TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) — A House healthcare panel is moving forward with a bill that would allow Florida dentists to qualify for up to $250,000 in student loan repayments.
That's if they agree to work in public health programs or underserved areas.
The legislation would establish the loan repayment program at the Florida Department of Health.
Loan repayments would be available to dentists who are willing to practice in public health or in areas of the state that lack dental professionals or are medically underserved.
"That bill would encourage and incentivize dentists to go into underserved areas, and work as a full-time Medicaid provider to treat those in these underserved areas. They would work in county health departments and community health centers," said Joe Anne Hart with the Florida Dental Association.
The bills would limit the number of dentists who could benefit each year under the program to 10.
Dentists could qualify for as much as $50,000 annually in loan repayments for up to a five-year period.
