About the Program
The Maine Dental Education Loan Repayment Program provides loan repayment assistance for dentists and certain dental auxiliary health professionals practicing general dentistry or dental auxiliary services full-time in a dental health professional shortage area or medically underserved population areas in the state of Maine.
Eligibility
Dentists must:
- Be licensed, or eligible for licensure, to practice as a dentist or provide dental auxiliary health services as a dental hygienist, dental therapist, expanded function dental assistant or dental assistant in the state of Maine;
- Have qualifying outstanding education loans, including loans for dental education or programs of study from any accredited school for dental hygienists, dental therapists, expanded function dental assistant or dental assistants;
- Be able to document employment at or establishment of a qualifying dental care facility. A qualifying dental care facility:
- Serves at least 25% of patients regardless of ability to pay through insurance or other payment sources;
- Accepts payment terms of MaineCare or a successor program; and
- Provides patients notice that they accept payment through MaineCare or a successor program.
- Not be under an agreement for loan repayment from a program funded by the National Health Service Corps.
Loan Repayment Amounts
Up to $25,000 annually, $100,000 total for agreements first signed after January 1, 2020.
Funds are paid directly to the holder or servicer of your student loans. Recipients must continue to make regular student loan payments.
Renewals
The initial contract term is for four years. There are no renewals.
How to Apply
Applications are available online in February of each year. Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are no longer being accepted.
- Complete the application
- Have your employer complete the Employment Verification (page 3 of the application)
- Provide documentation of education loans attributable to dental degree – including servicer name, address, and current outstanding balance
- Include a copy of your transcript from your dental education program
How Dentists or Dental Auxiliary Health Professionals are Selected
Applications are reviewed with FAME’s selection committee. If you are selected as a finalist, you may be requested to participate in an interview.
If the dentist or dental auxiliary health professional fails to comply with the contract, the dentist or dental auxiliary health professional shall be liable to repay to FAME the amount paid by the FAME to the loan holder on behalf of the dental professional under the agreement.
Additional Questions?
If you have additional questions, please contact our education program specialists Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
207-623-3263 | Toll-free: 800-228-3734 | TTY: 207-626-2717
