Maryland Dent-Care Loan Assistance Repayment Program (MDC-LARP) For Dentists

Background · Recipient Obligations · Application

The Maryland Dent Care Loan Assistance Repayment Program (MDC-LARP) is the student loan repayment program for dentists.  Like similar physician repayment programs, MDC-LARP provides student loan repayment assistance to dentists for treating Maryland’s most vulnerable populations. The purpose of MDC-LARP is to increase access of oral health services for Maryland Medical Assistance Program (MMAP) recipients by increasing the number of dentists who treat this population.

MDC-LARP Background

During the 2000 Maryland legislative session, House Bill 543/Senate Bill 519 was passed providing State funding for a student loan repayment program for dentists entitled the Maryland Dent-Care Loan Assistance Repayment Program (MDC-LARP).  The purpose of the MDC-LARP is to increase access to oral health care services for Maryland Medical Assistance Program (MMAP) recipients by increasing the number of dentists who treat this population.  Through receipt of up to $99,000 in non-taxable loan repayment assistance over a three-year period, participating dentists agree to serve a minimum of 30% MMAP recipients as a portion of their total patient population per year.  The MDC-LARP provides loan repayment for up to five Maryland licensed dentists a year for a three-year commitment.

The MDC-LARP is a collaboration between the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), Office of Student Financial Assistance and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Oral Health (OOH).  The Office of Student Financial Assistance distributes the loan repayment checks and the Office of Oral Health collects all applications, convenes the review panel, monitors award recipient to confirm they are meeting their obligations promotes the program, gathers feedback from award recipients, and conducts initial orientation with award recipients.

Recipient Obligations

• Serve three years in a full-time eligible dental practice site(s).
• Treat a minimum of 30% MMAP recipients as a portion of the total patient population.
• Enroll in the MMAP’s HealthChoice program.
• Keep record of all patients seen (both MMAP and non-MMAP) and provide monthly written reports to the Office of Oral Health.

MDC-LARP Application and Guidelines for Submission

Application and Support Materials

• Application
• Lender Verification
• Letter of Understanding
• Recommendation Form

Guidelines for Submission

• Guidelines
• Frequently Asked Questions for MDC-LARP
• Application deadline and timeline