The American Dental Association recently backed two educational initiatives involving student loans and grants for two dental roles.
Seven things to know:
1. In Aug. 26 comments, the ADA applauded the Education Department's proposal to eliminate interest capitalization on certain federal student loans and reform the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
2. The department’s proposal to improve the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program would streamline the application process and revise the definitions for full-time employment, qualifying employers and qualifying monthly payments.
3. The ADA urged the department to educate students that the proposal would only eliminate forbearance for those exiting deferment, not interest capitalization.
4. The dental agency also stressed the importance of tracking the types of degrees, including dental degrees, for which federal loans are used.
5. In a Sept. 6 letter to the HRSA, the ADA supported Title VII education grants for dental professionals and urged the federal agency to prioritize training programs for hygienists and assistants.
6. Dental assistants are not currently eligible for the grants but could be if the HRSA approves them.
7. The ADA's letter asked that the health professional shortage areas criteria be refined and asked the agency for greater support of Action for Dental Health, a campaign by the ADA to improve oral health in America.