Delta Dental of Iowa invests $2M in new revolving loan fund 

Delta Dental of Iowa has launched a new revolving loan fund aimed at helping Iowa dentists establish or acquire private practices, particularly in rural areas facing limited access to dental care. The Delta Dental of Iowa Revolving Loan Fund, administered by the Iowa Area Development Group and its subsidiary, the Development Partners Network, will provide licensed dentists with loans of $50,000 to $500,000 at a fixed 1% interest rate for five to 10 years. Delta Dental of Iowa has made an initial contribution of $2 million to the loan fund. According to a news release, rising education costs and limited access to capital have been financial barriers to dentists becoming owners of private practices. This initiative builds on Delta Dental’s partnership with Iowa Area Development Group through the Fulfilling Iowa’s Need for Dentists (FIND) Project, an education loan repayment program. “IADG has decades of experience managing revolving loan funds both directly and in partnership with other professional organizations,” Bruce Nuzum, president of IADG, said in a prepared statement. “We are excited to take this next step with our partner Delta Dental of Iowa to support private dental practices, promote successful ownership transitions and startups, and ensure that dental offices can continue serving communities statewide.”