COVID-19 Relief Plan Offers Loan Repayment Program for Oral Health Professionals

The COVID-19 relief package—American Rescue Plan Act of 2021—which was signed into law in March of this year, provided the United States Health Resources and Services Administration with $900 million to retain the current medical and dental workforce and to attract new professionals to these fields. The funds support the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, which will repay up to $50,000 of student loans for medical and oral health professionals who commit to providing care in underserved areas for at least 2 years. Additionally, the act supports the National Health Service Scholarship Program, which offers tuition assistance to students in allied healthcare fields—including dentistry and dental hygiene—who will work in underserved areas for a minimum of 2 years after graduation. The deadline for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program is May 6, and May 11 for the National Health Service Scholarship Program. Click here to read more.