Student Loan Forgiveness for Dentists & Dental Hygienists

Federal and state student loan repayment and forgiveness programs open to dentists & dental hygienists, summarized from official sources with the date we last checked each one.

Check which programs fit you

Federal programs for dentists & dental hygienists

NHSC Loan Repayment Program

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health care Physicians & PAs Dental Mental & behavioral health

Award: Up to $75,000
Who it's for: Licensed primary care, dental and behavioral health clinicians.
Service required: Two years at an approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

NIH Loan Repayment Programs

National Institutes of Health

Health care Researchers Nurses Physicians & PAs Dental Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists Veterinarians

Award: Up to $50,000 a year
Who it's for: Researchers with a doctoral-level degree doing qualifying biomedical or behavioral research, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and veterinarians in research.
Service required: Two-year (or longer) contract to do qualifying research.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

Indian Health Service (HHS)

Health care Rural service Nurses Physicians & PAs Dental Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists

Award: Up to $50,000
Who it's for: Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, behavioral health and other health clinicians serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Service required: Initial two-year service commitment at an eligible Indian health program site.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Faculty Loan Repayment Program

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health care Nurses Dental Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists

Who it's for: Health professions faculty from disadvantaged backgrounds, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and behavioral health faculty.
Service required: Two years as faculty at an eligible health professions school.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program

U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance

Lawyers Public service Dental

Who it's for: Full-time state and local prosecutors and state, local and federal public defenders.
Service required: At least three years of continued service; administered by a governor-designated agency in each state.

Up to $10,000 a year and $60,000 lifetime per the FY 2026 federal funding notice. Apply through your state's designated agency.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Borrower Defense to Loan Repayment

U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid

Any field Dental

Award: Eligible federal loans discharged
Who it's for: Borrowers whose school misled them or broke certain laws.
Service required: No service required; apply to Federal Student Aid.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid

Any field Public service

Award: Remaining Direct Loan balance forgiven
Who it's for: Borrowers working full time for a government or qualifying nonprofit employer.
Service required: 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

State programs for dentists & dental hygienists

Is there student loan forgiveness for dentists & dental hygienists?

Yes. We found 6 federal and 25 state programs that can help dentists & dental hygienists, each linked to its official source. Most loan repayment programs require a service commitment, often in a shortage area.

Do dentists & dental hygienists qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness?

If you work full time for a government agency or a qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit and have Direct Loans on a qualifying repayment plan, you can qualify for PSLF after 120 qualifying payments, whatever your job title.

Do I have to pay to apply?

No. Official loan repayment and forgiveness programs are free to apply for.