Dental Economics: How I stopped drowning in student loan debt

In a Dental Economics article, Dr. David Manzanares, a general dentist practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, shared his struggles with his student loan debt and how Darien Rowayton Bank’s student loan refinancing program helped him.

In an effort to help ease the burden of student debt, the ADA announced last year an exclusive endorsement of Darien Rowayton Bank, known as DRB, that allows ADA members an opportunity to refinance existing federal and private student loans at a lower rate. Savings will vary as loans are granted based on a number of factors that are considered in any loan decision, including credit history, loan terms, income and total debt amount.

“My experience with student debt is a story that almost all new dentists today know well,” wrote Dr. Manzanares, a 2009 graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry.

Adjusted for inflation, the average dental school debt for the class of 2000 was $118,515. For the class of 2014, it was $247,227, according to the annual American Dental Education Association’s Survey of Dental School Seniors.

“To be presented the opportunity to be done with student loan repayments in 10 years instead of 30 is liberating-in fact, it is life-changing,” he wrote after working with DRB. “Instead of the debt staring down at me, I am now staring it down and saying proudly, ‘I’ve got this.'”

To read Dr. Manzanares’ full article, click here.

For more information on DRB, visit student.drbank.com/ADA.