ME LD1891

Establishes the Dentists for Maine's Future Scholarship Program providing tuition subsidies of 50% of attendance costs, up to $25,000 per student annually, for dental students who commit to practicing in extreme shortage areas (13 specified Maine counties including Aroostook, Penobscot, Kennebec, and others)

Creates the Extreme Shortage Area Dental Education Loan Program offering up to $25,000 per year for up to 4 years to Maine residents studying dentistry, dental hygiene, dental therapy, or dental assisting who agree to serve in shortage areas

Loan recipients practicing in extreme shortage areas receive 25% forgiveness of their original debt for each year of service; those who don't fulfill service commitments must repay principal plus interest over up to 10 years

Expands the existing Dental Care Access Tax Credit to include dental hygienists (previously dentists only), with credits ranging from $6,000 in year one to $18,000 in year five for practitioners committing to 5 years of full-time work in shortage areas

Extends the Dental Care Access Tax Credit repeal date from December 31, 2027 to December 31, 2032, and increases annual certification limits to 10 eligible dentists and 10 eligible dental hygienists beginning in 2025