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Why We Fight: REDI ACT

By Emily Tarr

As a 29-year-old woman, dental student in my fourth year, and happily married with two beautiful furry freeloaders (Hazel and Athlas), I never anticipated finding myself deeply immersed in organized dentistry. Yet, through my involvement, I’ve come to recognize the power of collective action in advancing the interests of our profession. The REDI Act is just one example of how collective advocacy can directly impact the lives of endodontic residents and pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future in dentistry.

The road to becoming an endodontist is paved with not just hard work and dedication, but also a substantial financial investment. Like many of my peers, we find ourselves staring down a daunting figure of about $287,000 in debt coming out of dental school with an annual interest rate of about 6%.

One of the great challenges all residents face is that interest on our pre-doctoral loans start accumulating from the day we begin our education and with current interest rates, our debt is growing rapidly. This is happening at a time when, as full-time students, we cannot make payments on the debt we owe. The ballooning levels of student debt will hobble us in the early years of our careers and forces many to have limitations as to what style of practice they can choose as they enter the workforce.

Anything that can be done to decrease the levels of student debt during residency can and will give us more freedom of choice as we move into the workforce. With less student debt, more of us can afford to enter careers in public health to help improve the oral health of underserved populations. The critical shortage of dental educators that dental schools are currently experiencing will be greatly worsened by increasing debt loads of graduates which tends to force people away from careers in dental education. The REDI Act can help. Dental professionals are working hard to get the REDI Act passed on behalf of all residents. Stopping interest from accruing on government loans while healthcare workers are still undergoing training is pivotal to reducing the overall cost to a student.

The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) in collaboration with the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), and other specialty organizations in both dentistry and medicine, are encouraging their members to support the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act (HR.1202), which is a bipartisan bill that allows borrowers in medical or dental internships or residency programs to defer student loan payments until the completion of their programs and allow the loans to accrue interest free during their residency.

Should you care? Of course, YES!

One might wonder why endodontic residents, or dental residents in general, should concern themselves with the REDI Act. After all, can we really do anything to help advocate for better interest options?

Again, the answer is YES!

Dr. Robert Roda, Endodontist and Past-President of the AAE who has been doing political action for years, states that, as dentists, advocacy is in our blood. “We have always been a group of small practices working alone in a world of large forces that work against the best interests of our patients and our practices. Only by banding together and fighting for what is right, can we protect our patients and ourselves.” Organized dentistry has been doing this forever, and they are reaching out to help residents to help themselves. Getting involved in advocacy may seem like a difficult thing to do, but it is not. Whether through contacting other professional associations, participating in lobby days, or advocating for policy changes at the state level- there are numerous avenues for endodontic residents to make their voices heard.

Our political leaders want to hear your voices. You are the future of our profession, and you are the future of advocacy, and they know it. While progress has been made, the continued support of future dental specialists is vital to ensure the success of this effort. By advocating for the REDI Act, we not only advocate for ourselves but also for the future generations of dental professionals who will follow in our footsteps.

Beyond its immediate impact on student loan interest, the REDI Act represents a broader effort within the dental profession to address the escalating costs associated with dental education and specialization. By supporting initiatives like the REDI Act, endodontic residents can play a role in minimizing the financial barriers that may otherwise limit their career choices and opportunities for professional growth.

Getting involved in advocacy efforts for the REDI Act and similar initiatives is not only a means of securing our own futures but also a way to shape the future of dentistry as a whole.

Send a letter to a lawmaker today by following this link.

Emily Tarr is a Midwestern University Class of 2025 dental student.