Three Point Plan #2 - Accomplished

ATTRACT DENTISTS

The Bridge to Healthy Smiles campaign creates an incentive for new dentists to begin their careers in communities where people have inadequate access to dental care. The average new dentist has accumulated $160,000 in educational debt by the time he or she graduates. Our student loan repayment program will allow dentists to apply for loan forgiveness in exchange for working in designated underserved areas. For new dentists, it provides financial assistance as well as practical experience with a diverse array of patients. For the entire community, it provides improved access to dentists as well as the diagnostic, restorative and specialty care services that are currently unavailable.

Dentist Deferred Compensation Incentive: Governor Pat Quinn signed HB 489 into law which allows dentists who treat public aid patients to opt into a health care provider deferred compensation plan. This allows medical or health care providers enrolled in Medicaid to except payment from the state to be deposited into a tax deferral investment portfolio in lieu of direct payment for services performed. This is similar to an existing retirement savings plan offered to state employees, and is currently allowed in four other states; Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi. This deferred compensation benefit will help motivate providers “dentists” to enroll in the Medicaid program which will help meet the demand of all those who need care. Public Act: 96-0806.

Student Loan Repayment Incentive: Governor Pat Quinn signed SB 275 which enacts the existing Loan Repayment Assistance for Dentist Act and was amended to include dental hygienists. This allows oral health care providers to apply for grants of $25,000 annually to be used toward paying down student loan debt. In exchange, these grantees agree to treat Medicaid patients in underserved areas of Illinois. Public Act: 96-0757.