Bill > HB2899

This bill makes several modifications to Oklahoma's dental practice and loan repayment regulations. For teledentistry, the bill expands the location requirements for dentists, allowing them to have an office within 50 miles of an Oklahoma border in a state with an interstate dental compact, instead of strictly requiring an Oklahoma office. Regarding the Oklahoma Dental Loan Repayment Program, the bill increases the number of full-time-equivalent dentists who can receive loan assistance from 25 to 30 per year and raises the annual loan repayment maximum from $50,000 to $60,000. The bill also adds two new legislative findings: allowing providers to work at the top of their professional license and addressing the need for dental faculty. The program continues to prioritize serving Medicaid recipients and dental health professional shortage areas, with some exemptions for specialized dentists and those working in specific healthcare facilities. Eligibility remains focused on new dental school graduates, particularly those from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, who are licensed in Oklahoma and demonstrate financial need. The bill will become effective on November 1, 2025, and maintains the existing provisions that dentists must fulfill their service obligations or risk repaying the entire loan amount plus interest.

Health and Social Services

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2899&Session=2600