Loan Repayment
Purpose
The Loan Repayment program was developed in 2003 to encourage dentists to work part-time in a public setting such as a community health center, while simultaneously pursuing private practice opportunities. The initial aim was to attract new dentists who wanted both the experience and financial rewards of private practice and the satisfaction of serving under-served populations in the community. In 2004, the program added loan repayment to hygienists and expanded the program to support dentists working full time in community health settings.
Awards
The Loan Repayment program offers grants of $30,000 to licensed dentists to reimburse student loans in exchange for working full time in a community health center or other public health setting and up to $20,000 in exchange for working part time in the same type of setting for two years. Part time is defined as a minimum of four half day session per week for two consecutive years.
Learn More!
View placements for past recipients of our Loan Repayment (PDF) program.
View Program Outcomes 2007 (PDF)
View Program Outcomes 2003 (PDF)
Application Process
Awards are made each year based on funding availability. Awardees are selected through a competitive “request for proposal” (RFP) that is generally released each Fall or Winter and posted on this web site and the State procurement system (COMMPASS). Funds are administered to awardees on a quarterly basis based on documentation that verifies that they have completed the service obligation for that quarter.
Learn More!
View the most recent Loan Repayment RFP (PDF)
Contact the program manager at ESLAssoc61@aol.com
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Primary Care Office (PCO) through the Massachusetts State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP) has funding to support qualified healthcare organizations in recruiting or retaining health professionals by funding repayment of educational loans incurred by the health professional. In return, the health professional makes a commitment to work at the eligible healthcare organization for a specified period of time. Dentists are eligible to apply for loan repayment through two programs:
Component A: Health professionals must be employed by or have a contract to work in eligible public or non-profit healthcare organizations, located in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).
Component B: Targeted to oral health professionals to provide dental services to adults with mental retardation and children with developmental disabilities or mental retardation. Eligible dentists make a commitment of two years of full time work or two years part-time work (at least 16 hours per week) providing services to the Department of Mental Retardation population.
For more information about these programs, please contact: nicole.watson@state.ma.us