Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. In provisions concerning teledentistry, provides that an initial examination for new patients, excluding patients seeking orthodontic treatment, may be conducted through teledentistry if the authorizing dentist establishes a bona fide dentist-patient relationship by reviewing the patient's medical and dental history and verifying both the patient's identity and physical location to ensure that dental care is being administered within the State. Provides that an initial examination for orthodontia treatment shall be performed in person only. Requires an in-person clinical examination to be performed immediately before providing or authorizing services or treatments to patients that are not reversible. Provides that, for ongoing dentist-patient relationships, dentists shall strongly encourage patients to be seen in person at least annually. Makes other changes.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Makes changes concerning the definition of "patient of record", both for the Act and for the provisions concerning teledentistry. Defines "synchronous". Specifies that a dentist may delegate dental services using teledentistry to an Illinois-licensed dental hygienist. Provides that a dental hygienist may perform oral prophylaxis procedures; may apply fluoride treatments, but not any product used for the remineralization of teeth, including, but not limited to, silver diamine fluoride; and may process x-rays, as ordered by the supervising dentist, on a patient of record if an Illinois-licensed dentist has examined, diagnosed, and authorized such procedures using synchronous systems. Provides that a person is limited to 2 oral prophylaxis procedures performed by a licensed dental hygienist using teledentistry until an in-person examination by a licensed dentist has been completed. Provides that local anesthetics and nitrous oxide may not be used during an oral prophylaxis procedure in a teledentistry service by a dental hygienist. Sets forth requirements for the informed consent form. Provides that an initial screening may only be provided using teledentistry by an Illinois-licensed dentist to assess suitability of the patient for treatment at a dental facility or for certain conditions that present immediate harm or discomfort to the patient for which treatment cannot be postponed. Provides that a provider of dental services rendering care or providing a screening through teledentistry (instead of rendering emergent care or conducting an initial consultation through teledentistry) must direct the patient to receive appropriate in-person care after the provision of teledentistry services. Provides that an initial examination may be provided using teledentistry but shall only be conducted for the purpose of providing a consultation for specific services or for treating or assessing acute pain, infection, injury, or any intraoral or perioral condition that presents immediate harm or discomfort that cannot be postponed. Provides that an initial examination for new patients, excluding patients seeking orthodontic, sleep apnea, or snoring treatment or the functional and cosmetic replacement or treatment of teeth, may be conducted through teledentistry. Provides that an initial examination for orthodontia, sleep apnea, or snoring treatment or the functional and cosmetic replacement or treatment of teeth shall be performed in person only. Provides that in-person clinical examination shall be performed immediately before providing or authorizing services or treatments to patients that are not reversible or that otherwise result in an increased risk to the patient. Provides that, for ongoing dentist-patient relationships, dentists shall direct patients to be seen in person at least annually. Provides that nothing in the provisions shall be construed to expand the scope of practice for dental hygienists or establish independent hygiene practice. Makes other changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 225 ILCS 25/4, 225 ILCS 25/17