental services can be provided.
21    "Public health dental hygienist" means a hygienist who
22holds a valid license to practice in the State, has 2 years of
23full-time clinical experience or an equivalent of 4,000 hours
24of clinical experience, and has completed at least 42 clock
25hours of additional structured courses in dental education in
26advanced areas specific to public health dentistry.

 

 

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1    "Public health setting" means a federally qualified health
2center; a federal, State, or local public health facility;
3Head Start; a special supplemental nutrition program for
4Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) facility; a certified
5school-based health center or school-based oral health
6program; a prison; or a long-term care facility.
7    "Public health supervision" means the supervision of a
8public health dental hygienist by a licensed dentist who has a
9written public health supervision agreement with that public
10health dental hygienist while working in an approved facility
11or program that allows the public health dental hygienist to
12treat patients, without a dentist first examining the patient
13and being present in the facility during treatment, (1) who
14are eligible for Medicaid or (2) who are uninsured or whose
15household income is not greater than 300% of the federal
16poverty level.
17    "Teledentistry" means the use of telehealth systems and
18methodologies in dentistry and includes patient care and
19education delivery using synchronous and asynchronous
20communications under a dentist's authority as provided under
21this Act.
22(Source: P.A. 102-93, eff. 1-1-22; 102-588, eff. 8-20-21;
23102-936, eff. 1-1-23; 103-425, eff. 1-1-24; 103-431, eff.
241-1-24; revised 12-15-23.)
 
25    (225 ILCS 25/14.5 new)

 

 

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1    Sec. 14.5. Examination of dental therapists; licensing
2    (a) Every person who desires to obtain a license as a
3dental therapist shall apply to the Department in writing,
4upon forms prepared and furnished by the Department. Each
5application shall contain proof of the particular
6qualifications required of the applicant, be verified by the
7applicant, under oath, and be accompanied by the required
8examination fee.
9    The Department shall require that every applicant for a
10license as a dental therapist shall:
11        (1) Be 18 years of age or older.
12        (2) Be a graduate of a dental therapy college or
13    school accredited by the Commission on Dental
14    Accreditation of the American Dental Association or any
15    other dental therapy accrediting entity recognized by the
16    United States Department of Education. For applicants
17    applying for a dental therapy license before January 1,
18    2029, the board must approve the applicant's dental
19    therapy education program if the program was administered
20    by a college or school that operates an accredited dental
21    or dental hygiene program and the college or school
22    certifies to the board that the applicant's education
23    substantially conformed to the education standards
24    established by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of
25    the American Dental Association.
26        (3) Successfully completed a dental therapy practical

 

 

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1    or clinical examination designated by the Department. If
2    an applicant fails to pass an examination after 3
3    attempts, the applicant is not eligible to retake the
4    examination unless the applicant completes additional
5    education requirements as specified by the Department.
6    (b) An applicant who satisfies the requirements of this
7Section and who has successfully completed an examination
8identified in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) in a
9jurisdiction other than this State, or who has successfully
10completed a comparable examination administered or approved by
11the licensing authority in a jurisdiction other than this
12State, shall be licensed to practice dental therapy in this
13State if the Department determines that the other
14jurisdiction's examination is substantially similar to those
15identified in paragraph (3) of subsection (a).
16    (c) The Department shall adopt rules to implement and
17administer this Section.
 
18    (225 ILCS 25/14.6 new)
19    Sec. 14.6. Dental therapists; scope and area of practice.
20    (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, a dental
21therapist may perform the dental therapy services specified in
22subsection (b) under the general supervision of a dentist to
23the extent authorized by the supervising dentist and provided
24within the terms of a written collaborative management
25agreement signed by the dental therapist and the supervising

 

 

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1dentist that meets the requirements of subsection (c).
2    (b) Dental therapy services include all of the following:
3        (1) All services, treatments, and competencies
4    identified by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of
5    the American Dental Association in the Accreditation
6    Standards for Dental Therapy Education Programs.
7        (2) The following state-specific services, if the
8    dental therapist's education included curriculum content
9    satisfying the criteria established by the Commission on
10    Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association
11    for state-specific dental therapy services:
12            (A) evaluating radiographs;
13            (B) placement of space maintainers;
14            (C) pulpotomies on primary teeth;
15            (D) dispensing and administering non-opioid
16        analgesics, including nitrous oxide,
17        anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics, as authorized by
18        the supervising dentist and within the parameters of
19        the collaborative management agreement; and
20            (E) oral evaluation and assessment of dental
21        disease and formulation of an individualized treatment
22        plan if authorized by the supervising dentist and
23        subject to any conditions, limitations, and protocols
24        specified by the supervising dentist in the
25        collaborative management agreement.
26    (c) Before performing any of the services authorized in

 

 

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1subsection (b), a dental therapist must enter into a written
2collaborative management agreement with a supervising dentist.
3The agreement must be signed by the dental therapist and the
4supervising dentist and must include all of the following
5information:
6        (1) practice settings where services may be provided
7    by the dental therapist and the populations to be served
8    by the dental therapist;
9        (2) any limitations on the services that may be
10    provided by the dental therapist, including the level of
11    supervision required by the supervising dentist and
12    teledentistry;
13        (3) age-specific and procedure-specific practice
14    protocols for the dental therapist, including case
15    selection criteria, assessment guidelines, and imaging
16    frequency;
17        (4) a procedure for creating and maintaining dental
18    records for the patients who are treated by the dental
19    therapist;
20        (5) a plan to manage medical emergencies in each
21    practice setting where the dental therapist provides care;
22        (6) a quality assurance plan for monitoring care
23    provided by the dental therapist, including patient care
24    review, referral follow-up, and a quality assurance chart
25    review;
26        (7) protocols for the dental therapist to administer

 

 

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1    and dispense medications, including the specific
2    conditions and circumstances under which the medications
3    are to be dispensed and administered;
4        (8) criteria relating to the provision of care by the
5    dental therapist to patients with specific medical
6    conditions or complex medication histories, including
7    requirements for consultation before the initiation of
8    care;
9        (9) supervision criteria of dental therapists; and
10        (10) a plan for the provision of clinical resources
11    and referrals in situations that are beyond the
12    capabilities of the dental therapist.
13    (d) A supervising dentist shall determine the number of
14hours of practice that a dental therapist must complete under
15direct or indirect supervision of the supervising dentist
16before the dental therapist may perform any of the services
17authorized in subsection (b) under general supervision.
18    (e) A supervising dentist may restrict or limit the dental
19therapist's practice in the written collaborative management
20agreement to be less than the full scope of practice for dental
21therapists that is authorized in subsection (b).
22    (f) A supervising dentist may authorize a dental therapist
23to provide dental therapy services to a patient before the
24supervising dentist examines or diagnoses the patient if the
25authority, conditions, and protocols are established in a
26written collaborative management agreement and if the patient

 

 

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1is subsequently referred to a dentist for any needed
2additional services that exceed the dental therapist's scope
3of practice or authorization under the collaborative
4management agreement.
5    (g) A supervising dentist must be licensed and practicing
6in this State. The supervising dentist is responsible for all
7services authorized and performed by the dental therapist
8pursuant to the collaborative management agreement and for
9providing or arranging follow-up services to be provided by a
10dentist for any additional services that exceed the dental
11therapist's scope of practice or authorization under the
12collaborative management agreement.
 
13    (225 ILCS 25/16)  (from Ch. 111, par. 2316)
14    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
15    Sec. 16. Expiration, renewal and restoration of licenses.
16The expiration date and renewal date for each license issued
17under this Act shall be set by rule. The renewal period for
18each license issued under this Act shall be 3 years. A dentist,
19or dental hygienist, or dental therapist may renew a license
20during the month preceding its expiration date by paying the
21required fee. A dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental
22therapist shall provide proof of current Basic Life Support
23(BLS) certification intended for health care providers at the
24time of renewal as provided by rule. Basic Life Support
25certification training taken as a requirement of this Section

 

 

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1shall be counted for no more than 4 hours during each licensure
2period towards the continuing education hours under Section
316.1 of this Act. The Department shall provide by rule for
4exemptions from this requirement for a dentist, or dental
5hygienist, or dental therapist with a physical disability that
6would preclude him or her from performing BLS.
7    Any dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental therapist
8whose license has expired or whose license is on inactive
9status may have his license restored at any time within 5 years
10after the expiration thereof, upon payment of the required fee
11and a showing of proof of compliance with current continuing
12education requirements, as provided by rule.
13    Any person whose license has been expired for more than 5
14years or who has had his license on inactive status for more
15than 5 years may have his license restored by making
16application to the Department and filing proof acceptable to
17the Department of taking continuing education and of his
18fitness to have the license restored, including sworn evidence
19certifying to active practice in another jurisdiction, and by
20paying the required restoration fee. A person practicing on an
21expired license is deemed to be practicing without a license.
22However, a holder of a license may renew the license within 90
23days after its expiration by complying with the requirements
24for renewal and payment of an additional fee. A license
25renewal within 90 days after expiration shall be effective
26retroactively to the expiration date.

 

 

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1    If a person whose license has expired or who has had his
2license on inactive status for more than 5 years has not
3maintained an active practice satisfactory to the department,
4the Department shall determine, by an evaluation process
5established by rule, his or her fitness to resume active
6status and may require the person to complete a period of
7evaluated clinical experience and may require successful
8completion of a practical examination.
9    However, any person whose license expired while he or she
10was (i) on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United
11States or called into service or training by the State militia
12or (ii) in training or education under the supervision of the
13United States preliminary to induction into the military
14service, may have his or her license renewed, reinstated, or
15restored without paying any lapsed renewal or restoration fee,
16if within 2 years after termination of such service, training,
17or education other than by dishonorable discharge, he or she
18furnishes the Department with satisfactory proof that he or
19she has been so engaged and that his or her service, training,
20or education has been so terminated.
21(Source: P.A. 97-526, eff. 1-1-12; 97-1013, eff. 8-17-12;
2298-147, eff. 1-1-14.)
 
23    (225 ILCS 25/16.1)  (from Ch. 111, par. 2316.1)
24    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
25    Sec. 16.1. Continuing education. The Department shall

 

 

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1promulgate rules of continuing education for persons licensed
2under this Act. In establishing rules, the Department shall
3require a minimum of 48 hours of study in approved courses for
4dentists during each 3-year licensing period and a minimum of
536 hours of study in approved courses for dental hygienists
6and dental therapists during each 3-year licensing period.
7    The Department shall approve only courses that are
8relevant to the treatment and care of patients, including, but
9not limited to, clinical courses in dentistry, and dental
10hygiene, and dental therapy and nonclinical courses such as
11patient management, legal and ethical responsibilities, and
12stress management. The Department shall allow up to 4 hours of
13continuing education credit hours per license renewal period
14for volunteer hours spent providing clinical services at, or
15sponsored by, a nonprofit community clinic, local or state
16health department, or a charity event. Courses shall not be
17approved in such subjects as estate and personal financial
18planning, personal investments, or personal health. Approved
19courses may include, but shall not be limited to, courses that
20are offered or sponsored by approved colleges, universities,
21and hospitals and by recognized national, State, and local
22dental and dental hygiene organizations. When offering a
23continuing education course, whether at no cost or for a fee,
24the course provider shall explicitly disclose that the course
25is an approved course for continuing education in the State of
26Illinois, as provided in this Section or by the rules adopted

 

 

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1by the Department.
2    No license shall be renewed unless the renewal application
3is accompanied by an affidavit indicating that the applicant
4has completed the required minimum number of hours of
5continuing education in approved courses as required by this
6Section. The affidavit shall not require a listing of courses.
7The affidavit shall be a prima facie evidence that the
8applicant has obtained the minimum number of required
9continuing education hours in approved courses. The Department
10shall not be obligated to conduct random audits or otherwise
11independently verify that an applicant has met the continuing
12education requirement. The Department, however, may not
13conduct random audits of more than 10% of the licensed
14dentists, and dental hygienists, and dental therapy
in any one
15licensing cycle to verify compliance with continuing education
16requirements. If the Department, however, receives a complaint
17that a licensee has not completed the required continuing
18education or if the Department is investigating another
19alleged violation of this Act by a licensee, the Department
20may demand and shall be entitled to receive evidence from any
21licensee of completion of required continuing education
22courses for the most recently completed 3-year licensing
23period. Evidence of continuing education may include, but is
24not limited to, canceled checks, official verification forms
25of attendance, and continuing education recording forms, that
26demonstrate a reasonable record of attendance. The Board shall

 

 

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1determine, in accordance with rules adopted by the Department,
2whether a licensee or applicant has met the continuing
3education requirements. Any dentist who holds more than one
4license under this Act shall be required to complete only the
5minimum number of hours of continuing education required for
6renewal of a single license. The Department may provide
7exemptions from continuing education requirements.
8(Source: P.A. 103-425, eff. 1-1-24.)
 
9    (225 ILCS 25/23)  (from Ch. 111, par. 2323)
10    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
11    Sec. 23. Refusal, revocation or suspension of dental
12licenses. The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may
13revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other
14disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may
15deem proper, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000
16per violation, with regard to any license for any one or any
17combination of the following causes:
18        1. Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or
19    procuring a license under this Act, or in connection with
20    applying for renewal of a license under this Act.
21        2. Inability to practice with reasonable judgment,
22    skill, or safety as a result of habitual or excessive use
23    or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any
24    other chemical agent or drug.
25        3. Willful or repeated violations of the rules of the

 

 

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1    Department of Public Health or Department of Nuclear
2    Safety.
3        4. Acceptance of a fee for service as a witness,
4    without the knowledge of the court, in addition to the fee
5    allowed by the court.
6        5. Division of fees or agreeing to split or divide the
7    fees received for dental services with any person for
8    bringing or referring a patient, except in regard to
9    referral services as provided for under Section 45, or
10    assisting in the care or treatment of a patient, without
11    the knowledge of the patient or his or her legal
12    representative. Nothing in this item 5 affects any bona
13    fide independent contractor or employment arrangements
14    among health care professionals, health facilities, health
15    care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise
16    prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include
17    provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or
18    other employment benefits for the provision of services
19    within the scope of the licensee's practice under this
20    Act. Nothing in this item 5 shall be construed to require
21    an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for
22    services rendered.
23        6. Employing, procuring, inducing, aiding or abetting
24    a person not licensed or registered as a dentist, or
25    dental hygienist, or dental therapist to engage in the
26    practice of dentistry or dental hygiene. The person

 

 

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1    practiced upon is not an accomplice, employer, procurer,
2    inducer, aider, or abetter within the meaning of this Act.
3        7. Making any misrepresentations or false promises,
4    directly or indirectly, to influence, persuade or induce
5    dental patronage.
6        8. Professional connection or association with or
7    lending his or her name to another for the illegal
8    practice of dentistry by another, or professional
9    connection or association with any person, firm or
10    corporation holding himself, herself, themselves, or
11    itself out in any manner contrary to this Act.
12        9. Obtaining or seeking to obtain practice, money, or
13    any other things of value by false or fraudulent
14    representations, but not limited to, engaging in such
15    fraudulent practice to defraud the medical assistance
16    program of the Department of Healthcare and Family
17    Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) under the
18    Illinois Public Aid Code.
19        10. Practicing under a false or, except as provided by
20    law, an assumed name.
21        11. Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or
22    unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive,
23    defraud, or harm the public.
24        12. Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere,
25    finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by
26    sentencing for any crime, including, but not limited to,

 

 

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1    convictions, preceding sentences of supervision,
2    conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under
3    the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that (i)
4    is a felony under the laws of this State or (ii) is a
5    misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty,
6    or that is directly related to the practice of dentistry.
7        13. Permitting a dental hygienist, dental assistant or
8    other person under his or her supervision to perform any
9    operation not authorized by this Act.
10        14. Permitting more than 4 dental hygienists to be
11    employed under his or her supervision at any one time.
12        15. A violation of any provision of this Act or any
13    rules promulgated under this Act.
14        16. Taking impressions for or using the services of
15    any person, firm or corporation violating this Act.
16        17. Violating any provision of Section 45 relating to
17    advertising.
18        18. Discipline by another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign
19    nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline
20    is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth
21    within this Act.
22        19. Willfully failing to report an instance of
23    suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused
24    and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
25        20. Gross negligence in practice under this Act.
26        21. The use or prescription for use of narcotics or

 

 

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1    controlled substances or designated products as listed in
2    the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, in any way other
3    than for therapeutic purposes.
4        22. Willfully making or filing false records or
5    reports in his or her practice as a dentist, including,
6    but not limited to, false records to support claims
7    against the dental assistance program of the Department of
8    Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois
9    Department of Public Aid).
10        23. Professional incompetence as manifested by poor
11    standards of care.
12        24. Physical or mental illness, including, but not
13    limited to, deterioration through the aging process, or
14    loss of motor skills which results in a dentist's
15    inability to practice dentistry with reasonable judgment,
16    skill or safety. In enforcing this paragraph, the
17    Department may compel a person licensed to practice under
18    this Act to submit to a mental or physical examination
19    pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 23b.
20        25. Gross or repeated irregularities in billing for
21    services rendered to a patient. For purposes of this
22    paragraph 25, "irregularities in billing" shall include:
23            (a) Reporting excessive charges for the purpose of
24        obtaining a total payment in excess of that usually
25        received by the dentist for the services rendered.
26            (b) Reporting charges for services not rendered.

 

 

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1            (c) Incorrectly reporting services rendered for
2        the purpose of obtaining payment not earned.
3        26. Continuing the active practice of dentistry while
4    knowingly having any infectious, communicable, or
5    contagious disease proscribed by rule or regulation of the
6    Department.
7        27. Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated
8    report by the Department of Children and Family Services
9    pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act,
10    and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the
11    licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or
12    neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected
13    Child Reporting Act.
14        28. Violating the Health Care Worker Self-Referral
15    Act.
16        29. Abandonment of a patient.
17        30. Mental incompetency as declared by a court of
18    competent jurisdiction.
19        31. A finding by the Department that the licensee,
20    after having his or her license placed on probationary
21    status, has violated the terms of probation.
22        32. Material misstatement in furnishing information to
23    the Department.
24        33. Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in
25    response to a written request by the Department in the
26    course of an investigation.

 

 

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1        34. Immoral conduct in the commission of any act,
2    including, but not limited to, commission of an act of
3    sexual misconduct related to the licensee's practice.
4        35. Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing
5    examination administered under this Act.
6        36. A pattern of practice or other behavior that
7    demonstrates incapacity or incompetence to practice under
8    this Act.
9        37. Failure to establish and maintain records of
10    patient care and treatment as required under this Act.
11        38. Failure to provide copies of dental records as
12    required by law.
13        39. Failure of a licensed dentist who owns or is
14    employed at a dental office to give notice of an office
15    closure to his or her patients at least 30 days prior to
16    the office closure pursuant to Section 50.1.
17        40. Failure to maintain a sanitary work environment.
18    All proceedings to suspend, revoke, place on probationary
19status, or take any other disciplinary action as the
20Department may deem proper, with regard to a license on any of
21the foregoing grounds, must be commenced within 5 years after
22receipt by the Department of a complaint alleging the
23commission of or notice of the conviction order for any of the
24acts described herein. Except for fraud in procuring a
25license, no action shall be commenced more than 7 years after
26the date of the incident or act alleged to have violated this

 

 

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1Section. The time during which the holder of the license was
2outside the State of Illinois shall not be included within any
3period of time limiting the commencement of disciplinary
4action by the Department.
5    All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within
660 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine
7or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing
8the fine.
9    The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend the
10license of any person who fails to file a return, or to pay the
11tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any
12final assessment of tax, penalty or interest, as required by
13any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of
14Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax
15Act are satisfied.
16    Any dentist who has had his or her license suspended or
17revoked for more than 5 years must comply with the
18requirements for restoration set forth in Section 16 prior to
19being eligible for reinstatement from the suspension or
20revocation.
21(Source: P.A. 103-425, eff. 1-1-24.)
 
22    (225 ILCS 25/25)  (from Ch. 111, par. 2325)
23    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
24    Sec. 25. Notice of hearing; investigations and informal
25conferences.

 

 

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1    (a) Upon the motion of either the Department or the Board
2or upon the verified complaint in writing of any person
3setting forth facts which if proven would constitute grounds
4for refusal, suspension or revocation of license under this
5Act, the Board shall investigate the actions of any person,
6hereinafter called the respondent, who holds or represents
7that he or she holds a license. All such motions or complaints
8shall be brought to the Board.
9    (b) Prior to taking an in-person statement from a dentist,
10or dental hygienist, or dental therapist who is the subject of
11a complaint, the investigator shall inform the dentist, or the
12dental hygienist, or the dental therapist in writing:
13        (1) that the dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental
14    therapist is the subject of a complaint;
15        (2) that the dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental
16    therapist need not immediately proceed with the interview
17    and may seek appropriate consultation prior to consenting
18    to the interview; and
19        (3) that failure of the dentist
, or dental hygienist,
20    or dental therapist to proceed with the interview shall
21    not prohibit the Department from conducting a visual
22    inspection of the facility.
23    A Department investigator's failure to comply with this
24subsection may not be the sole ground for dismissal of any
25order of the Department filed upon a finding of a violation or
26for dismissal of a pending investigation.

 

 

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1    (b-5) The duly authorized dental investigators of the
2Department shall have the right to enter and inspect, during
3business hours, the business premises of a dentist licensed
4under this Act or of a person who holds himself or herself out
5as practicing dentistry, with due consideration for patient
6care of the subject of the investigation, so as to inspect the
7physical premises and equipment and furnishings therein. This
8right of inspection shall not include inspection of business,
9medical, or personnel records located on the premises without
10a Department subpoena issued in accordance with Section 25.1
11of this Act or Section 2105-105 of the Department of
12Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code
13of Illinois. For the purposes of this Section, "business
14premises" means the office or offices where the dentist
15conducts the practice of dentistry.
16    (c) If the Department concludes on the basis of a
17complaint or its initial investigation that there is a
18possible violation of the Act, the Department may:
19        (1) schedule a hearing pursuant to this Act; or
20        (2) request in writing that the dentist, or dental
21    hygienist, or dental therapist being investigated attend
22    an informal conference with representatives of the
23    Department.
24    The request for an informal conference shall contain the
25nature of the alleged actions or inactions that constitute the
26possible violations.

 

 

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1    A dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental therapist shall
2be allowed to have legal counsel at the informal conference.
3If the informal conference results in a consent order between
4the accused dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental therapist
5and the Department, the consent order must be approved by the
6Secretary. However, if the consent order would result in a
7fine exceeding $10,000 or the suspension or revocation of the
8dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental therapist license, the
9consent order must be approved by the Board and the Secretary.
10Participation in the informal conference by a dentist, a
11dental hygienist, or the Department and any admissions or
12stipulations made by a dentist, a dental hygienist, a dental
13therapist, or the Department at the informal conference,
14including any agreements in a consent order that is
15subsequently disapproved by either the Board or the Secretary,
16shall not be used against the dentist, dental hygienist,
17dental therapist, or Department at any subsequent hearing and
18shall not become a part of the record of the hearing.
19    (d) The Secretary shall, before suspending, revoking,
20placing on probationary status, or taking any other
21disciplinary action as the Secretary may deem proper with
22regard to any license, at least 30 days prior to the date set
23for the hearing, notify the respondent in writing of any
24charges made and the time and place for a hearing of the
25charges before the Board, direct him or her to file his or her
26written answer thereto to the Board under oath within 20 days

 

 

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1after the service on him or her of such notice and inform him
2or her that if he or she fails to file such answer default will
3be taken against him or her and his or her license may be
4suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or other
5disciplinary action may be taken with regard thereto,
6including limiting the scope, nature or extent of his or her
7practice, as the Secretary may deem proper.
8    (e) Such written notice and any notice in such proceedings
9thereafter may be served by delivery personally to the
10respondent, or by registered or certified mail to the address
11last theretofore specified by the respondent in his or her
12last notification to the Secretary.
13(Source: P.A. 99-492, eff. 12-31-15.)
 
14    (225 ILCS 25/25.1)
15    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
16    Sec. 25.1. Subpoena powers.
17    (a) The Department, upon a determination by the
18chairperson of the Board that reasonable cause exists that a
19violation of one or more of the grounds for discipline set
20forth in Section 23 or Section 24 of this Act has occurred or
21is occurring, may subpoena the dental records of individual
22patients of dentists and dental hygienists licensed under this
23Act.
24    (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section, the
25Board and the Department may subpoena copies of hospital,

 

 

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1medical, or dental records in mandatory report cases alleging
2death or permanent bodily injury when consent to obtain the
3records has not been provided by a patient or a patient's legal
4representative. All records and other information received
5pursuant to a subpoena shall be confidential and shall be
6afforded the same status as information concerning medical
7studies under Part 21 of Article VIII of the Code of Civil
8Procedure. The use of these records shall be restricted to
9members of the Board, the dental coordinator, and appropriate
10Department staff designated by the Secretary for the purpose
11of determining the existence of one or more grounds for
12discipline of the dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental
13therapist as provided for in Section 23 or Section 24 of this
14Act.
15    (c) Any review of an individual patient's records shall be
16conducted by the Department in strict confidentiality,
17provided that the patient records shall be admissible in a
18disciplinary hearing before the Secretary, the Board, or a
19hearing officer designated by the Department when necessary to
20substantiate the grounds for discipline alleged against the
21dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental therapist licensed
22under this Act.
23    (d) The Department may provide reimbursement for fees and
24mileage associated with its subpoena power in the same manner
25prescribed by law for judicial procedure in a civil case.
26    (e) Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to supersede

 

 

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1the provisions of Part 21 of Article VIII of the Code of Civil
2Procedure, now or hereafter amended, to the extent applicable.
3    (f) All information gathered by the Department during any
4investigation, including information subpoenaed under this Act
5and the investigative file, shall be kept for the confidential
6use of the Secretary, the dental coordinator, the Board's
7attorneys, the dental investigative staff, authorized clerical
8staff, and persons employed by contract to advise the dental
9coordinator or the Department as provided in this Act, except
10that the Department may disclose information and documents to
11(i) a federal, State, or local law enforcement agency pursuant
12to a subpoena in an ongoing criminal investigation or (ii) a
13dental licensing authority of another state or jurisdiction
14pursuant to an official request made by that authority. Any
15information or documents disclosed by the Department to a
16federal, State, or local law enforcement agency may only be
17used by that agency for the investigation and prosecution of a
18criminal offense. Any information or documents disclosed by
19the Department to a dental licensing authority of another
20state or jurisdiction may only be used by that authority for
21investigations and disciplinary proceedings with regards to a
22license.
23    This subsection (f) applies only to causes of action
24accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act
25of the 96th General Assembly.
26(Source: P.A. 96-1221, eff. 7-23-10.)
 

 

 

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1    (225 ILCS 25/26)  (from Ch. 111, par. 2326)
2    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
3    Sec. 26. Disciplinary actions.
4    (a) In case the respondent, after receiving notice, fails
5to file an answer, his or her license may, in the discretion of
6the Secretary, having first received the recommendation of the
7Board, be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status,
8or the Secretary may take whatever disciplinary or
9non-disciplinary action he or she may deem proper, including
10limiting the scope, nature, or extent of the person's practice
11or the imposition of a fine, without a hearing, if the act or
12acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for such action
13under this Act.
14    (b) The Secretary may temporarily suspend the license of a
15dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental therapist without a
16hearing, simultaneous to the institution of proceedings for a
17hearing under this Act, if the Secretary finds that evidence
18in his or her possession indicates that a dentist's or dental
19hygienist's continuation in practice would constitute an
20immediate danger to the public. In the event that the
21Secretary temporarily suspends the license of a dentist, or a
22dental hygienist, or a dental therapist without a hearing, a
23hearing by the Board must be held within 15 days after such
24suspension has occurred.
25    (c) The entry of a judgment by any circuit court

 

 

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1establishing that any person holding a license under this Act
2is a person subject to involuntary admission under the Mental
3Health and Developmental Disabilities Code shall operate as a
4suspension of that license. That person may resume his or her
5practice only upon a finding by the Board that he or she has
6been determined to be no longer subject to involuntary
7admission by the court and upon the Board's recommendation to
8the Secretary that he or she be permitted to resume his or her
9practice.
10(Source: P.A. 99-492, eff. 12-31-15.)
 
11    (225 ILCS 25/34)  (from Ch. 111, par. 2334)
12    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
13    Sec. 34. Confidential information - disclosure. In all
14hearings conducted under this Act, information received,
15pursuant to law, relating to any information acquired by a
16dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental therapist in attending
17any patient in a professional character, and necessary to
18professionally serve such patient, shall be deemed strictly
19confidential and shall only be made available, either as part
20of the record of a hearing hereunder or otherwise: (1) when
21such record is required, in its entirety, for purposes of
22judicial review pursuant to this Act; or (2) upon the express,
23written consent of the patient, or in the case of his or her
24death or disability, his or her personal representative.
25(Source: P.A. 84-365.)
 

 

 

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1    (225 ILCS 25/36)  (from Ch. 111, par. 2336)
2    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
3    Sec. 36. Reports of Violations - Immunity. Any person
4licensed under this Act, the Illinois State Dental Society,
5Illinois Dental Hygienists Association, or any other similar
6group or component society or member thereof, or any other
7person, may report to the Board any information such person,
8association or society may have which appears to show that a
9dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental therapist is or may be
10in violation of any of the provisions of this Act. Any such
11person, association, or society, participating in good faith
12in the making of a report, under the Act, shall have immunity
13from any liability, civil, criminal or that otherwise might
14result by reason of such action. For the purpose of any
15proceedings, civil or criminal, the good faith of any such
16person, association, or society shall be presumed.
17(Source: P.A. 85-946.)
 
18    (225 ILCS 25/37)  (from Ch. 111, par. 2337)
19    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
20    Sec. 37. Unlicensed practice; injunctions. The practice of
21dentistry by any person not holding a valid and current
22license under this Act is declared to be inimical to the public
23welfare, to constitute a public nuisance, and to cause
24irreparable harm to the public welfare.

 

 

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1    A person is considered to practice dentistry who:
2        (1) employs a dentist, dental hygienist, dental
3    therapist, or other entity which can provide dental
4    services under this Act;
5        (2) directs or controls the use of any dental
6    equipment or material while such equipment or material is
7    being used for the provision of dental services, provided
8    that this provision shall not be construed to prohibit a
9    person from obtaining professional advice or assistance in
10    obtaining or from leasing the equipment or material,
11    provided the advice, assistance, or lease does not
12    restrict or interfere with the custody, control, or use of
13    the equipment or material by the person;
14        (3) directs, controls or interferes with a dentist's,
15    or dental hygienist's , or dental therapist's clinical
16    judgment; or
17        (4) exercises direction or control, by written
18    contract, license, or otherwise, over a dentist, dental
19    hygienist, dental therapist, or other entity which can
20    provide dental services under this Act in the selection of
21    a course of treatment; limitation of patient referrals;
22    content of patient records; policies and decisions
23    relating to refunds (if the refund payment would be
24    reportable under federal law to the National Practitioner
25    Data Bank) and warranties and the clinical content of
26    advertising; and final decisions relating to employment of

 

 

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1    dental assistants and dental hygienists. Nothing in this
2    Act shall, however, be construed as prohibiting the
3    seeking or giving of advice or assistance with respect to
4    these matters.
5    The purpose of this Section is to prevent a non-dentist
6from influencing or otherwise interfering with the exercise of
7independent professional judgment by a dentist, dental
8hygienist, dental therapist, or other entity which can provide
9dental services under this Act. Nothing in this Section shall
10be construed to prohibit insurers and managed care plans from
11operating pursuant to the applicable provisions of the
12Illinois Insurance Code under which the entities are licensed.
13    The Secretary, the Attorney General, the State's attorney
14of any county in the State, or any person may maintain an
15action in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, and
16may apply for injunctive relief in any circuit court to enjoin
17such person from engaging in such practice; and upon the
18filing of a verified petition in such court, the court if
19satisfied by affidavit, or otherwise, that such person has
20been engaged in such practice without a valid and current
21license so to do, may enter a temporary restraining order
22without notice or bond, enjoining the defendant from such
23further practice. Only the showing of non-licensure, by
24affidavit or otherwise, is necessary in order for a temporary
25injunction to issue. A copy of the verified complaint shall be
26served upon the defendant and the proceedings shall thereafter

 

 

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1be conducted as in other civil cases except as modified by this
2Section. If it is established that the defendant has been, or
3is engaged in such unlawful practice, the court may enter an
4order or judgment perpetually enjoining the defendant from
5further such practice. In all proceedings hereunder the court,
6in its discretion, may apportion the costs among the parties
7interested in the action, including cost of filing the
8complaint, service of process, witness fees and expenses,
9court reporter charges and reasonable attorneys' fees. In case
10of violation of any injunctive order entered under the
11provisions of this Section, the court may summarily try and
12punish the offender for contempt of court. Such injunction
13proceedings shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, all
14penalties and other remedies provided in this Act.
15    This Section does not apply to an executor, administrator,
16guardian, or authorized representative contracting with
17another dentist or dentists to continue the operations of a
18deceased or incapacitated dentist's practice under Section
1938.2 of this Act.
20(Source: P.A. 97-1013, eff. 8-17-12.)
 
21    (225 ILCS 25/38.1)
22    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
23    Sec. 38.1. Prohibition against interference by
24non-dentists. The purpose of this Section is to ensure that
25each dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental therapist

 

 

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1practicing in this State meets minimum requirements for safe
2practice without clinical interference by persons not licensed
3under this Act. It is the legislative intent that dental
4services be provided only in accordance with the provisions of
5this Act and not be delegated to unlicensed persons.
6    Unless otherwise authorized by this Act, a dentist, or
7dental hygienist, or dental therapist is prohibited from
8providing dental services in this State, if the dentist, or
9dental hygienist, or dental therapist:
10        (1) is employed by any person other than a dentist to
11    provide dental services, except as set forth in Section
12    38.2 of this Act; or
13        (2) allows any person other than another dentist to
14    direct, control, or interfere with the dentist's or dental
15    hygienist's clinical judgment. Clinical judgment shall
16    include but not be limited to such matters as the
17    dentist's or dental hygienist's selection of a course of
18    treatment, limitation of patient referrals, content of
19    patient records, policies and decisions relating to
20    refunds (if the refund payment would be reportable under
21    federal law to the National Practitioner Data Bank) and
22    warranties and the clinical content of advertising, and
23    final decisions relating to employment of dental
24    assistants and dental hygienists. This paragraph shall not
25    be construed to limit a patient's right of informed
26    consent. An executor, administrator, guardian, or

 

 

HB5213- 38 -LRB103 38052 RTM 68184 b

1    authorized representative contracting with another dentist
2    or dentists to continue the operations of a deceased or
3    incapacitated dentist's practice under Section 38.2 of
4    this Act who violates this paragraph (2) is subject to the
5    civil penalties set forth in Section 8.5 of this Act.
6(Source: P.A. 94-1028, eff. 1-1-07.)
 
7    (225 ILCS 25/55)  (from Ch. 111, par. 2355)
8    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
9    Sec. 55. Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois
10Administrative Procedure Act is hereby expressly adopted and
11incorporated herein as if all of the provisions of that Act
12were included in this Act, except that the provision of
13subsection (d) of Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative
14Procedure Act that provides that at hearings the dentist, or
15dental hygienist, or dental therapist has the right to show
16compliance with all lawful requirements for retention,
17continuation or renewal of the license is specifically
18excluded. For the purposes of this Act the notice required
19under Section 10-25 of the Administrative Procedure Act is
20deemed sufficient when mailed to the last known address of a
21party.
22(Source: P.A. 88-45; 89-80, eff. 6-30-95; 89-116, eff.
237-7-95.)