Attract Dentists to Underserved Areas

To increase the availability of dental care in rural and inner-city areas, the Bridge to Healthy Smiles campaign calls for an increase in grant money for dentists to use toward paying down their student loans in exchange for their commitment to practice in an underserved area.

By the time a student graduates from dental school, he/she carries an average debt of $180,000. Current funding allows for two $25,000 grants.

We are asking the General Assembly to appropriate $250,000 which will help attract 10 more dentists to provide much needed dental care in Illinois’ underserved areas.

For dentists, this provides a unique opportunity to start their own practice in an area they may not have previously considered.

For patients, it opens the door for improved access to needed dental care.

ISDS Position Paper: Incentives to Attract Dentist to Practice in Medicaid & Underserved Areas