Public Act 0976 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2631 Enrolled LRB100 16398 SMS 31526 b

Public Act 100-0976

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 11, 17, and 17.1 as follows:

(225 ILCS 25/11) (from Ch. 111, par. 2311)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 11. Types of dental licenses. The Department shall have the authority to issue the following types of licenses:

(a) General licenses. The Department shall issue a license authorizing practice as a dentist to any person who qualifies for a license under this Act.

(b) Specialty licenses. The Department shall issue a license authorizing practice as a specialist in any particular branch of dentistry to any dentist who has complied with the requirements established for that particular branch of dentistry at the time of making application. The Department shall establish additional requirements of any dentist who announces or holds himself or herself out to the public as a specialist or as being specially qualified in any particular branch of dentistry.

No dentist shall announce or hold himself or herself out to the public as a specialist or as being specially qualified in any particular branch of dentistry unless he or she is licensed to practice in that specialty of dentistry.

The fact that any dentist shall announce by card, letterhead or any other form of communication using terms as "Specialist," "Practice Limited To" or "Limited to Specialty of" with the name of the branch of dentistry practiced as a specialty, or shall use equivalent words or phrases to announce the same, shall be prima facie evidence that the dentist is holding himself or herself out to the public as a specialist.

(c) Temporary training licenses. Persons who wish to pursue specialty or other advanced clinical educational programs in an approved dental school or a hospital situated in this State, or persons who wish to pursue programs of specialty training in dental public health in public agencies in this State, may receive without examination, in the discretion of the Department, a temporary training license. In order to receive a temporary training license under this subsection, an applicant shall furnish satisfactory proof to the Department that:

(1) The applicant is at least 21 years of age and is of good moral character. In determining moral character under this Section, the Department may take into consideration any felony conviction of the applicant, but such a conviction shall not operate as bar to licensure;

(2) The applicant has been accepted or appointed for specialty or residency training by an approved hospital situated in this State, by an approved dental school situated in this State, or by a public health agency in this State the training programs of which are recognized and approved by the Department. The applicant shall indicate the beginning and ending dates of the period for which he or she has been accepted or appointed;

(3) The applicant is a graduate of a dental school or college approved and in good standing in the judgment of the Department. The Department may consider diplomas or certifications of education, or both, accompanied by transcripts of course work and credits awarded to determine if an applicant has graduated from a dental school or college approved and in good standing. The Department may also consider diplomas or certifications of education, or both, accompanied by transcripts of course work and credits awarded in determining whether a dental school or college is approved and in good standing.

Temporary training licenses issued under this Section shall be valid only for the duration of the period of residency or specialty training and may be extended or renewed as prescribed by rule. The holder of a valid temporary training license shall be entitled thereby to perform acts as may be prescribed by and incidental to his or her program of residency or specialty training; but he or she shall not be entitled to engage in the practice of dentistry in this State.

A temporary training license may be revoked by the Department upon proof that the holder has engaged in the practice of dentistry in this State outside of his or her program of residency or specialty training, or if the holder shall fail to supply the Department, within 10 days of its request, with information as to his or her current status and activities in his or her specialty training program.

(d) Faculty limited Restricted faculty licenses. Persons who have received full-time appointments to teach dentistry at an approved dental school or hospital situated in this State may receive without examination, in the discretion of the Department, a restricted faculty limited license. In order to receive a restricted faculty limited license an applicant shall furnish satisfactory proof to the Department that:

(1) The applicant is at least 21 years of age, is of good moral character and is licensed to practice dentistry in another state or country; and

(2) The applicant has a full-time appointment to teach dentistry at an approved dental school or hospital situated in this State.

Faculty limited Restricted faculty licenses issued under this Section shall be valid for a period of 3 years and may be extended or renewed. The holder of a valid restricted faculty limited license may perform acts as may be required by his or her teaching of dentistry. In addition, the holder of a restricted faculty limited license may practice general dentistry or in his or her area of specialty, but only in a clinic or office affiliated with the dental school. Any restricted faculty limited license issued to a faculty member under this Section shall terminate immediately and automatically, without any further action by the Department, if the holder ceases to be a faculty member at an approved dental school or hospital in this State.

The Department may revoke a restricted faculty limited license for a violation of this Act or its rules, or if the holder fails to supply the Department, within 10 days of its request, with information as to his current status and activities in his teaching program.

(e) Inactive status. Any person who holds one of the licenses under subsection (a) or (b) of Section 11 or under Section 12 of this Act may elect, upon payment of the required fee, to place his or her license on an inactive status and shall, subject to the rules of the Department, be excused from the payment of renewal fees until he or she notifies the Department in writing of his or her desire to resume active status.

Any licensee requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee and upon payment the Department shall be required to restore his or her license, as provided in Section 16 of this Act.

Any licensee whose license is in an inactive status shall not practice in the State of Illinois.

(f) Certificates of Identification. In addition to the licenses authorized by this Section, the Department shall deliver to each dentist a certificate of identification in a form specified by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 94-409, eff. 12-31-05.)

(225 ILCS 25/17) (from Ch. 111, par. 2317)

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

Sec. 17. Acts constituting the practice of dentistry. A person practices dentistry, within the meaning of this Act:

(1) Who represents himself or herself as being able to diagnose or diagnoses, treats, prescribes, or operates for any disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of the human tooth, teeth, alveolar process, gums or jaw; or

(2) Who is a manager, proprietor, operator or conductor of a business where dental operations are performed; or

(3) Who performs dental operations of any kind; or

(4) Who uses an X-Ray machine or X-Ray films for dental diagnostic purposes; or

(5) Who extracts a human tooth or teeth, or corrects or attempts to correct malpositions of the human teeth or jaws; or

(6) Who offers or undertakes, by any means or method, to diagnose, treat or remove stains, calculus, and bonding materials from human teeth or jaws; or

(7) Who uses or administers local or general anesthetics in the treatment of dental or oral diseases or in any preparation incident to a dental operation of any kind or character; or

(8) Who takes material or digital scans for final impressions of the human tooth, teeth, or jaws or performs any phase of any operation incident to the replacement of a part of a tooth, a tooth, teeth or associated tissues by means of a filling, crown, a bridge, a denture or other appliance; or

(9) Who offers to furnish, supply, construct, reproduce or repair, or who furnishes, supplies, constructs, reproduces or repairs, prosthetic dentures, bridges or other substitutes for natural teeth, to the user or prospective user thereof; or

(10) Who instructs students on clinical matters or performs any clinical operation included in the curricula of recognized dental schools and colleges; or

(11) Who takes material or digital scans for final impressions of human teeth or places his or her hands in the mouth of any person for the purpose of applying teeth whitening materials, or who takes impressions of human teeth or places his or her hands in the mouth of any person for the purpose of assisting in the application of teeth whitening materials. A person does not practice dentistry when he or she discloses to the consumer that he or she is not licensed as a dentist under this Act and (i) discusses the use of teeth whitening materials with a consumer purchasing these materials; (ii) provides instruction on the use of teeth whitening materials with a consumer purchasing these materials; or (iii) provides appropriate equipment on-site to the consumer for the consumer to self-apply teeth whitening materials.

The fact that any person engages in or performs, or offers to engage in or perform, any of the practices, acts, or operations set forth in this Section, shall be prima facie evidence that such person is engaged in the practice of dentistry.

The following practices, acts, and operations, however, are exempt from the operation of this Act:

(a) The rendering of dental relief in emergency cases in the practice of his or her profession by a physician or surgeon, licensed as such under the laws of this State, unless he or she undertakes to reproduce or reproduces lost parts of the human teeth in the mouth or to restore or replace lost or missing teeth in the mouth; or

(b) The practice of dentistry in the discharge of their official duties by dentists in any branch of the Armed Services of the United States, the United States Public Health Service, or the United States Veterans Administration; or

(c) The practice of dentistry by students in their course of study in dental schools or colleges approved by the Department, when acting under the direction and supervision of dentists acting as instructors; or

(d) The practice of dentistry by clinical instructors in the course of their teaching duties in dental schools or colleges approved by the Department:

(i) when acting under the direction and supervision of dentists, provided that such clinical instructors have instructed continuously in this State since January 1, 1986; or

(ii) when holding the rank of full professor at such approved dental school or college and possessing a current valid license or authorization to practice dentistry in another country; or

(e) The practice of dentistry by licensed dentists of other states or countries at meetings of the Illinois State Dental Society or component parts thereof, alumni meetings of dental colleges, or any other like dental organizations, while appearing as clinicians; or

(f) The use of X-Ray machines for exposing X-Ray films of dental or oral tissues by dental hygienists or dental assistants; or

(g) The performance of any dental service by a dental assistant, if such service is performed under the supervision and full responsibility of a dentist. In addition, after being authorized by a dentist, a dental assistant may, for the purpose of eliminating pain or discomfort, remove loose, broken, or irritating orthodontic appliances on a patient of record.

For purposes of this paragraph (g), "dental service" is defined to mean any intraoral procedure or act which shall be prescribed by rule or regulation of the Department. Dental service, however, shall not include:

(1) Any and all diagnosis of or prescription for treatment of disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury or physical condition of the human teeth or jaws, or adjacent structures.

(2) Removal of, or restoration of, or addition to the hard or soft tissues of the oral cavity, except for the placing, carving, and finishing of amalgam restorations and placing, packing, and finishing composite restorations by dental assistants who have had additional formal education and certification as determined by the Department.

A dental assistant may place, carve, and finish amalgam restorations, place, pack, and finish composite restorations, and place interim restorations if he or she has at least 4,000 hours of direct clinical patient care experience and has successfully completed a structured training program provided by: (A) an educational institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, such as a dental school or dental hygiene or dental assistant program, or (B) a statewide dental association, approved by the Department to provide continuing education, that has developed and conducted training programs for expanded functions for dental assistants or hygienists. The training program must: (i) include a minimum of 16 hours of didactic study and 14 hours of clinical manikin instruction; all training programs shall include areas of study in nomenclature, caries classifications, oral anatomy, periodontium, basic occlusion, instrumentations, pulp protection liners and bases, dental materials, matrix and wedge techniques, amalgam placement and carving, rubber dam clamp placement, and rubber dam placement and removal; (ii) include an outcome assessment examination that demonstrates competency; (iii) require the supervising dentist to observe and approve the completion of 8 amalgam or composite restorations; and (iv) issue a certificate of completion of the training program, which must be kept on file at the dental office and be made available to the Department upon request. A dental assistant must have successfully completed an approved coronal polishing and dental sealant course prior to taking the amalgam and composite restoration course.

A dentist utilizing dental assistants shall not supervise more than 4 dental assistants at any one time for placing, carving, and finishing of amalgam restorations or for placing, packing, and finishing composite restorations.

(3) Any and all correction of malformation of teeth or of the jaws.

(4) Administration of anesthetics, except for monitoring of nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, deep sedation, and general anesthetic as provided in Section 8.1 of this Act, that may be performed only after successful completion of a training program approved by the Department. A dentist utilizing dental assistants shall not supervise more than 4 dental assistants at any one time for the monitoring of nitrous oxide.

(5) Removal of calculus from human teeth.

(6) Taking of material or digital scans for final impressions for the fabrication of prosthetic appliances, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, or other restorative or replacement dentistry.

(7) The operative procedure of dental hygiene consisting of oral prophylactic procedures, except for coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealants, which may be performed by a dental assistant who has successfully completed a training program approved by the Department. Dental assistants may perform coronal polishing under the following circumstances: (i) the coronal polishing shall be limited to polishing the clinical crown of the tooth and existing restorations, supragingivally; (ii) the dental assistant performing the coronal polishing shall be limited to the use of rotary instruments using a rubber cup or brush polishing method (air polishing is not permitted); and (iii) the supervising dentist shall not supervise more than 4 dental assistants at any one time for the task of coronal polishing or pit and fissure sealants.

In addition to coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealants as described in this item (7), a dental assistant who has at least 2,000 hours of direct clinical patient care experience and who has successfully completed a structured training program provided by (1) an educational institution such as a dental school or dental hygiene or dental assistant program, or (2) by a statewide dental or dental hygienist association, approved by the Department on or before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly, that has developed and conducted a training program for expanded functions for dental assistants or hygienists may perform: (A) coronal scaling above the gum line, supragingivally, on the clinical crown of the tooth only on patients 12 years of age or younger who have an absence of periodontal disease and who are not medically compromised or individuals with special needs and (B) intracoronal temporization of a tooth. The training program must: (I) include a minimum of 16 hours of instruction in both didactic and clinical manikin or human subject instruction; all training programs shall include areas of study in dental anatomy, public health dentistry, medical history, dental emergencies, and managing the pediatric patient; (II) include an outcome assessment examination that demonstrates competency; (III) require the supervising dentist to observe and approve the completion of 6 full mouth supragingival scaling procedures; and (IV) issue a certificate of completion of the training program, which must be kept on file at the dental office and be made available to the Department upon request. A dental assistant must have successfully completed an approved coronal polishing course prior to taking the coronal scaling course. A dental assistant performing these functions shall be limited to the use of hand instruments only. In addition, coronal scaling as described in this paragraph shall only be utilized on patients who are eligible for Medicaid or who are uninsured and whose household income is not greater than 200% of the federal poverty level. A dentist may not supervise more than 2 dental assistants at any one time for the task of coronal scaling. This paragraph is inoperative on and after January 1, 2021.

The limitations on the number of dental assistants a dentist may supervise contained in items (2), (4), and (7) of this paragraph (g) mean a limit of 4 total dental assistants or dental hygienists doing expanded functions covered by these Sections being supervised by one dentist.

(h) The practice of dentistry by an individual who:

(i) has applied in writing to the Department, in form and substance satisfactory to the Department, for a general dental license and has complied with all provisions of Section 9 of this Act, except for the passage of the examination specified in subsection (e) of Section 9 of this Act; or

(ii) has applied in writing to the Department, in form and substance satisfactory to the Department, for a temporary dental license and has complied with all provisions of subsection (c) of Section 11 of this Act; and

(iii) has been accepted or appointed for specialty or residency training by a hospital situated in this State; or

(iv) has been accepted or appointed for specialty training in an approved dental program situated in this State; or

(v) has been accepted or appointed for specialty training in a dental public health agency situated in this State.

The applicant shall be permitted to practice dentistry for a period of 3 months from the starting date of the program, unless authorized in writing by the Department to continue such practice for a period specified in writing by the Department.

The applicant shall only be entitled to perform such acts as may be prescribed by and incidental to his or her program of residency or specialty training and shall not otherwise engage in the practice of dentistry in this State.

The authority to practice shall terminate immediately upon:

(1) the decision of the Department that the applicant has failed the examination; or

(2) denial of licensure by the Department; or

(3) withdrawal of the application.

(Source: P.A. 99-492, eff. 12-31-15; 99-680, eff. 1-1-17; 100-215, eff. 1-1-18.)

(225 ILCS 25/17.1)

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

Sec. 17.1. Expanded function dental assistants.

(a) A dental assistant who has completed training as provided in subsection (b) of this Section in all of the following areas may hold himself or herself out as an expanded function dental assistant:

(1) Taking material or digital scans for final impressions after completing a training program that includes either didactic objectives or clinical skills and functions that demonstrate competency.

(2) Performing pulp vitality test after completing a training program that includes either didactic objectives or clinical skills and functions that demonstrate competency.

(3) Placing, carving, and finishing of amalgam restorations and placing, packing, and finishing composite restorations as allowed under Section 17.

(4) Starting the flow of oxygen and monitoring of nitrous oxide-oxygen analgesia as allowed under Section 17.

(5) Coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealants, as currently allowed under Section 17 by law.

All procedures listed in paragraphs (1) through (5) for dental assistants must be performed under the supervision of a dentist, requiring the dentist authorizes the procedure, remains in the dental facility while the procedure is performed, and approves the work performed by the dental assistant before dismissal of the patient, but the dentist is not required to be present at all times in the treatment room.

After the completion of training as provided in subsection (b) of this Section, an expanded function dental assistant may perform any of the services listed in this subsection (a) pursuant to the limitations of this Act.

(b) Certification and training as an expanded function dental assistant must be obtained from one of the following sources: (i) an approved continuing education sponsor; (ii) a dental assistant training program approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association; or (iii) a training program approved by the Department.

Training required under this subsection (b) must also include Basic Life Support certification, as described in Section 16 of this Act. Proof of current certification shall be kept on file with the supervising dentist.

(c) Any procedures listed in subsection (a) that are performed by an expanded function dental assistant must be approved by the supervising dentist and examined prior to dismissal of the patient. The supervising dentist shall be responsible for all dental services or procedures performed by the dental assistant.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to alter the number of dental assistants that a dentist may supervise under paragraph (g) of Section 17 of this Act.

(e) Nothing in this Act shall: (1) require a dental assistant to be certified as an expanded function dental assistant or (2) prevent a dentist from training dental assistants in accordance with the provisions of Section 17 of this Act or rules pertaining to dental assistant duties.

(Source: P.A. 100-215, eff. 1-1-18.)

(225 ILCS 25/18) (from Ch. 111, par. 2318)

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

Sec. 18. Acts constituting the practice of dental hygiene; limitations.

(a) A person practices dental hygiene within the meaning of this Act when he or she performs the following acts under the supervision of a dentist:

(i) the operative procedure of dental hygiene, consisting of oral prophylactic procedures;

(ii) the exposure and processing of X-Ray films of the teeth and surrounding structures;

(iii) the application to the surfaces of the teeth or gums of chemical compounds designed to be desensitizing agents or effective agents in the prevention of dental caries or periodontal disease;

(iv) all services which may be performed by a dental assistant as specified by rule pursuant to Section 17, and a dental hygienist may engage in the placing, carving, and finishing of amalgam restorations only after obtaining formal education and certification as determined by the Department;

(v) administration and monitoring of nitrous oxide upon successful completion of a training program approved by the Department;

(vi) administration of local anesthetics upon successful completion of a training program approved by the Department; and

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

(b) A dental hygienist may be employed or engaged only:

(1) by a dentist;

(2) by a federal, State, county, or municipal agency or institution;

(3) by a public or private school; or

(4) by a public clinic operating under the direction of a hospital or federal, State, county, municipal, or other public agency or institution.

(c) When employed or engaged in the office of a dentist, a dental hygienist may perform, under general supervision, those procedures found in items (i) through (iv) of subsection (a) of this Section, provided the patient has been examined by the dentist within one year of the provision of dental hygiene services, the dentist has approved the dental hygiene services by a notation in the patient's record and the patient has been notified that the dentist may be out of the office during the provision of dental hygiene services.

(d) If a patient of record is unable to travel to a dental office because of illness, infirmity, or imprisonment, a dental hygienist may perform, under the general supervision of a dentist, those procedures found in items (i) through (iv) of subsection (a) of this Section, provided the patient is located in a long-term care facility licensed by the State of Illinois, a mental health or developmental disability facility, or a State or federal prison. The dentist shall personally examine and diagnose the patient and determine which services are necessary to be performed, which shall be contained in an order to the hygienist and a notation in the patient's record. Such order must be implemented within 120 days of its issuance, and an updated medical history and observation of oral conditions must be performed by the hygienist immediately prior to beginning the procedures to ensure that the patient's health has not changed in any manner to warrant a reexamination by the dentist.

(e) School-based oral health care, consisting of and limited to oral prophylactic procedures, sealants, and fluoride treatments, may be provided by a dental hygienist under the general supervision of a dentist. A dental hygienist may not provide other dental hygiene treatment in a school-based setting, including but not limited to administration or monitoring of nitrous oxide or administration of local anesthetics. The school-based procedures may be performed provided the patient is located at a public or private school and the program is being conducted by a State, county or local public health department initiative or in conjunction with a dental school or dental hygiene program. The dentist shall personally examine and diagnose the patient and determine which services are necessary to be performed, which shall be contained in an order to the hygienist and a notation in the patient's record. Any such order for sealants must be implemented within 120 days after its issuance. Any such order for oral prophylactic procedures or fluoride treatments must be implemented within 180 days after its issuance. An updated medical history and observation of oral conditions must be performed by the hygienist immediately prior to beginning the procedures to ensure that the patient's health has not changed in any manner to warrant a reexamination by the dentist.

(f) Without the supervision of a dentist, a dental hygienist may perform dental health education functions and may record case histories and oral conditions observed.

(g) The number of dental hygienists practicing in a dental office shall not exceed, at any one time, 4 times the number of dentists practicing in the office at the time.

(h) A dental hygienist who is certified as a public health dental hygienist may provide services to patients: (1) who are eligible for Medicaid or (2) who are uninsured and whose household income is not greater than 200% of the federal poverty level. A public health dental hygienist may perform oral assessments, perform screenings, and provide educational and preventative services as provided in subsection (b) of Section 18.1 of this Act. The public health dental hygienist may not administer local anesthesia or nitrous oxide, or place, carve, or finish amalgam restorations or provide periodontal therapy under this exception. Each patient must sign a consent form that acknowledges that the care received does not take the place of a regular dental examination. The public health dental hygienist must provide the patient or guardian a written referral to a dentist for assessment of the need for further dental care at the time of treatment. Any indication or observation of a condition that could warrant the need for urgent attention must be reported immediately to the supervising dentist for appropriate assessment and treatment.

This subsection (h) is inoperative on and after January 1, 2021.

(i) A dental hygienist performing procedures listed in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) of Section 17.1 must be under the supervision of a dentist, requiring the dentist authorizes the procedure, remains in the dental facility while the procedure is performed, and approves the work performed by the dental hygienist before dismissal of the patient, but the dentist is not required to be present at all times in the treatment room.

(j) A dental hygienist may perform actions described in paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 17.1 under the general supervision of a dentist as described in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-492, eff. 12-31-15.)