HR0039LRB103 29645 MST 56042 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Nearly everyone who visits the dentist's office
3is familiar with the role of the dental hygienist; a hygienist
4performs the deep clean of your teeth, flags trouble spots
5that could become cavities, reviews how diet can affect the
6health of your mouth, and much more; a dental hygienist works
7with a patient to prepare them for an appearance before the
8dentist; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The work of a dental hygienist helps prevent
10tooth decay and helps maintain a patient's oral health; the
11importance of having hygienists on staff cannot be
12understated; and
 
13    WHEREAS, A good dental hygienist eases the dentist's
14burden, freeing the dentist to perform more advanced
15procedures; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Across the country, employers are still
17struggling to fill certain jobs; that is especially true for
18dentists trying to hire hygienists and other support staff; in
19addition, many patients are just now returning to the dentist
20after a long pandemic break, and they are finding it difficult
21to schedule an appointment; and
 

 

 

HR0039- 2 -LRB103 29645 MST 56042 r

1    WHEREAS, A poll by the American Dental Association shows
2that nearly 40% of dentists are trying to recruit hygienists;
3of those, 95% say it has been extremely or very difficult to
4hire someone; in the 20 largest U.S. cities, the American
5Dental Association's polling reveals that only half of
6hygienist positions are reported as filled; and
 
7    WHEREAS, More than 80% of dentists that are recruiting
8dental hygienists are raising salaries; some are also offering
9more flexible working hours in an attempt to attract qualified
10candidates; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Staffing shortages have brought greater
12appreciation for the services of dental hygienists and
13assistants; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
15HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16we recognize the important role that dental hygienists and
17assistants play in maintaining oral health; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That we urge the Illinois Community College
19Board to incentivize the dental hygienists programs throughout
20the community colleges; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be

 

 

HR0039- 3 -LRB103 29645 MST 56042 r

1presented to the Illinois Dental Hygienists' Association, the
2Illinois State Dental Society, and the Illinois Community
3College Board.