South Dakota Expands Rural Recruitment Program to Include Dental Hygienists

The South Dakota Department of Health has expanded its Rural Healthcare Facility Recruitment Assistance Program (RHFRAP) to encompass dental hygienists as qualified participants. RHFRAP offers a $10,000 incentive to eligible healthcare professionals who fulfill a 3-year, full-time service commitment and have recently joined as new employees within the past 9 months. To qualify for the program, healthcare professionals must enter into contracts with both the employing facility and the state. Furthermore, eligible facilities must be located in communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer residents. Additionally, dental offices are now recognized as eligible facilities under this initiative. This decision aims to address the increasing demand for oral healthcare services in rural communities throughout the state. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2023. Click here to read more.