AB 2485 Summary

• Renames the "Dental Corps Loan Repayment Program of 2002" to the "California Dental Corps Loan Repayment Program" and revises eligibility, application, and placement requirements.

• Requires applicants to be licensed dentists or near-graduates from accredited dental programs and to document all educational loan obligations and any defaulted debts from the past 10 years.

• Prioritizes applicants who speak Medi-Cal threshold languages, come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, have experience in underserved areas, or are dental specialists.

• Requires program participants to work full-time (minimum 30 clinical hours per week for 45 weeks per year) in eligible practice settings serving dentally underserved areas or populations for a mandatory 36-month commitment.

• Provides loan repayment of up to $35,000 annually for three years (maximum $105,000 per dentist) and requires the board to develop a process for loan repayment if participants terminate early or fail to complete their service obligation.