INDIANA – As part of continued investment in the future of oral health, Delta Dental of Indiana and the Delta Dental Foundation are partnering again to support dentists and dental hygienists through scholarship and loan-repayment programs. With nearly 1 million Hoosiers living in areas of the state where access to dental professionals is limited, these initiatives are designed to reduce financial barriers for those committed to serving underserved communities and help strengthen Indiana’s dental workforce.
In its first year, the partnership invested more than $250,000 to support dentists practicing in Indiana, along with dental hygienist students enrolled at Indiana University and Ivy Tech campuses.
Programs being offered this year include:
- A loan repayment program to support private practice dentists in underserved communities (up to $40,000 per year, up to five years). At least 15% of the dentist’s patients must be covered by Medicaid each year.
- A loan repayment program for dentists (up to $25,000 per year, up to three years) who commit to working in nonprofit clinics.
- A loan repayment program for dental hygienists (up to $5,000 per year, up to three years) who commit to working in nonprofit clinics.
- A scholarship program for dental hygiene students to cover the cost of attendance (up to $15,000 per year, up to two years).
“Indiana’s dental workforce depends on a strong pipeline of students who can afford to enter and stay in the profession,” stated Jeff Johnston, DDS, chief science officer with Delta Dental of Indiana. “By easing the cost of education through scholarships and loan repayment, we can help ensure more dentists and hygienists are able to build their careers here.”
“For many communities, especially rural and underserved areas, access to dental care comes down to whether providers can afford to practice there,” added Holli Seabury, EdD, executive director of the Delta Dental Foundation. “These programs help remove financial barriers so dentists and dental hygienists can serve where they are needed most.”
Applications are now open and will close on March 31.
For more information, an FAQ, and to apply, visit resources.deltadentalmi.com/Loan-Repayment.
