Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB3265

LRB104 18959 AAS 32404 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3265

Introduced 2/3/2026, by Sen. Mattie Hunter

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 25/4
225 ILCS 25/18

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that "community health center" means a migrant health center, community health center, health care program for the homeless or for residents of public housing supported under the federal Public Health Service Act, or FQHC, including an FQHC Look-Alike, as designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that operates at least one federally designated primary health care delivery site in Illinois. Provides that "physician" means a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine in all of its branches and does not include a chiropractic physician. In provisions concerning acts constituting the practice of dental hygiene, provides that a public health dental hygienist may not administer local anesthesia except as provided in the amendatory provisions. Provides that a dental hygienist practicing in a community health center may administer local anesthetics upon the successful completion of a training program approved by the Department and under the general supervision of a dentist as long as the community health center: (i) has adopted written policies and procedures establishing supervision by a dentist or physician at the time the local anesthetics are administered, and (ii) ensures that a dentist or physician is physically present in the clinic at the time the local anesthetics are administered.

A BILL FOR

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 and 18 as follows:

(225 ILCS 25/4)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031)

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.

"Email address of record" means the designated email address recorded by the Department in the applicant's application file or the licensee's license file, as maintained by the Department's licensure maintenance unit.

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

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

"Board" means the Board of Dentistry.

"Community health center" means a migrant health center, community health center, health care program for the homeless or for residents of public housing supported under Section 330 of the federal Public Health Service Act, or FQHC, including an FQHC Look-Alike, as designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that operates at least one federally designated primary health care delivery site in Illinois.

"Dentist" means a person who has received a general license pursuant to subsection (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.

"Physician" means a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine in all of its branches. "Physician" does not include a chiropractic physician.

"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, dental anesthesiology, oral and maxillofacial pathology, dental public health, oral medicine, and orofacial pain.

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

"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 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 dentist's authority as provided under this Act.

"Moderate sedation" means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which: (1) patients respond purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation; (2) no interventions are required to maintain a patient's airway and spontaneous ventilation is adequate; and (3) cardiovascular function is usually maintained.

"Deep sedation" means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which: (1) patients cannot be easily aroused, but respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation; (2) the ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired; (3) patients may require assistance in maintaining airways and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate; and (4) cardiovascular function is usually maintained.

"General anesthesia" means a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which: (1) patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation; (2) the ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired; (3) patients often require assistance in maintaining airways and positive pressure ventilation may be required because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function; and (4) cardiovascular function may be impaired.

"Venipuncture" means the puncture of a vein as part of a medical procedure, typically to withdraw a blood sample or for an intravenous catheter for the administration of medication or fluids.

"Enteral route of administration" means administration of a drug that is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract or through oral, rectal, or sublingual mucosa.

"Parenteral route of administration" means administration of a drug by which the drug bypasses the gastrointestinal tract through intramuscular, intravenous, intranasal, submucosal, subcutaneous, or intraosseous methods.

(Source: P.A. 103-425, eff. 1-1-24; 103-431, eff. 1-1-24; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24; 103-628, eff. 7-1-24; 103-902, eff. 8-9-24; 104-103, eff. 8-1-25; 104-151, eff. 1-1-26; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25; revised 9-15-25.)

(225 ILCS 25/18)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031)

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

(a) A person practices dental hygiene within the meaning of this Act when the person 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 either personally examine and diagnose the patient or utilize approved teledentistry communication methods 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 45 days of its issuance; except when a patient is located within a State or federal prison, then the order must be implemented within 180 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, including instruction in proper oral health care and dental hygiene in, for example, a school setting, a long-term care facility, and a health fair. In addition, a dental hygienist may record case histories and oral conditions observed at any time prior to a clinical exam by a dentist.

(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 300% 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. A public health dental hygienist may not administer local anesthesia except as provided in subsection (k) of this Section. 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.

(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.

(k) A dental hygienist practicing in a community health center may administer local anesthetics upon the successful completion of a training program approved by the Department and under the general supervision of a dentist as long as the community health center:

(1) has adopted written policies and procedures establishing supervision by a dentist or physician at the time the local anesthetics are administered; and

(2) ensures that a dentist or physician is physically present in the clinic at the time the local anesthetics are administered.

(Source: P.A. 103-431, eff. 1-1-24; 104-103, eff. 8-1-25; 104-151, eff. 1-1-26; revised 11-21-25.)