Every department, commission, officer, or other agency of the state, or of any political subdivision thereof, who is authorized or charged by law with the duty of providing dental services within the meaning of this chapter for persons unable to provide it entirely at their own expense, or to procure it through persons to whose support and assistance they are by law entitled, is hereby empowered in the exercise of his authority to provide such service if, in his judgment, it is in the public interest so to do, through a subscription or subscriptions paid for from any lawfully available public funds with any nonprofit dental service corporation on behalf of any person or persons entitled to such relief. Provided, however, that the extent of public funds contributed to such services, other than those funds disbursed by the state welfare program, shall not exceed the limitations authorized by Section 25-15-103, Mississippi Code of 1972.