The practice of dentistry in the State of Illinois is hereby declared to affect the public health, safety and welfare and to be subject to regulation and control in the public interest. It is further declared to be a matter of public interest and concern that the dental profession merit and receive the confidence of the public and that only qualified persons be permitted to practice dentistry in the State of Illinois. Despite the authority granted under this Act allowing dentists to delegate the performance of certain procedures to dental hygienists and dental assistants, nothing contained in this Act shall be construed in any way to relieve the supervising dentist from ultimate responsibility for the care of his or her patient. This Act shall be liberally construed to carry out these objects and purposes.
     It is further declared to be the public policy of this State, pursuant to subsections (h) and (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, that any power or function set forth in this Act to be exercised by the State is an exclusive State power or function. Such power or function shall not be exercised concurrently, either directly or indirectly, by any unit of local government, including home rule units, except as otherwise provided in this Act.