The Florida Dental Association is throwing its support behind a pair of bills in the legislature, including HB 465, introduced by Port Charlotte state rep Mike Grant.
The bill would establish a dental student loan repayment program for dentists who practice as Medicaid providers in public health programs serving low-income patients in designated underserved and rural areas.
The group says while there is no shortage of dentists in Florida, the average quarter-million dollars in student debt leads many to only practice in areas where they can earn enough to pay off their student loans.