Bill Text: IL HR0039 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizes the important role that dental hygienists and assistants play in maintaining oral health. Urges the Illinois Community College Board to incentivize the dental hygienists programs throughout the community colleges.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-03-28 - Resolution Adopted [HR0039 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0039-Introduced.html

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HR0039 LRB103 29645 MST 56042 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Nearly everyone who visits the dentist's office
is familiar with the role of the dental hygienist; a hygienist
performs the deep clean of your teeth, flags trouble spots
that could become cavities, reviews how diet can affect the
health of your mouth, and much more; a dental hygienist works
with a patient to prepare them for an appearance before the
dentist; and
WHEREAS, The work of a dental hygienist helps prevent
tooth decay and helps maintain a patient's oral health; the
importance of having hygienists on staff cannot be
understated; and
WHEREAS, A good dental hygienist eases the dentist's
burden, freeing the dentist to perform more advanced
procedures; and
WHEREAS, Across the country, employers are still
struggling to fill certain jobs; that is especially true for
dentists trying to hire hygienists and other support staff; in
addition, many patients are just now returning to the dentist
after a long pandemic break, and they are finding it difficult
to schedule an appointment; and

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WHEREAS, A poll by the American Dental Association shows
that nearly 40% of dentists are trying to recruit hygienists;
of those, 95% say it has been extremely or very difficult to
hire someone; in the 20 largest U.S. cities, the American
Dental Association's polling reveals that only half of
hygienist positions are reported as filled; and
WHEREAS, More than 80% of dentists that are recruiting
dental hygienists are raising salaries; some are also offering
more flexible working hours in an attempt to attract qualified
candidates; and
WHEREAS, Staffing shortages have brought greater
appreciation for the services of dental hygienists and
assistants; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we recognize the important role that dental hygienists and
assistants play in maintaining oral health; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge the Illinois Community College
Board to incentivize the dental hygienists programs throughout
the community colleges; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be

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presented to the Illinois Dental Hygienists' Association, the
Illinois State Dental Society, and the Illinois Community
College Board.