WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health Dental Student Service Program

Dental Student Service Program

Who is eligible?

Fourth year West Virginia University School of Dentistry students who intend to practice dentistry in West Virginia.

Obligation to Practice in West Virginia:

• Service program recipients receive $50,000 for a two year commitment.
• Students who are awarded service program funding must sign a contract and practice full-time (32-40 hours per week) for a minimum of one year at an eligible site. See the 2024-2025 Eligible Sites for the WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health Service Program Obligations can be found on the last page of the appliation. If you have any questions about the service program or dental service obligation practice sites, contact April Vestal at the WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health.
• Students are responsible for locating a practice site and must agree to provide oral health services to West Virginia Medicaid and CHIP recipients.
• Failing to fulfill the service obligation results in repayment of the service program funding with interest.

Submission Guidelines:

Service program application packets include student application, two recommendation forms and Certification of Education Status. The 2024-2025 service program application is now open. The deadline for completion is December 13, 2024.

Eligibility for Other Financial Incentives:

Students who are awarded Dental Service Program funding from the WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health also may qualify for other financial incentives for rural practice in West Virginia. In some cases, the service obligations can be met concurrently.

Apply Here

For more additional information, please contact April Vestal.