These Illinois skill standards for dental assistant are intended to serve as a guide to workforce preparation program providers as they define content for their programs and to employers as the establish the skills and standards necessary for job acquisition. They could also serve as a mechanism for communication among education, business, industry, and labor. An introduction provides a sample format and occupational earnings and employment information. Each skill standard contains these components: performance area; coding that identifies the state, fiscal year in which the standard was endorsed, subcouncil abbreviation, cluster abbreviation, and standard number; conditions of performance; work to be performed; performance criteria; performance elements; and performance assessment criteria, including product and process. The 112 skill standards are categorized into these 15 areas: infection control (17 standards); patient/client preparation (9); basic chairside functions (7); advanced chairside functions (10); expanded chairside functions (3); preventive procedures (8); dental imaging (13); restorative procedures (2); prosthodontics (8); endodontics (4); oral and maxillofacial surgery (7); orthodontics (7); instrument maintenance (9); communication (3); and management functions (5). (YLB)