Seven Iowa dentists (Including three from western Iowa) are the latest recipients of up to $100,000 educational loan repayment awards from the Fulfilling Iowa’s Need for Dentists (FIND) project, a collaborative public-private partnership. The unique program engages dentists to establish a dental practice in Iowa communities for a five-year commitment while devoting at least 35 percent of their practice to underserved populations such as Medicaid and elderly. Eighty-nine of Iowa’s 99 counties are designated as high priority areas for the Loan Repayment Program.

The FIND project award recipients will each receive a minimum of $80,000 in loan repayment funds in return for a five-year commitment (unless otherwise noted). The award includes the communities served contributing a minimum of $5,000 towards the award. Communities have the option to contribute an additional $20,000 toward loan repayment.

In the KJAN listening area, 2018 FIND award recipients include:

• Dr. Kathryn Handtke, Schroeder Family Dental, Greenfield and Atlantic, graduated in 2017 from The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics and obtained her undergraduate degree from Winona State University. A combination of local organizations assisted with Dr. Handtke’s award.
  

  Dr. Kathryn Handtke

• Dr. Alison Shields, Harlan Dental, Harlan, earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2009 from the University of Nebraska Lincoln College of Dentistry. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. A combination of local organizations assisted with Dr. Shield’s award.
• Dr. Ryan Hajek, My Pediatric Dentist, Council Bluffs, is a 2012 graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. There he received his Certificate of Pediatric Dentistry in 2014 and served as chief resident. McClain & Associates assisted Dr. Hajek’s loan repayment award locally.

Jeff Russell, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa, says “Access to dental care for all Iowans increases with each FIND award. Dentists practicing in rural communities improve their patients’ oral health, and they also improve the overall physical and economic health of the communities in which they serve.”

The FIND project recruits dentists to practice in underserved Iowa counties by helping them with their dental education debt. The Loan Repayment Program is a component of Delta Dental of Iowa’s Public Benefit program that invests in projects that support and improve the oral health of Iowans. For more information, visit www.iowafindproject.com.

FIND project partners include Delta Dental of Iowa, Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation, Iowa Area Development Group, The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, Iowa Department of Public Health and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, as well as numerous local organizations.