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Dental students graduate with an average of $312,000 in student debt. For many new dentists, student debt impacts where they choose to practice and if they want to pursue a residency. ASDA supports initiatives to reduce the burden of dental student debt to give young dentists more autonomy over their career.

In the News

  • In May, Congress introduced legislation that would significantly change federal student loans, including eliminating the Grad PLUS loan program, lowering borrowing amounts, and reducing loan repayment programs to only two options.
  • On March 20, President Trump signed an executive order to take steps to close the Department of Education. Read more in the April 2025 Advocacy Brief.
  • The Trump administration has announced its plans to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. Read more in the March 2025 Advocacy Brief about how this could impact your student loans.
  • Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Chair of the Center for the American Worker of the America First Policy Institute, was named Secretary of Education in the Trump administration. Read more in the November 2024 Advocacy Brief.

The American Student Dental Association supports initiatives to reduce the burden of debt for dental students. The association urges Congress, state legislatures, and state dental associations to pass measures that include, but are not limited to:

  1. Reducing student loan interest rates;
  2. Providing refinancing opportunities to borrowers;
  3. Providing opportunities for loan forgiveness, scholarships, grants and tax deductibility.

(F-4 Policy)

Active Legislation

  • R. 2028/S. 942 REDI Act
  • R. 593 Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act
  • R. 1758/S. 1080 Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act of 2025

Visit ASDA Action to learn more about advocating for legislation about dental student debt.

What has ASDA done?

  • In May 2025, ASDA launched a campaign opposing drastic cuts to federal student loans. Visit ASDA Action to protect access to federal student loans.
  • In March 2025, ASDA signed onto a coalition letter urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act, which would make income in the form of loan forgiveness tax-exempt for faculty members who participate in the Dental Faculty Loan Repayment Program.
  • Dental students have advocated for multiple bills relating to student debt at Lobby Day. Since 2021, these lobbying efforts focused on support for the REDI Act, the Student Loan Refinancing Act, and the Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act.
  • ASDA has signed five onto coalition letters since 2021 urging Congress to pass the REDI Act and allow dental residents to defer payments and interest on their student loans for the duration of their residency.

From Dental Students

  • “Plan Now for Economic Situations After Dental School” by Joseph Linsner in Contour, March 2023
  • “Escaping the Debt Monster: Your Action Plan for Minimizing and Repaying Debt” by David Brooks in Contour, February 2022

More Resources for Dental Students

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