FL S0344

Establishes the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program to encourage dentists to practice in medically underserved areas or public health programs serving Medicaid and low-income patients in Florida.

Defines medically underserved areas as health professional shortage areas with a shortage of dental professionals, and public health programs as county health departments, Children's Medical Services, federally funded community or migrant health centers, and other designated programs.

Department of Health shall develop the program in cooperation with University of Florida College of Dentistry, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Dental Medicine, and the Florida Dental Association.

Participants may receive loan repayment funds for a minimum of 1 year up to a maximum of 4 years, with service period beginning when the dentist is employed in an underserved area or public health program.

Failure to comply with program requirements results in ineligibility for license renewal; dentists unable to participate due to disability must repay the actual financial assistance received, with penalties deposited back into the program.