Academy of General Dentistry Joins National Coalition Urging Congress to Pass the REDI Act

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recently joined nearly 40 national health care organizations in signing a letter urging Congress to advance the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. This bipartisan legislation would restore interest deferment on federal student loans for physicians and dentists during required residency and internship training.

The letter, sent to the leadership of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee calls on Congress to pass S. 942/H.R. 2028. The bill would allow loan borrowers enrolled in accredited medical and dental residency programs to defer interest accrual on their federal student loans while they complete training and earn modest salaries.

Signatories, including the AGD, American Dental Association, the American Medical Association and dozens of specialty and professional societies, argue that although current deferment and forbearance options can pause loan payments, interest continues to accrue, adding to the debt burden new physicians and dentists carry into practice.

The coalition also points to recent federal policy changes as adding urgency to the issue. New borrowing caps for graduate and professional students and the elimination of the Graduate PLUS loan program took effect July 1, 2026, reducing financing options for future medical and dental students.

AGD leadership said the REDI Act addresses a practical, targeted gap in graduate medical and dental education financing.

“General dentists see firsthand how student debt shapes career decisions, from the specialties residents choose to the communities they’re willing to serve,” said Marc Worob, DDS, FAGD, AGD president. “The REDI Act is a common-sense fix that lets residents focus on their training instead of watching their debt grow larger every month. AGD is proud to stand with our colleagues across medicine and dentistry in support of this legislation.”

Supporters say easing the debt burden during residency and internship training can also help encourage physicians and dentists to practice in underserved communities and shortage specialties, improving access to timely care.

AGD urges the 119th Congress to advance the REDI Act as part of broader efforts to strengthen the nation’s health care workforce and improve access to and affordability of care.

AGD is a professional association of more than 40,000 general dentists dedicated to providing quality dental care and oral health education to the public. Founded in 1952, AGD is the largest association for general dentists in the world and serves the needs and represents the interests of general dentists. Read letter