The Department of Health Care Service’s new program designed to expand access to care for Medi-Cal patients has awarded $10.5 million to 40 dentists to pay student loan debt.
Approximately 1,300 health care providers, including 350 dentists, applied to the CalHealthCares program, which offers up to $300,000 in debt relief in exchange for meeting certain criteria. Part of that criteria requires applicants to maintain a 30% or more Medi-Cal patient caseload.
“Expanding access to care will ensure California’s most vulnerable residents receive oral health care, which is essential to overall health,” said Del Brunner, DDS, CDA president. “We know student loan debt is one of the biggest financial hurdles a dentist may face and this program will allow practitioners to follow their passion of providing care for the underserved.”
Source: New state program awards $10.5M in grants to dentists / California Dental Association