SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
FOR RELEASE: October 3, 2003
CONTACT: Doneen Hollingsworth
605-773-3361

First dentist recruited under new state program goes to Gregory 

     PIERRE – Governor Mike Rounds said today that a new state program to help rural communities recruit dentists has placed its first dentist. 

     Joseph Hull, D.D.S. was recently recruited to Gregory and has signed a contract with the state to remain in practice there for at least three years. In return, Dr. Hull will receive a payment of approximately $85,000 in September 2006. The payment is shared between the local economic development corporation and state. 

     “Over the years many of our smaller communities have lost dentists and have found it tough to replace them,” said the Governor. “That’s why we went to the legislature with a bill modeled after a successful state program for family physicians.” 

     The new law, passed last session, provides for any town under 10,000 to be assessed by the Department of Health. If the community is found to both need and be able to support a dentist, it can use the reimbursement program as a financial enticement to attract a dentist. The payment amount is based on the population of the community, with the state paying a larger share for smaller communities. In Gregory’s case, the state will pay 75% of the total reimbursement amount.

     “Of course our goal is that Dr. Hull will remain in Gregory well beyond three years. We think that will be the case, “ said the Governor. 

     Paul Knecht, Executive Director of the South Dakota Dental Association welcomed the news.  “The situation worked out very well for the folks in Gregory and we hope many more towns will benefit from this program,” he said. The Dental Association actively lobbied for the program last legislative session. 

     Dr. Hull graduated from the University of Nebraska in 2001. He first learned about the new dentist recruitment program from a classmate who was in practice in Rapid City. Dr. Hull is married and his wife Cara is employed by Mid-Central Educational Co-op in Platte. 

     Communities interested in learning more about the program can contact the Office of Rural Health at 1-800-738-2301.