On March 19, 2025, the Illinois House of Representatives introduced House Bill 3019, a legislative proposal aimed at expanding the scope of practice for dental assistants in the state. This bill seeks to address the growing demand for dental care, particularly among underserved populations, by allowing qualified dental assistants to perform specific procedures under certain conditions.

The primary provisions of House Bill 3019 enable dental assistants with at least 2,000 hours of direct clinical patient care experience and completion of an approved training program to perform coronal scaling and intracoronal temporization. Coronal scaling, which involves cleaning above the gum line, is restricted to patients aged 17 and younger who do not have periodontal disease and are not medically compromised. Additionally, the bill stipulates that these procedures can only be performed on patients eligible for Medicaid, uninsured individuals, or those with household incomes not exceeding 300% of the federal poverty level.

To ensure competency, the training program mandated by the bill includes a minimum of 32 hours of instruction covering dental anatomy, public health dentistry, and emergency management, among other topics. Furthermore, dental assistants must complete an approved coronal polishing course before undertaking coronal scaling. The bill also limits the number of dental assistants a dentist can supervise during these procedures to two at a time.

The introduction of House Bill 3019 has sparked notable discussions among stakeholders in the dental community. Proponents argue that the bill will enhance access to dental care for low-income families and alleviate the burden on dentists, particularly in rural areas where dental professionals are scarce. However, some dental hygienists and professional associations have expressed concerns about the potential dilution of care quality and the adequacy of training for dental assistants performing these tasks.

The economic implications of this bill could be significant, as it may lead to increased efficiency in dental practices and improved patient outcomes for underserved populations. However, the bill's provisions are set to become inoperative after January 1, 2026, unless further legislative action is taken, raising questions about its long-term viability and the potential need for ongoing evaluation of its impact.

As House Bill 3019 moves through the legislative process, its outcomes will be closely monitored by dental professionals, patients, and policymakers alike, highlighting the ongoing conversation about the future of dental care in Illinois and the role of dental assistants in meeting community health needs.