Loan Repayment Programs

General and pediatric dentists (and in some cases, dental hygienists) working in underserved areas are eligible to apply for repayment of school loans related to their professional training.  There are several sources of funds available for loan repayment.  The key components of all three programs are outlined in the Comparison of Loan Repayment Programs table.

Ohio Dentist Loan Repayment Program (ODLRP) 

In July 2003, the Ohio General Assembly enacted law creating the Ohio Dentist Loan Repayment Program (Sections 3702.850-3702.95 of the Ohio Revised Code.)  For the program rules, click here.  The intent of this legislation is to encourage new dentists to practice in underserved areas of Ohio by providing loan repayment for dentists who agree to provide care in those areas (as defined in the program rules.)  Eligible candidates include:

• Dental students enrolled in the final year of dental school.
• Dental residents in the final year of pediatric or general practice residency or in advanced education in general dentisty programs. 
• General and pediatric dentists who have been practicing dentistry for no more than three years.

To qualify for loan repayment, dentists must provide services in underserved areas for a minimum of 40 hours per week.  Also, services must be provided for Medicaid-eligible persons and others without regard to a patient's ability to pay.  Dentists are paid a salary in addition to the loan repayment they receive.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) can assist interested individuals to identify practice sites that qualify for the loan repayment program.  For more information about the program, see the ODLRP Fact Sheet.  Completed applications should be sent to ODH.

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (NHSC LRP)

The purpose of the NHSC LRP is to ensure an adequate supply of health professionals to provide primary health services to populations located in selected health professional shortage areas (HPSAs).  The NHSC LRP recruits fully trained dentists and dental hygienists who agree to provide care in qualifying community sites.  In return, the NHSC LRP will pay up to $25,000 per year, based on the participant's outstanding balance of qualifying educational loans.  The NHSC seeks dentists and dental hygienists who demonstrate interest in serving the nation's dentally underserved populations and remaining in HPSAs beyond their service committment.

Please visit the NHSC Web site for more information.

Bureau of Health Professions Loan Repayment Program

The federal Bureau of Health Professions funds this loan repayment program that is administered by ODH.  This program requires nonfederal match and is available to a variety of health professionals, including dentists and dental hygienists.  Dental professionals participating in the program are required to work in federally designated dental HPSAs.  The loan repayment funds are matched with funds from the ODLRP as appropriate to leverage limited resources and fund as many dentists and dental hygienists as possible.

For more information about any of the loan repayment programs, please contact the Bureau of Oral Health Services via e-mail at BOHS@odh.ohio.gov.

Last Updated: 08/19/08 

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