Illinois Dental Assistant Requirements

Dental Assistant qualified in expanded functions requirements

To perform expanded functions under the supervision of a licensed dentist in Illinois, a dental assistant must meet state requirements for each of the desired expanded functions, as outlined below.

To qualify to perform coronal scaling and intracoronal temporization of a tooth* under the supervision of a dentist, a dental assistant must:

1. Have at least 2,000 hours of direct clinical and patient care experience,

AND

2. Successfully complete an approved coronal polishing course prior to taking coronal scaling course

AND

3. Successfully complete a structured training program in coronal scaling and intracoronal temporization of a tooth provided by an educational institution (such as a dental school or a dental hygiene or dental assisting program), an approved CE provider, or by a statewide dental or dental hygienist association approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) that includes the following:

a. minimum 32 hours of didactic and clinical manikin or human subject instruction covering specified content,
b. an outcome assessment examination that demonstrates competency,
c. completion of 6 full-mouth scaling procedures under the observation and with approval of the supervising dentist (if training not from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program),
d. issuance of a certificate of completion (which must be kept on file at the dental office).

To place, carve and finish amalgam restorations; place, pack and finish composite restorations; and place interim restorations under the direct supervision of a dentist, a dental assistant must:

1. Have at least 4,000 hours of clinical patient care experience, AND

2. Pass approved coronal polishing course and approved dental sealants course (prior to taking restorative training program), AND

3. Successfully complete a structured training program meeting the requirements outlined in statute and provided by (a.) an educational institution accredited by CODA, or (b.) a statewide dental association approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), AND

4. Maintain on file at the dental office the certificate of completion of the required training program, which must be made available to IDFPR upon request

To perform coronal polishing, place pit and fissure sealants, monitor patients under nitrous oxide, or monitor patients under sedation, a dental assistant must: 

1. Be at least 18 years of age 

AND 

2a. Complete 1,000 hours of clinical dental assisting experience 

or 

2b. Complete a CODA-accredited dental assisting program 

or 

2c. Hold a current national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, 

AND
3a. Complete an Illinois Board-approved course relative to the expanded function in question, subject to specific didactic and clinical requirements 

or 

3b. Provide proof of completion of an Illinois Board-approved dental assisting program that contained the expanded function in the curriculum

Note: In addition to the above requirements, in order to monitor patients while nitrous oxide is being administered and to monitor patients under minimal, moderate or deep sedation, or under general anesthesia, dental assistants must maintain basic life support certification intended for healthcare providers (BLS) that includes evaluation of hands-on skills and a written exam.