SECTION 310:526-3-2. Description and operation of the Program

(a)   Department's equal opportunity policies applicable. The Department's Dental Service will administer the Oklahoma Dental Loan Repayment Program in accordance with the Department's policies governing equal opportunity and access to programs, services and activities.

(b)   General operation of the Program. The Program will provide educational loan repayment assistance for a number not to exceed twenty-five (25) full time (or full time equivalent, or as designated by Advisory Committee or Department) dentists licensed to practice in Oklahoma. The Program will provide prorated educational loan repayment assistance based upon the percentage of time worked. Dentists entering the Program agree to teach at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry if applicable faculty positions are available, or provide dental care and services to Medicaid recipients in a designated dental health professional shortage area (DHPSA) or exempted facility according to state law.

(c)   Determining individual awards. The amount of award, not to exceed $50,000 per year for each participating full time equivalent dentist, shall be determined by the Department annually based upon the amount of funds appropriated to the Department. If the participating dentist's eligible loans are less than the cumulative repayment assistance total available over 5 years, that participating dentist shall be in the Program no longer than required to pay off the total eligible loans and shall not receive more funding assistance than the total eligible indebtedness.

(d)   Distributing the awards. Each award shall be distributed in accordance with state law.

(e)   Default. If the participating dentist does not fulfill the terms of the service obligation, the Department may collect from the participant the entire amount of loan repayment assistance extended to the participant under the Program, plus interest.

[Source: Added at 24 Ok Reg 203, eff 11-1-06 (emergency); Added at 24 Ok Reg 1983, eff 6-25-07; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 2524, eff 7-25-10; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 1590, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 1790, eff 9-11-15]