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Home > Advocacy > Advocacy Efforts > Student Loan Reform

Student Loan Reform

Easing the burden of student loan debt.

Becoming an orthodontist requires over a decade of post-secondary education, with the average orthodontic resident graduating with a staggering $567,000 in student loan debt. This debt influences where future orthodontists can choose to practice, with most opting for cities or suburbs in order to pay down their loans faster.

To address this critical issue, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has developed a suite of resources to support colleagues, advocates, policymakers, and residents exploring student loan forgiveness programs and policy solutions.

Student Loan Debt for Orthodontists

 The burden of student loan debt shapes where orthodontists practice, limits their ability to buy or start practices, and reduces the number of orthodontists pursuing careers as educators. Addressing these financial challenges is a top AAO priority as we support our members and strengthen the future of dental care in the U.S.

State Specific Resources: Advocacy in Action

AAO is committed to expanding student loan repayment opportunities through state-specific advocacy efforts.

In Florida, AAO successfully worked with state leaders to expand the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program, which provides critical relief for eligible dental professionals.

In Nevada, the state’s Health Equity and Loan Assistance (HEAL) Program is a state-funded student loan forgiveness program geared towards increasing and retaining healthcare professionals in Nevada (orthodontists included). Among its qualifications, providers must be willing to commit to providing healthcare services in rural or urban underserved communities in the state for at least five years of full-time clinical practice. 

In Tennessee, the Healthy Smiles Student Loan Repayment Program is a part of the state’s Healthy Smiles Initiative and supports recent graduates with student debt to go to work in underserved areas in exchange for some debt relief.

*As more applications processes are available, additional states will be added.

“When I was in my orthodontic program, interest was suspended for six months after graduation. So that really helped me know what I was borrowing. Now, interest is accruing when students are in dental school and through their orthodontic residency, so they don’t know what they owe until they are done. That adds stress and uncertainty. I see the toll debt takes on my students.”
Dr. Valerie Martone
Educator and AAO’s Council on Government Advocacy Chair
“I knew early on that I wanted to go the dental route and into orthodontics and I knew that would be expensive. I tried to make choices that made the most sense financially — as I get out, it is going to be hard for me to open my own practice. I do get a stipend in our hospital system but I still have a massive amount of debt from dental school alone. Everyone deserves a beautiful smile and a healthy bite, but it is a huge toll for residents that ends up dictating where they can practice after graduation.”
Dr. Rachel Thorstenson
Third-year resident at the Mayo Clinic, CONYM Liaison to the AAOPAC Board

Policy Solutions

The AAO advocates for reasonable, actionable solutions to ease the burden of student debt, such as:

  • The Resident Education Deferred Interest Act (REDI Act), which would allow medical and dental residents to defer payments on their federal student loans—and delay the point at which interest begins to accrue—until after completing their residency.
  • The Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act, which would provide a chance for borrowers to refinance their federal student loans when interest rates are lower. It would also eliminate loan origination fees and allow medical and dental residents to defer payments until after completing their residency programs. Additionally, it would delay the accrual of interest for many low- and middle-income borrowers while they are in school.

Repayment & Forgiveness Options for Residents

The AAO has gathered these resources related to federally funded repayment and forgiveness options for residents. We encourage you to explore these publicly available materials and visit the original sources linked within for the most current and accurate updates.

Reduce fees and rates for all future federal borrowers.

Currently, student loan interest rates are established at the 10-year Treasury note rate, plus a margin 2.05% for Undergraduate Stafford Loans, 3.60% for Graduate Stafford Loans, and 4.60% for PLUS Loans. Origination fees on Undergraduate and Graduate Stafford Loans are set at 1.069%, and for PLUS loans they are 4.276%.

We believe the marginal rates that are added to the market rate should be reduced on all federal Direct Loans, and the origination fees should be removed. Because orthodontists tend to borrow heavily to complete 6 to 7 years of graduate school, such rate reductions would be of great value to orthodontic students.

How can you help?

The AAO Political Action Committee ensures orthodontists’ voices are heard in the federal government.

Help spread the word with this sample post:

Orthodontic residents face unique challenges compared to their medical peers, impacting access to quality care. Watch this video to learn how you can advocate for solutions: https://vimeo.com/1025111732

How can you help?

Contribute to AAOPAC

The AAO Political Action Committee ensures orthodontists’ voices are heard in the federal government.

Spread the Word

Orthodontic residents face unique challenges compared to their medical peers, impacting access to quality care. Watch this video to learn how you can advocate for solutions

REDI Act

Join us here to take action and make your voice heard as we add co-sponsors to this valuable, bi-partisan federal legislation which provides interest loan deferment for student loans while in orthodontic residency.