Rule 195-26-.02 - Eligibility Criteria and Application Process(1) Eligibility Criteria. Program eligibility is limited to applicants who meet the following criteria: (a) Licensed with no restrictions and in good standing or eligible for licensure upon graduation to practice dentistry in Georgia by the Georgia Board of Dentistry.(b) Agree to practice full-time, as defined in Rule 195-26-.01(19) in a Board-approved practice location in a rural and underserved community in Georgia designated by the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce.(c) Must maintain a Georgia Medicaid number and directly actively treat any Medicaid classification (managed or state run).(d) Must not have other contractual service obligations, such as National Health Service Corps Scholarships or Military Service Obligations.(e) Must have dental education or undergraduate loans for repayment in good standing and must not have any loans in default status even if the creditor now considers the defaulted loan to be in good standing.(f) Must meet all other requirements the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce sets forth.(g) Previous award winners in the Dentists for Rural Areas Assistance loan repayment program may apply, provided the sum of their previous awards does not exceed $50,000.(2) Application Process. Each applicant must:(a) Submit a completed application form.(b) Submit a copy of the promissory note, which required the loan proceeds to be used to pay for the cost of attendance of the dental education program. The loan must have originated before the date of the application being released. Full disclosure of all outstanding dental education and training debt is required.(c) Submit a copy of the contract between the practice entity and the applicant or a letter of attestation from the Principal or Officer of the dental practice documenting a commitment to full-time practice, as defined in 195-26-.01(19), in the rural community where the practice is located.(d) Attest that the applicant does not have any other current service obligations, such as National Health Service Corps Scholarships or Military Service Obligations. Participants in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program can continue.(e) Submit two (2) letters of recommendation with application: (1) from a Professor and (2) from a Dean (or Vice Dean) attesting that this applicant is in good academic standing and anticipating graduating by June.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 195-26-.02
O.C.G.A. § 31-34.
Original Rule entitled "Eligibility Criteria and Application Process" adopted. F. Nov. 4, 2024; eff. Nov. 24, 2024.