I 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6613 
To amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the number of dentists 
serving health professional shortage areas, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 24, 2008 
Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. LEE, Mrs. 
CHRISTENSEN, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. MEEKS of New York, 
Mr. COHEN, Ms. NORTON, Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mr. COURTNEY) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce 
A BILL 
To amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the 
number of dentists serving health professional shortage 
areas, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Improving Dental Ac-
cess in Underserved Communities Act of 2008’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) Dental disease is a chronic problem among 
low-income and vulnerable populations. It is the 
most common, chronic childhood disease and is 
largely preventable. 
(2) Access to oral health care services by under-
served populations is affected by many factors in-
cluding but not limited to income, public insurance 
coverage, geography, and transportation. 
(3) Providing incentives for dentists to establish 
practices in underserved areas could help alleviate 
barriers to obtaining care. 
(4) According to the American Dental Edu-
cation Association (ADEA) dental school graduates’ 
student loan debt now exceeds $145,000. 
(5) According to a 1998 American Dental Asso-
ciation (ADA) member survey, the median cost of 
starting a dental practice was $150,000 with an av-
erage member reporting costs over $174,000. Today 
that cost is estimated at close to $250,000. 
(6) Over 90 percent of practicing dentists are 
in the private sector. More needs to be done to make 
it financially attractive for those dentists to partici-
pate in the Medicaid and SCHIP programs, which 
generally have low reimbursement service rates. 
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(7) The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) 
program has a proven record of supplying physicians 
and dentists to underserved areas, and has played 
an important role in expanding access for under-
served populations in rural and inner city commu-
nities. 
(8) Continued expansion of the National Health 
Service Corps program is strongly recommended. 
(9) The growing debt incurred by graduating 
dental students is likely to increase the interest and 
willingness of graduates of United States dental 
schools to apply for National Health Service Corps 
program funding and awards. 
SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE 
CORPS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND LOAN 
REPAYMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Sec-
tion 338H(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
254q(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘$146,250,000’’ and all 
that 
follows 
through 
the 
period 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 
2013.’’. 
(b) SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DENTAL STUDENTS.—Sec-
tion 338H of such Act is further amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
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‘‘(d) SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DENTAL STUDENTS.—Of 
the amounts appropriated under subsection (a) for a fiscal 
year, the Secretary shall obligate $100,000,000 for con-
tracts for scholarships under this subpart to individuals 
who are accepted for enrollment, or enrolled, in a course 
of study or program described in section 338A(b)(1)(B) 
that leads to a degree in dentistry.’’. 
SEC. 4. REAUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS PRO-
VIDING GRANTS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS 
TRAINING FOR DIVERSITY. 
(a) GRANTS FOR CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.—Sec-
tion 736(h)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
293(h)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘$26,000,000’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘2002’’ and inserting ‘‘$33,610,000 
for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013’’. 
(b) EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
FOR INDIVIDUALS 
FROM DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS.—Section 740(c) 
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 293d(c)) is amended by striking 
‘‘$29,400,000’’ and all that follows through the period and 
inserting ‘‘$35,650,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 
through 2013.’’. 
Æ 
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