Idaho Dental Education Program seeks one additional seat; program says it is oversubscribed and returns most graduates to state

The Idaho Dental Education Program asked the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee for $54,000 in ongoing general-fund support to add one dental education seat for FY2026, part of a long-term plan the program says will increase in-state dental capacity.

Kevin Campbell, a Legislative Services budget and policy analyst, presented the IDEP base budget and the program's FY2026 request. Campbell said IDEP "requests $54,000 ongoing from the general fund for 1 additional seat" and described the request as part of an objective to reach 36 seats over time.

Why it matters: IDEP reserves seats for Idaho residents and partners contractually with Creighton University School of Dentistry for clinical training. Program leaders told the committee additional Idaho seats reduce the likelihood that Idaho residents will attend out-of-state dental schools and incur higher debt, a factor cited as reducing the chance graduates will return to practice in Idaho.

Program director Jeff Weibargin described how the program operates and the returns to the state. "IDEP students take the first year of dental training at Idaho State University, and then complete training at Creighton University," he said. He told the committee IDEP is oversubscribed: "We have anywhere between 30 ... applicants each year and IDEP expects to be able to easily fill the additional seat if appropriated." He added the program typically enrolls eight students per year.

Weibargin also discussed graduate return rates. He told the committee the program historically returned about 65–70% of graduates to practice in Idaho, and over the last five years that rate rises toward roughly 80% when later returns are included. He described the program as producing graduates who often return to practice in smaller communities.

Campbell's budget overview noted IDEP has 3.25 FTP, no vacancies, and that personnel makes up about 20% of its expenditures. The analyst said the program was appropriated $8,700 in additional CEC in FY2025 and that IDEP expects enrollment demand to continue.

No formal committee vote was recorded in the transcript. Program officials said they are prepared to provide additional information, and committee members asked questions about workforce need and return-on-investment in Idaho.

Ending: IDEP told lawmakers it is oversubscribed and can fill another seat immediately; the request for $54,000 ongoing will be considered as part of the committee's overall appropriation decisions for FY2026.