IL HB0500

Delays sunset (repeal) of the Illinois Dental Practice Act from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2026.

Establishes "public health dental hygienist" classification for hygienists with 2 years of full-time clinical experience or 4,000 hours who complete 72 hours of specialized public health coursework and work in federally qualified health centers, Head Start, WIC facilities, or certified school-based oral health programs.

Allows public health dental hygienists to treat Medicaid-eligible patients or uninsured patients earning up to 200% of federal poverty level without dentist presence, under written "public health supervision" agreements with a dentist.

Extends the statute of limitations for disciplinary proceedings against dentists and dental hygienists from 5 years to 7 years after the incident (with 5-year limit from complaint receipt).

Adds coronal scaling procedures for experienced dental assistants (2,000+ hours) on pediatric patients under certain conditions, effective until January 1, 2021; includes new provisions requiring Board chairman and vice-chairman to both be dentists.