Iowa Orthodontist Receives Loan Repayment Award From FIND Project
Posted on March 11, 2022 in Foundation
Dr. Kevan Kadavy, an orthodontist in Clinton County, has been selected as the 2022 recipient of an educational loan repayment award from Fulfilling Iowa’s Need for Dentists (FIND), a collaborative public-private partnership. This program helps dentists establish dental practices in designated Iowa priority counties and to devote a percentage of their practice to individuals who disproportionately face barriers to access care such as individuals enrolled in Medicaid, older adults and other historically underserviced populations.
Since Delta Dental began the Loan Repayment program in 2002, 56 private-practice dentists have participated in the Loan Repayment and FIND programs. These dentists have provided 266,000 patient visits and more than 740,000 dental services to underserved Iowans in priority counties.
“Having access to regular dental care as well as orthodontia services for patients with medical needs is an important contributor to our oral and overall health,” said Jeff Russell, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa. “The FIND program is a public-private collaborative effort with a specific mission to ensure Iowans have access to important oral health services in their communities by helping to recruit and retain dentists in communities where there is a need.”
Initial investments in a dental practice are significant. The average new practice can require $500,000 for construction or remodeling of an existing facility, along with new equipment and technology. This is in addition to educational debt, which for most dentists averages close to $300,000.
Dr. Kadavy will receive $125,000 in loan repayment funds in return for a five-year commitment to practice in Clinton. This includes a total of $120,000 from Delta Dental of Iowa and the State of Iowa, as well as a community match of $5,000.
Dr. Kadavy attended The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics and received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 2015 and a Master of Science (MS) and Certificate in Orthodontics in 2017. Following graduation, he practiced orthodontics in Bettendorf until February 2020 when he purchased the Clinton practice of a retiring orthodontist. In addition to Iowa Area Development Group and rural utilities, several local partners assisted with his award including the Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, Jennifer Boysen and Dr. Michael Callan.
FIND project partners include Delta Dental of Iowa and its Foundation, Iowa Area Development Group, Aureon, The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Dental Association and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, as well as numerous local organizations.
The Loan Repayment Program is a component of Delta Dental of Iowa’s Community Impact program that invests in projects that strengthen and transform the health and smiles of all Iowans. For more information, visit www.iowafindproject.com.