DENTISTS-LOAN REPAYMENT ASSIST

Creates the Loan Repayment Assistance for Dentists Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish an educational loan repayment assistance program for dentists who practice in designated shortage areas in this State for 3 years and who accept certain medical payments under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that under the program, for each year that a qualified applicant practices full time in this State in a designated shortage area as a dentist, the Department shall, subject to appropriation, award a grant to that person in an amount equal to the amount in dental school loans that the person must repay that year. Provides that the total amount in grants that a person may be awarded under the program must not exceed $25,000. Provides that the Department shall require recipients to use the grants to pay off their dental school loans. Provides that loan repayment recipients who fail to practice full time in this State for 3 years shall repay the Department a sum equal to 3 times the amount received under the program. Effective July 1, 2007.