In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Higher education loan” means any loan for undergraduate or graduate study leading to practice as a dentist or dental hygienist that is obtained for tuition, educational expenses, or living expenses from: A college or university, government, or commercial source; or An organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. “Program” means the Maryland Dent–Care Program.

There is a program of higher education loan assistance grants to dentists and dental hygienists in the State, known as the Maryland Dent–Care Program. The purpose of the Program is to increase access to oral health services for underserved Maryland Medical Assistance Program recipients by increasing the number of dentists and dental hygienists who treat that population.

The Office shall administer the Program with the assistance of the Maryland Department of Health, Office of Oral Health. The Maryland Department of Health, Office of Oral Health shall: Recruit dentists and dental hygienists to participate in the Program; Determine if the private practice or clinical setting in which an applicant will practice is located near or readily accessible to underserved Maryland Medical Assistance Program recipients and if the applicant qualifies for the Program; Determine if each dentist participant or, for each dental hygienist participant, each office in which the participant works meets the Program requirements and serves the required number of Maryland Medical Assistance Program recipients; and Notify the Office of any findings made in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

Each applicant for a Higher Education Loan Assistance Grant under this subtitle shall: Be licensed to practice in Maryland by the State Board of Dental Examiners; Demonstrate financial need; Be employed full time or part time as a dentist or dental hygienist; Agree that at least 30% of the patients treated by the dentist or in the practice in which the dental hygienist works each year for a 3–year period in a private practice or clinical setting will be Maryland Medical Assistance Program recipients; and Meet any other criteria established by the Office.

The Office, on notification by the Maryland Department of Health, may award Higher Education Loan Assistance Grants. The Office, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, shall adopt regulations to determine: The maximum number of participants in the Program each year; The maximum number of total participants in the Program; and Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the minimum and maximum amount of a Higher Education Loan Assistance Grant awarded under this subtitle. On or after October 1, 2023, the amount of a Higher Education Loan Assistance Grant awarded under subsection (a) of this section: Shall be at least $50,000 per year for 3 years for a dentist; and May not exceed $10,000 per year for 2 years for a dental hygienist. The Office, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, shall periodically evaluate the minimum and maximum grant amounts determined under subsection (b)(3) of this section. The Office, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, shall establish prorated Higher Education Loan Assistance Grant amounts for part–time dentists and part–time dental hygienists.

Each recipient of a Higher Education Loan Assistance Grant under this subtitle may hold the grant for up to 3 years if the recipient: Continues to be employed full time or part time as a dentist or dental hygienist; and Continues to treat Maryland Medical Assistance Program recipients as at least 30% of all patients treated: By the dentist in a private practice or clinical setting authorized under the Program; or In the private practice or clinical setting in which the dental hygienist works.

The Office, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle, including regulations on repayment of funds if the participant fails to comply with the requirements of the Program.

Funds for the Program shall be as provided in the State budget.