The California Department of Health Care Services will award up to $300,000 to dentists who commit to serving Denti-Cal beneficiaries as part of the Prop. 56 Dental Loan Repayment Program. The program received a one-time allocation in the 2018-2019 California state budget signed in June 2018 by then Governor Jerry Brown.
Applications will open this spring with participants selected no later than July 1. To be eligible, candidates must commit to being a Medi-Cal enrolled provider for at least five years, and at least 30% of the applicant’s patients must be Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Twenty awards will be available per year. There are two eligibility tracks.
The first track is for dentists who have graduated from dental school within the past five years. The program will award them up to $300,000 in qualified student loan repayment over the five-year commitment.
The second track is aimed at established practices willing to relocate to an area of highest need: a county or region in California with fewer than five dental providers accepting Medi-Cal patients. These providers can receive up to $300,000 in business support grants over the five-year period. They will be required to submit a business relocation plan and documentation to support the cost of relocating.
The California Dental Association will notify members when the final criteria are available and the application period opens.
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