To qualify to perform coronal scaling 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. d. Issuance of a certificate of completion (which must be kept on file at the dental office).

The Course is both online and hands-on (3 days).

Dental assistants can only coronal scale supragingival on children younger than 17 who 1) do not have periodontal disease, 2) are not in ill health or have special needs, and 3) have a household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

The dental assistant is limited to the use of hand instruments.