Between the stress of a new job and loan payments that seems to keep piling up, new dentists can have a lot on their minds. Fortunately, the ADA has tools available to new dentists that can help with debt and finance management.
Access a debt load calculator, an FAQ on student loan refinancing and information on ADA membership reduced dues program for recent graduates on the Manage My Debt page on ADA.org.
Reduced dues allows new graduates to ease into paying for dues while they are transitioning into life as a dentist. Starting the year after you graduate, membership starts for free, then you pay 25 percent of full national dues in year two, 50 percent in year three, 75 percent in year four and full dues in year five at the national level. Many state and local dental societies offer similar reductions.
You can also find help on the New Dentist Now blog, with over 150 articles on finances for recent graduates. The posts include guidance on basic budgeting, tackling loans, federal programs available to help pay off your debt and ways to structure your debt in case you want to open a practice someday. And certainly be sure to reach out to your peers at local dental society meetings.
The ADA endorses Laurel Road to offer members with student loans a refinancing program with an exclusive 0.25 percent discount. There is no application or origination fees, and you will not be charged any prepayment penalties.
Members on average save up to $33,000 over the life of the loan.
The ADA announced in 2017 that dentists going into any of the nine ADA recognized specialties and general practice residences can apply to refinance their entire student loan portfolio once they are matched to a residency program. Dentists pay just $100 / month throughout their training Laurel Road offers an additional 0.25 percent for autopay for all of their programs.
It’s never too late to think about retirement. The only retirement plan endorsed by the ADA for its members, the ADA Members Retirement Program is a partnership with AXA that offers a plan with a one-time only $25 enrollment fee, no out-of-pocket plan expenses and dedicated specialists who can help you shape the plan to your needs.
For more information on Laurel Road and the student loan refinancing program, visit LaurelRoad.com/ADA. ADA debt resources are available at ADA.org/mydebt.