Loan Education & Financial Advocacy
What is the average student loan debt for dental graduates in the U.S.?
Over $300,000 on average
What is the primary goal of the Health Care Workforce Expansion Act?
To address health care worker shortages by increasing school enrollment and access to care.
Explanation: The act provides tuition-free programs and funding for medical, dental, and nursing education.
What is the goal of the Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act?
To make student loan repayment benefits for dentists tax-free
What is one major difference between a dental hygienist and a dental therapist?
Dental hygienists primarily provide preventive care, while dental therapists can perform restorative procedures and limited extractions
True or False: All 50 U.S. states have mandatory community water fluoridation laws.
False — fluoridation decisions vary by state and locality.
Which repayment plan adjusts your monthly payment based on your income and family size?
Income-Driven Repayment plans — such as SAVE, PAYE, or REPAYE
What must dental students receiving DENTAL Grants commit to?
Answer: Practicing general dentistry in a rural community for at least 10 years.
Explanation: The service requirement ensures graduates help underserved areas; otherwise, the grant converts to a loan.
What does “Medicaid adult dental coverage” refer to?
State-level dental benefits offered to low-income adults through Medicaid.
In some models, dental therapists can perform procedures on patients without a dentist present. What concern does this raise about patient care?
Reduced oversight could compromise quality, diagnosis accuracy, and management of complications.
Which federal agency regulates community water fluoridation?
The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS).
What is “capitalized interest” on student loans?
It’s unpaid interest that gets added to the principal balance of your loan, increasing the total amount owed.
How much funding does the bill allocate for dental school expansion?
$615 million over 10 years
True or False: Loan forgiveness amounts are always tax-free.
Answer: False.
Explanation: Under current law, PSLF forgiveness is tax-free, but other forgiveness programs (like IDR) may count the forgiven amount as taxable income after 2025.
Advocates are pushing for permanent tax-exempt forgiveness across all programs.
Why might dental therapists appeal to large corporate dental chains or public health clinics?
They provide basic procedures at lower salaries, reducing overhead costs compared to employing a full dentist.
Under which federal law is fluoride in drinking water regulated?
The Safe Drinking Water Act
How can dental associations help advocate for loan reform?
By lobbying lawmakers, collecting data on student debt, and sharing real stories from dental students and new grads.
What is the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)?
A federal program that offers loan repayment to health professionals who serve in underserved areas.
What happened to the Oral Health Branch within the HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce?
Answer: It was subjected to a Reduction in Force (RIF).
Explanation: A RIF means that most staff, except active-duty Public Health Service officers, lost access to their systems and work functions, disrupting oral health workforce programs.
Why might the presence of dental therapists lower the perceived value of dental services in some areas?
Patients may see similar procedures done for less cost, which can devalue the comprehensive education and expertise of dentists
What is the current recommended optimal fluoride concentration in community water systems (as of 2015)?
0.7 parts per million (ppm)
Why is loan education considered a dental advocacy issue, not just a financial one?
Because reducing educational debt helps ensure that all communities have access to dental care by making service-based careers financially sustainable.
What incentive does the bill provide to encourage providers to relocate to rural areas?
$20,000 rural relocation grants.
What does California’s SB-351 aim to prevent in dental and medical practices?
Private equity and hedge funds from interfering in clinical decision-making.
What’s one way organized dentistry proposes to expand access without introducing new midlevel providers?
Increase funding for community-based dental programs, improve Medicaid reimbursement, and expand loan repayment incentives for dentists in underserved areas.
What type of fluoride is most commonly used in toothpaste?
Sodium fluoride (NaF).