Section 1972.

(a) Program applicants shall possess a current valid license to practice dentistry in this state issued by the board pursuant to Section 1626.

(b) The board, in accordance with Section 1970.5, shall develop the guidelines for selection and placement of applicants.

(1) Guidelines shall provide priority consideration to applicants who are best suited to meet the cultural and linguistic needs and demands of dentally underserved populations and that meet one or more of the following criteria:

(A) Speak a Medi-Cal threshold language.

(B) Come from an economically disadvantaged background.

(C) Have received significant training in cultural and linguistically appropriate service delivery.

(D) Have worked with dentally underserved communities for at least three years.

(E) Recently received a license to practice dentistry.

(2) The guidelines shall include a process for determining the needs for dentist services identified by the practice setting. At a minimum, the practice setting shall meet the following criteria:

(A) The practice setting shall be located in a dentally underserved area.

(B) The practice setting shall ensure that the program participant serves a patient population that consists of at least 50 percent dentally underserved populations.

(3) Guidelines shall seek to place the most qualified applicants under this section in the areas with the greatest need.

(4) Guidelines shall include a factor ensuring geographic distribution of placements.

(c) Program applicants shall be working in or have a signed agreement with an eligible practice setting. The program participant shall have full-time status. Full-time status shall be defined by the board, and the board may establish exemptions to this requirement on a case-by-case basis.

(d) Program participants shall commit to a minimum of three years of service in a dentally underserved area. The board, in accordance with Section 1970.5, shall develop the process for determining the maximum length of an absence and the process for reinstatement. Loan repayment shall be deferred until the dentist is back to full-time status.

(e) The board, in accordance with Section 1970.5, shall develop the process if a dentist is not able to complete his or her three-year obligation.

(f) The board, in accordance with Section 1970.5, shall develop a process for outreach to potentially eligible applicants.

(g) The board may adopt any other standards of eligibility, placement and termination appropriate to achieve the aim of providing competent dental services in these approved practice settings.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1131, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2003.)