DENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREA (HPSA) The federal Dental HPSA designation (formerly Health Manpower Shortage Areas) identifies areas as having a shortage of dental providers on the basis of availability of dentists and dental auxiliaries. To qualify for designation as a Dental HPSA, an area must be: A rational service area, [the Federal Shortage Designation Branch recognizes Medical Services Study Areas as rational service areas.] Population to general practice dentist ratio: 5,000:1 or 4,000:1 plus population features demonstrating "unusually high need", A lack of access to dental care in surrounding areas because of distance, overutilization, or access barriers. Benefits of designation as a Dental HPSA include: Student loan repayment and personnel placement through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Eligibility for the California State Loan Repayment Program; Scholarships for dental training in return for service in a shortage area; and Funding priorities for training in general practice dentistry in programs that provide substantial training in shortage areas.This data was updated July, 2014. (2014 ver.7)
