The state of California is paying off $10.5 million in student loans for 40 dentists who agree to ensure that 30 percent of their patient caseload is made up of Medi-Cal patients – among the state’s poorest and frailest residents.
“Dentists with significant student loan debt may find it more difficult financially to commit to care for the Medi-Cal population,” said Jennifer Kent, director of the California Department of Health Care Services, the agency that administers the program. “Helping them to pay off their debt will make that commitment possible.”
Dr. Byron Ruiz, a 2018 dental school graduate who joined the Sacramento Native American Health Center, learned Wednesday that he had been selected for an award, just minutes before Gov. Gavin Newsom called him on stage to congratulate him. Ruiz said he was overcome with emotion upon learning of his good fortune.
“Gov. Newsom brought me on stage for a press conference,” Ruiz said. “I had nothing written. Whatever came out of my mouth is what I felt. It was the craziest day of my life.…For me, it was life-changing. I worked through college. I’m the only person in my family to go to college. On top of all that, I got to meet Gov. Newsom.”