AAE Joins Coalition to Preserve Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Dentists

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) has joined the Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC) in urging the U.S. Department of Education to preserve critical protections within the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The coalition emphasized the need to ensure endodontists working in public health and community-based settings are not unfairly penalized by sudden changes to their employer’s eligibility.

The PSLF program was created in 2007 to encourage graduates to pursue careers in public service by forgiving federal student loans after ten years of qualifying payments. For endodontists, this pathway is vital: more than three-quarters of dental graduates with debt begin their careers owing an average of over $312,000. Many use PSLF as a means to manage this burden while serving in community health centers, federally qualified health centers, teaching health centers, and other safety net providers.

Under the Department’s proposed rule, organizations engaged in activities with a “substantial illegal purpose” would lose PSLF eligibility. While intended to protect taxpayer dollars, this change could inadvertently harm endodontists who are faithfully serving patients but suddenly lose eligibility through no fault of their own. Such a loss could force participants to abandon public health service, relocate, or even interrupt their careers.

To avoid these consequences, the ODC is urging safeguards such as a six-month deferment period for affected endodontists to secure new qualifying employment, immediate reinstatement of PSLF eligibility if a court overturns a revocation, and stronger due process protections for employers. The coalition also called on the Department to clarify that health literacy and cultural competence training—essential to treating patients from diverse backgrounds—remains distinct from unrelated restrictions on diversity and inclusion programs.

For the AAE, these protections are essential to the specialty. Many early-career endodontists serving in public health settings rely on PSLF as a lifeline while delivering care to underserved communities. If access to the program is curtailed, residency opportunities could shrink, and patients in shortage areas may lose access to specialized endodontic care.

By joining with the ODC in this effort, the AAE is reaffirming its commitment to protecting the PSLF program as a pathway for young endodontists to achieve financial stability while advancing oral health equity. Safeguarding PSLF ensures that those who dedicate their skills to public service can continue their work without unnecessary barriers, strengthening both the dental profession and the patients it serves.