Ankeny, IA, (June 15, 2009) – The Iowa Rural Dental Health Initiative is pleased to announce the launch of its Web site www.iowafindproject.com to promote the Fulfilling Iowa’s Need for Dentists (FIND) project. The Web site is designed for dentists looking to practice in shortage areas of Iowa and communities searching for a dentist. 

 

The goal of the FIND project is to build broad community based coalitions to alleviate the critical shortage of dentists in underserved Iowa counties. The FIND project enhances the Delta Dental of Iowa Loan Repayment Program that helps dentists with their dental education debt.  The Web site supports the efforts of the FIND project to connect dentists looking to practice in Iowa and communities searching for a dentist. 

 

The FIND Web site includes testimonials from past Delta Dental of Iowa Loan Repayment recipients about their experiences practicing in rural Iowa, a toolkit for communities looking for a dentist and profiles of communities actively recruiting a dentist. 

 

“Delta Dental is proud to be a part of this collaborative project to address the dentist shortage in Iowa,” said Donn Hutchins, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa. “Fifty-five of Iowa’s 99 counties are considered dental health professional shortage areas (HPSA). Through the FIND project, dentists who commit to practice in these underserved areas are eligible for grants of up to $100,000 for dental education debt.” 

 

“The Web site will connect dentists looking for opportunities in Iowa with communities actively seeking a dentist,” said Rand Fisher, president of Iowa Area Development Group. “A dental practice can have a significant impact on that community’s economy, in addition to improving the access to dental care.”  

 

Communities seeking a dentist can also post information on the FIND Web site about opportunities for a dentist. There is a form for communities to complete that will promote these opportunities. 

 

The Iowa Rural Dental Health Initiative is funded by a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant, Delta Dental of Iowa, and Iowa community matching grants. The Iowa Rural Dental Health Initiative’s FIND partners include Delta Dental of Iowa, Iowa Area Development Group, Ripple Effect, University of Northern Iowa Institute of Decision Making, Iowa Department of Public Health Oral Health Bureau and the Office of Iowa Practice Opportunities to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. The partnership received federal funds with the help of Iowa’s congressional delegation to be used over a one-year period starting September 1, 2008.

 

Delta Dental of Iowa is the largest and most experienced provider of dental benefits in the state. As a not-for-profit, Delta Dental of Iowa invests in oral health projects through the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation that focus on access to care, prevention, education and research. Delta Dental of Iowa is a member of the Delta Dental Plans Association, a national organization of not-for-profit Delta Dental member companies. The national association is the largest dental benefits carrier in the nation, providing coverage to 54 million people in nearly 89,000 employer groups.