If you’re looking to enter the field of dentistry as a dental hygienist, Illinois requires completing specific training and meeting the requirements set by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
If you have a past criminal conviction, that process can get complicated quickly.
The IDFPR may send you a Deficiency Checklist asking you to provide information about your conviction as part of the application review. Knowing how to respond and when to involve an attorney can make the difference between approval and denial.
[Related: Your Illinois Medical License and Your Criminal Record]
What Triggers an IDFPR Deficiency Checklist for Dental Hygienists?
Receiving a Deficiency Checklist from the IDFPR doesn’t mean your application has been denied. It means the IDFPR needs more information before it can proceed. Not responding does put your application in jeopardy.
Under the Illinois Dental Practice Act, the IDFPR may issue a Deficiency Checklist if you’ve been found guilty of any of the following:
- A felony
- A misdemeanor in which dishonesty is an essential element
- A crime directly related to the practice of dental hygiene
Being convicted of one of these doesn’t automatically bar you from obtaining your license. However, you should have disclosed the conviction on your initial application.
What Convictions Will the IDFPR Not Consider?
Not every criminal record will affect your dental hygienist license application. The IDFPR will not consider the following convictions when evaluating your application:
- Cannabis possession or sale
- Traffic offenses, except DUI or reckless homicide
- Trespassing
- Vandalism
If your conviction falls outside these categories, you may still have a viable path to licensure. How you respond to the Deficiency Checklist matters significantly.
[Related: How Certain Criminal Arrests Can Affect Your Illinois Professional License]
Protect Your Dental Hygienist License Application With Williams & Nickl
If you’ve received a Deficiency Checklist from the IDFPR, do not wait, and do not respond alone. By waiting too long or attempting to respond without legal guidance, you risk undermining all your hard work.
At Williams & Nickl, our attorneys have experience helping dental hygienist license applicants navigate the IDFPR review process. Where necessary, we can draft a letter of response that answers the IDFPR’s questions and makes the case for why the board should approve your license.
We also assist current dental hygienists facing disciplinary action.
Contact us online or call 312-335-9470 for a free, confidential 1-hour consultation.
See our case results and testimonials, and learn how we’ve helped Illinois healthcare professionals defend and obtain their licenses.