- MEDIUM
- Business
- Tier 1
- Clinical & Visual
Practicing in the Sticks Has Many Benefits
- Source
- Decisions in Dentistry
- Author
- Kristen Pratt Machado
- Originally at
- decisionsindentistry.com(opens in a new tab)
Summary and scoring by The Bell Brief (Dr. Jennifer Bell) using the Drill-Down Protocol. Not the original publisher.
Why it matters for dental
Rural practice ownership can generate higher net revenue growth for dentists compared with urban markets, while loan-repayment programs reduce student debt for those who serve shortage areas.
Key points
- 01
ADA Health Policy Institute data show rural dentists increased revenue by nearly 12% between 2016–2020 and 2021–2025, while urban practices saw a 0.1% decrease.
- 02
Rural counties average 32.7 dentists per 100,000 residents versus 64.7 in urban counties, per the same 2024 ADA Health Policy Institute report.
- 03
Dentists who practice in designated shortage areas may qualify for loan repayment of $40,000–$200,000 through National Health Service Corps, U.S. Public Health Service, VA, or Indian Health Service programs.
Who should care
- Associate
- Owner
- Student
Read the original
Decisions in Dentistry
Full reporting and any paywalled content live on decisionsindentistry.com. We summarize and score; we do not republish.