Recruitment Assistance Program (RAP) - Dentist (SD) Grant

The Recruitment Assistance Program (RAP) - Dentist (SD) aims to incentivize dentists to practice in rural South Dakota communities. Eligible dentists can receive an incentive payment of $256,204 for three years of service. The funding is shared between the state and the employing facility, varying by community size. To qualify, dentists must be licensed in South Dakota, citizens of the U.S., and agree to serve full-time in an eligible community. Currently, three slots are available.

NOTE: Requests for participation in this recruitment program are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis. A community or facility representative should contact the Office of Rural Health to request an assessment to determine eligibility.
Currently, there are 3 slots available for a dentist to participate in this program. The number of participants is current as of September 10, 2024, and subject to change.
The Recruitment Assistance Program (RAP) provides qualifying physicians, dentists, physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or certified registered nurse anesthetists incentive payment in return for three continuous years of practice in an eligible rural community.
Funding
The amount of the incentive payment beginning July 1, 2025, for a qualifying physician or dentist is $256,840.00.
The payment is split between the state and the employing facility, with the proportion depending on the community size:

• Communities of 2,500 or fewer: 25% paid by the community.
• Communities of 2,501 – 4,999: 50% paid by the community.
• Communities of 5,000 – 10,000: 75% paid by the community.

Eligibility

To be eligible a dentist must:Be licensed as a dentist in South Dakota
Be a United States citizen
Agree to practice full-time as a general or pediatric dentist in an eligible community for at least three consecutive years
Agree to be a participating South Dakota medical assistance provider and to serve any individual eligible under SDCL 28-6 and may not refuse treatment to any such individual while participating in the program
Provide services to Medicaid, Medicare, and State Children's Health Insurance Program patients
Not have previously participated in such a program, or any other state or federal scholarship, loan repayment, or tuition reimbursement program which obligates the person to provide medical services within an underserved area
Be recruited to a community and be on-site and practicing for less than four months