MN HF4375

Commissioner of health shall establish a grant and forgivable loan program for accredited dental assisting and dental hygiene higher education programs to expand student enrollment capacity.

Eligible projects include expanding or improving clinic infrastructure, creating new clinics, improving classrooms, creating student scholarships, improving faculty and staff salaries, obtaining equipment and educational resources, and addressing other applicant-identified needs.

Commissioner shall prioritize programs with the highest potential to increase student capacity and shall not demonstrate preference between dental hygiene and dental assisting programs.

Higher education institutions with both dental hygiene and dental assisting programs may submit one joint application for grants and forgivable loans.

$20,000,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2024 for the program, available until June 30, 2026.