Section 225 ILCS 25/38.2 - [Section Scheduled to be Repealed 1/1/2026] Death Or Incapacitation Of Dentist(a) The executor or administrator of a dentist's estate or the legal guardian or authorized representative of a dentist who has become incapacitated may contract with another dentist or dentists to continue the operations of the deceased or incapacitated dentist's practice (if the practice of the deceased or incapacitated dentist is a sole proprietorship, a corporation where the deceased or incapacitated dentist is the sole shareholder, or a limited liability company where the deceased or incapacitated dentist is the sole member) for a period of one year from the time of death or incapacitation of the dentist or until the practice is sold, whichever occurs first, if all the following conditions are met:(1) The executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative executes and files with the Department a notification of death or incapacitation on a form provided by the Department, which notification shall include the following: (A) the name and license number of the deceased or incapacitated dentist;(B) the name and address of the dental practice;(C) the name, address, and tax identification number of the estate;(D) the name and license number of each dentist who will operate the dental practice; and(E) an affirmation, under penalty of perjury, that the information provided is true and correct and that the executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative understands that any interference by the executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative or any agent or assignee of the executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative with the contracting dentist's or dentists' practice of dentistry or professional judgment or any other violation of this Section is grounds for an immediate termination of the operations of the dental practice.(2) Within 30 days after the death or incapacitation of a dentist, the executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative shall send notification of the death or incapacitation by mail to the last known address of each patient of record that has seen the deceased or incapacitated dentist within the previous 12 months, with an explanation of how copies of the practitioner's records may be obtained. This notice may also contain any other relevant information concerning the continuation of the dental practice. Continuation of the operations of the dental practice of a deceased or incapacitated dentist shall not begin until the provisions of this subsection (a) have been met.
If the practice is not sold within the initial one-year period, the provision described in subsection (a) may be extended for additional 12-month periods by the Department. However, if the extension is approved, the extension shall not exceed 3 additional 12-month periods. Each extension must be granted prior to the expiration date of the prior extension and must be accompanied by a petition detailing the reasons for the extension that must be kept on file by the Department.
(b) The Secretary may terminate the operations of a dental practice operating pursuant to this Section if the Department has evidence of a violation of this Section or Section 23 or 24 of this Act. The Secretary must conduct a hearing before terminating the operations of a dental practice operating pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before the hearing date, the Department (i) must notify, in writing, the executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative at the address provided, pursuant to item (C) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this Section, and to the contracting dentist or dentists at the address of the dental practice provided pursuant to item (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this Section, of any charges made and of the time and place of the hearing on the charges before the Secretary or hearing officer, as provided in Section 30 of this Act, (ii) direct the executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative to file his or her written answer to such charges with the Secretary under oath within 10 days after the service on the executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative of the notice, and (iii) inform the executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative that if he or she fails to file such answer, a default judgment will be entered against him or her and the operations of the dental practice shall be terminated.(c) If the Secretary finds that evidence in his or her possession indicates that a violation of this Section or Section 23 or 24 of this Act constitutes an immediate threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, the Secretary may immediately terminate the operations of the dental practice without a hearing. Upon service by certified mail to the executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative, at the address provided pursuant to item (C) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this Section, and the contracting dentist or dentists, at the address of the dental practice provided pursuant to item (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this Section, of notice of an order immediately terminating the operations of the dental practice, the executor, administrator, guardian, or authorized representative may petition the Department within 30 days for a hearing to take place within 30 days after the petition is filed.(d) The Department may require, by rule, the submission to the Department of any additional information necessary for the administration of this Section.Amended by P.A. 101-0162,§ 5, eff. 7/26/2019.Added by P.A. 094-1028, § 5, eff. 1/1/2007.