MN HF4479

Establishes a rural dental professional loan forgiveness program administered by the commissioner of health to support recruitment and retention of dental professionals in rural areas.

Defines eligible rural critical access dental providers as those located outside the seven-county metropolitan area and five specified cities (Duluth, Mankato, Moorhead, Rochester, St. Cloud) where at least 50 percent of yearly patient encounters serve uninsured or medical assistance/MinnesotaCare-covered patients.

Provides annual loan forgiveness payments to eligible employees with a minimum five-year service commitment: advanced dental therapist ($14,000), dental assistant ($2,400), dental hygienist ($6,000), dentist ($40,000), and pediatric dentist ($60,000).

Requires employees who fail to meet the five-year service commitment to repay all loan forgiveness payments plus interest, with provisions allowing the commissioner to waive repayment for emergency circumstances.

Appropriates an unspecified amount from the general fund in fiscal year 2025 to the commissioner of health for program implementation.