A new Dental Bursary Program will support an increase in the number of dentists practising throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly in rural areas. The Provincial Government will invest $150,000 to implement the program this year and $275,000 annually for the program�s two components, the Rural Dental Bursary Program and the Specialist Bursary Program.

"Good oral health is an important part of overall health, which is why improving access to dental services is a priority for our government," said Minister Wiseman. "In our most recent Blueprint we committed to establishing a new dental bursary program. With the program now in place, we are providing an incentive for dental students to return to rural and under-serviced areas of our province to practise, which will improve access to dental care for our residents."

Each bursary is valued at $25,000. Students must apply annually for bursaries and are eligible to receive a maximum of three bursaries for a total of $75,000. In exchange for each bursary received, bursary recipients are required to commit to one year of service in rural or in-need areas of the province.

Recipients of the Rural Dental Bursary are required to fulfill their practice commitment in a rural area determined by the province. These areas have been designated and prioritized through discussions between the Department of Health and Community Services, the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association, the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Licensing Board, and the Regional Health Authorities.

For the Specialist Bursary Program, applicants are required to work in an in-need area upon graduation. Examples of dental specialists include endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, prosthodontists and orthodontists.

"This strategic investment will be mutually beneficial to young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who choose dentistry as a profession and to the communities in which they will reside," said Minister Wiseman. "By introducing this program, it is our intention that additional students from our province will be encouraged by the prospect of financial assistance to attend dental school or further their studies in a specialty field."

Recipients will be determined through a competitive application process and while the program is open to Canadian citizens, preference is given to students from Newfoundland and Labrador. To be eligible, an applicant must be accepted into an accredited dental program recognized by the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Licensing Board. The awarding of bursaries will be determined by a committee comprised of Provincial Government representatives and members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association.

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Media contact:
Glenda Power
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741
glendapower@gov.nl.ca