AL SB203

Establishes the Alabama Dental Service Program under the Board of Dental Scholarship Awards, funded by direct appropriation from the Education Trust Fund.

Program participants receive loans up to annual in-state tuition costs at University of Alabama School of Dentistry and must repay through full-time clinical practice as licensed dentists in designated areas of critical need for 12-18 months depending on Medicaid patient percentages.

Defines "areas of critical need" as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (Dental HPSA) recognized by federal Health Resources and Services Administration with a minimum HPSA score of 18, or federally qualified health centers meeting the same score threshold.

Participants must participate in the state Medicaid program and may reduce required service time from 18 months to 15 months (if 20% of patients are indigent/Medicaid-covered) or 12 months (if 30% of patients are indigent/Medicaid-covered).

Breach of contract penalties range from 20% to 100% of total loan principal depending on when the breach occurs, and breach may result in revocation of dental license in Alabama.