In Virginia, 103 of the state's 133 localities are designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). HPSA designations are used to identify areas and population groups within the United States that are experiencing a shortage of health professionals. One way we are addressing Virginia’s oral health care workforce shortages is with a student loan repayment program. This program is designed to help Virginia dentists and dental hygienists pay off student loans in exchange for 12 months of service with a safety-net clinic. The Foundation awards approximately $250,000 per year through the loan repayment program with $20,000 available for qualifying dentists and $10,000 available for qualifying dental hygienists.

Who is eligible?

• A licensed dentist or dental hygienist in good standing
• Working full-time (32 hours per week minimum)
• Have a valid and unrestricted license to practice in Virginia
• Agree to serve at least one year in a free or hybrid clinic, or a federally qualified health center in a HPSA

Loan repayment applications open in the spring and recipients can reapply for additional years. If you would like to know when our applications open, please sign up to receive our emails.