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Idaho Dental Education Program requests one additional seat to curb dentist shortage
Summary
The Idaho Dental Education Program (IDEP) requested $54,000 ongoing to add one dental training seat to its contracted program with Creighton University, aiming to expand in‑state dental workforce capacity; IDEP director said the program consistently attracts highly qualified applicants and historically returns a large share of graduates to Idaho.
The Idaho Dental Education Program asked the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Wednesday for $54,000 in ongoing general‑fund support to add one dental student seat for FY2026 as part of a long‑range plan to expand the program to 36 seats.
Why it matters: IDEP places Idaho resident dental students through a contract with Creighton University after students complete a first year at Idaho State University. Program leaders told the committee many qualified applicants leave for out‑of‑state dental school if IDEP cannot offer seats; those students typically incur higher tuition debt and often do not return to practice in Idaho.
Program details presented to the committee Kevin Campbell, a Legislative Services Office analyst, told the committee IDEP currently operates under a contract with Creighton University’s School of Dentistry and that seats are reserved for Idaho residents who receive a tuition discount under the arrangement. He said program appropriations have mainly funded contractual payments and that personnel spending has been moderate.
Director Jeff Wybarger, an IDEP alumnus and the program director, told the committee IDEP typically receives 30–50 applicants annually and that applicants are highly qualified (he cited average GPA and admission test percentiles). Wybarger said historical return‑to‑Idaho rates for program graduates are strong: over the long term roughly 65–80% return to practice in Idaho, and many others return after completing further training or residencies.
The FY2026 request and rationale IDEP’s FY2026 request is for one additional seat at a recurring cost of $54,000 to grow the class size over time toward a 36‑seat target. Wybarger told the committee the program is oversubscribed and would fill the additional seat; he emphasized the program produces dentists who serve rural and underserved areas of Idaho.
Next steps No committee vote was taken. The request will be considered during the JFAC budget deliberations for FY2026.
Background IDEP students take a first year at Idaho State University and then complete clinical training through the Creighton University contract in Omaha, Nebraska; the program is intended to increase the number of dentists practicing in Idaho and to reduce the likelihood that qualified Idaho students who train elsewhere do not return to the state.
