Academy of General Dentistry Joins Coalition Urging Caution on Graduate PLUS Loan Elimination and Federal Loan Cap
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), in collaboration with several national dental organizations, has signed a joint letter to U.S. Department of Education Undersecretary Nicholas Kent expressing significant concern about the proposed elimination of the Graduate PLUS Loan program and the imposition of new federal student loan caps under the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), Public Law 119-21.
The coalition's letter, submitted following the Department of Education’s public meeting on August 7, 2025, highlights the unintended consequences these changes could pose for professional students in high-cost fields such as dentistry. With dental education costs often exceeding $400,000, the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans and introduction of federal borrowing limits could force students to rely on private loans with higher interest rates and fewer borrower protections.
“While we recognize the Department’s intent to reduce the cost of higher education, we are deeply concerned that these changes will hinder access to dental school and widen existing disparities in the oral health workforce,” said Chethan Chetty, DDS, MAGD, AGD president. “AGD supports policies that expand, not limit, opportunities for students to serve patients in every corner of the country. The future of oral health in America depends on our ability to educate and empower the next generation of dentists. We urge the Department to listen closely to our concerns and proceed thoughtfully in its implementation strategy.”
Key Concerns Raised:
Access and Affordability: The current cost of dental school, averaging nearly $60,000 per year at public institutions and over $84,000 at private schools, already places a substantial burden on students. Removing access to Graduate PLUS loans risks dissuading qualified candidates, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds or underserved communities.
Shift Toward Private Loans: Students may be forced to secure high-interest, market-driven private loans that lack income-driven repayment options and other federal safeguards.
Impact on Workforce Distribution: Debt load may steer graduates away from serving in rural and underserved areas or entering academic and public health roles, all of which are critical to reducing the nation's oral health disparities.
Influence of Corporate Practice Models: As debt levels rise, new dentists may feel financially obligated to join corporate practice models such as dental support organizations (DSOs), potentially reducing the number of providers pursuing independent practice or community-based careers.
Call for Accountability and Monitoring
The AGD and other signatories strongly recommend that the Department of Education:
- Monitor and report changes in dental school tuition rates post-implementation.
- Track the private loan market, including interest rates and average borrowing terms.
- Study changes in enrollment, with a focus on diverse and marginalized student populations.
- Analyze the impact on workforce trends, especially in areas where access to dental care is challenging.
- Examine how practice settings shift because of increased financial pressure on dental graduates.
Additionally, the coalition urges the Department to exclude previously repaid federal loans from lifetime borrowing caps, emphasizing that financially responsible borrowers should not be penalized when seeking future education.
A Shared Commitment to the Nation’s Oral Health
AGD is committed to ensuring equitable access to dental education and strengthening the dental workforce across all communities. The organization and its coalition partners stand ready to work collaboratively with the Department of Education to ensure that reforms to federal student loan programs support students, protect access, and preserve quality patient care nationwide.