Finance and valuation
Dental school debt
Dental school debt is the student loan balance a dentist carries after graduating, and it can shape decisions about work, location and buying a practice.
The ADA's Health Policy Institute reported in June 2026 that a new federal limit of 50,000 dollars per year on borrowing for professional degree programs, including dentistry, applies to first-year dental students starting July 1 of that year. It also reported that average dental student borrowing goes well over the new limit in nearly every dental program in the U.S. Graduates with large balances may choose a salaried job or an associateship before they consider buying a practice. Options for repayment include student loan refinancing. Borrowers should compare federal and private terms with a financial adviser.