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Idaho Dental Education Program requests one more dental seat to boost in‑state dentist supply
Summary
Idaho State University's Idaho Dental Education Program asked JFAC for $54,000 ongoing to fund one additional dental seat to expand training and keep more dentists practicing in Idaho.
The Idaho Dental Education Program (IDEP) briefed the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on its FY 2026 request for one additional dental training seat, a request staff said would cost $54,000 ongoing.
Kevin Campbell, a Legislative Services Office budget analyst, described IDEP as a partnership that places Idaho residents in an eight‑seat program that begins at Idaho State University and completes clinical training at Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Neb. IDEP seats are reserved for Idaho residents and provide a tuition discount as part of the contractual arrangement with Creighton.
Dr. Jeff Wybarger, IDEP director and an IDEP alumnus who practices in Idaho Falls, told the committee the state is behind on dental workforce needs and that rural and small communities have the fewest dentists. He said expanding seats helps retain Idaho students who otherwise would pay higher tuition out of state and are less likely to return. Wybarger told the committee the program routinely receives more qualified applicants than slots and described historically strong return rates: roughly 65–80% of graduates return to practice in Idaho over time, with recent cohorts showing about an 80% return when measured over several years.
Campbell noted IDEP has 3.25 full‑time equivalent positions and no vacancies and that personnel costs are about 20% of IDEP expenditures. IDEP requested one seat as part of a long‑term plan to reach 36 seats; the program currently accepts eight students per cohort and is oversubscribed each year, Campbell said.
No formal committee vote was taken during the presentation. Committee members asked about workforce metrics and return rates; Director Wybarger said IDEP produces a high percentage of Idaho‑practicing dentists and that adding seats is a cost‑effective way to increase the state’s dental workforce.
The committee asked for no additional materials during the presentation; the request will be considered in the broader budget review process.
