The high cost of receiving a dental education has changed the way graduates approach their livelihood after graduation, with some choosing to not pursue a residency program or following a different career path than previous generations.
According to the Education Data Initiative, the average dental student loan debt in 2025 was nearly $300,000, and the average amount of dental school debt has increased by 587% since 1996.
Some students are choosing to seek out other professions entirely, which would create pipeline problems for dentistry in the future.
Four dentists recently spoke with Becker’s about the impact high student debt is having on new dental graduates, and some potential solutions to the problem.
Note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: Where do you see the burden of dental student loan debt impacting the pipeline of dentists? Is high debt causing young dentists to make different career decisions than they might have in the past?
Sibera Brannon, DDS. Owner of Affordable Dentures and Implants (Sun City, Ariz.): I wanted to share an additional perspective from one of our newest associates, who recently graduated from dental school, followed by my thoughts.
“High student loan debt absolutely influences career decisions for new graduates. For me, rising interest rates made the financial reality even more daunting. Interest continues to accrue throughout dental school, so by the time you graduate, your balance is already significantly higher than what you originally borrowed — and you haven’t earned your first paycheck yet.
When you look at monthly loan payments that can reach several thousand dollars, pursuing a residency becomes much more difficult. While advanced training is valuable, living on a resident’s stipend of $50,000 to $60,000 a year often isn’t enough to cover loan payments, housing and everyday expenses.
“Those financial pressures pushed me toward entering private practice immediately rather than pursuing a residency. Fortunately, I found a practice owner who was committed to mentoring me, allowing me to continue developing clinically while earning an income that made my financial obligations manageable. I think many new graduates are making similar decisions — not because they don’t value additional training, but because the economics of dental education leave them with very few practical alternatives.”
I especially like the last sentence because it broadens the comment from one person’s story into a larger observation. It also reinforces something I’ve been passionate about: mentorship. Strong mentorship in private practice can be an effective alternative for some graduates who feel financially unable to pursue a residency.
Benjamin Golik, DDS. Co-founder of URBN Dental (Houston): Dental student loan debt is changing how many young dentists begin their careers and the career paths they choose during their first several years after graduation. Many new graduates prioritize mentorship, clinical development and financial stability as they manage significant financial obligations. Some may delay practice ownership, pursue associateships longer than previous generations or choose organizations that provide strong clinical support, continuing education and a clear path for professional growth. While debt influences these early career decisions, it is not changing the incredible opportunities our profession offers. That said, I do not believe student debt should determine a dentist’s future.
Today’s graduates are entering one of the most exciting times our profession has ever seen. Advances in digital dentistry, AI, implant therapy and minimally invasive techniques are expanding what’s possible for both clinicians and patients. Dentists who stay curious, invest in their education and seek out great mentors will have tremendous opportunities, whether they choose private practice, a group practice, academia, public health or eventually practice ownership.
One of the most important qualities for a new dentist is a willingness to learn. Dentistry is a profession where every day presents an opportunity to improve your clinical skills, strengthen your judgment and better serve your patients. No one graduates knowing everything, and the dentists who continue asking questions, seeking feedback and embracing lifelong learning are the ones who grow the fastest and make the greatest impact on their patients and communities.
Our profession also has an opportunity to better support new dentists. The best organizations, regardless of practice model, create environments where young clinicians can continue learning, ask questions, gain confidence and develop their clinical judgment without feeling like they have to figure everything out on their own. When we invest in mentorship early, everyone benefits, especially our patients, our practices and the communities we serve.
Mollie Rojas, DMD. Owner of Shoreline Dental Chicago: Dental student loan debt directly shapes the career paths young dentists choose, whether they go into private practice, join a DSO or pursue specialty training. After borrowing so heavily just to become a dentist, the idea of taking on additional loans to sub-specialize can feel daunting, especially since postgraduate dental education, unlike medical residency, is largely tuition-dependent. If tuition keeps rising and federal borrowing becomes more complicated, fewer dentists will apply for residencies at all.
I also think the recent student loan reforms will influence whether students choose dentistry or medicine in the first place. Dental school generally costs more than medical school, and for someone from a less advantaged background, medicine may simply become the more attainable path — less tuition up front and generally higher salaries over a career. That could mean a shortage of dentists in the not-so-distant future.
For those who do graduate, debt pressure changes the calculus at the first job. DSOs offer daily minimums that private practices struggle to compete with, and when you’re staring at six figures of debt, that guaranteed paycheck is hard to turn down. But it can be a shortsighted choice: What early-career dentists need most is mentorship, someone teaching them to manage complex cases and grow into ethical providers. The cash may be there at the start, but without guidance, the clinical growth often isn’t. A well-supported position in a growing private practice, with both mentorship and patient flow, is what actually builds a career.
Robert Trager, DDS. Owner of Dentists for Airport Employees (New York City): According to recent statistics, dental school tuition can range from a low $60,000 annually to $100,000 annually. Students now upon graduation have at least $250,000 in student loans. Prospective students can go to law school and after three years almost be debt free and enter a profession with a high salary and very little debt. Also, they can go to business school and be an AI analyst, computer software specialist, get a job working with a state or government agency, become an air traffic controller or get a job on Wall Street. All these business scenarios will have you with no debt and an income relative to a dental income with no future stress on paying back loans.
The best scenario may be for a prospective student to go to school and become a hygienist and earn from $80,000 to over $100,000 and use that money for tuition. Another solution would be for the DSOs, who are constantly growing and consolidating, to offer scholarships to prospective students after vetting them as serious candidates. Also, for some DSOs to provide these students with loans on the same vetting. A legal contract will be drawn up so that these prospective students will have to work for the DSOs that have provided them with these funds upon graduation to help pay off their debt or loan and scholarship funds. Now the DSOs will have no problem with future employment based on their financial transactions. This may be a win-win solution for all parties involved.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Future of Dentistry Roundtable, taking place September 14-15 in Chicago, dental leaders and executives will gain insights into emerging technologies, practice growth strategies and the evolving landscape of dental care delivery, with a focus on innovation, patient experience and operational excellence. Apply for complimentary registration now.