The American Dental Association has asked the U.S. Senate to pass legislation that would help improve the dental workforce and access to care in rural areas.
In order to attract new dentists to practice in rural areas, the ADA is supporting bills to address student loan debt for dentists and dental hygienists, according to a May 22 news release.
Here are three pieces of legislation supported by the ADA to address the issue:
- The Indian Health Service Health Professionals Tax Fairness Act: Would make scholarships and payment made through the Indian Health Service loan repayment plan tax-exempt.
- The Restoring America's Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act: Funding for the National Health Service Corps' scholarships and loan repayment programs would be doubled for dentists and dental hygienists working in federally designated shortage areas.
- The Resident Education Deferred Interest Act: Borrowers would qualify for interest-free deferment on student loans while completing a dental internship or residency program.