A Path Shaped by Service: One Dentist’s Journey Through Oregon’s Provider Incentive Program

Dr. Tuan Tran, a Portland native, began his journey into dentistry with deep roots in health care. Raised by two health care professionals, he was drawn early to a career focused on service, stability and community. After graduating from dental school in 2019 and completing a residency in Hawaii, his career plans were quickly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The shutdown forced the early closure of his residency program, and like many health care workers at the time, he returned home uncertain about the future. 

 

The job market was bleak. Openings were scarce, particularly in urban areas. One of the few available opportunities was a traveling dentist position with a large dental service organization serving rural Oregon. Around this time, a former faculty member introduced him to the Oregon Provider Incentive Program, highlighting its support for providers working in underserved areas, including the potential for significant student loan repayment. For a new graduate facing a mountain of debt, it was more than appealing; it was life-changing. 

 

Dr. Tuan Tran accepted the rural placement and began traveling across Oregon, serving remote communities that were often neglected by the traditional health care system. One of his most memorable assignments was in Brookings, a small, coastal town near the California border. The scenery was stunning, but what struck him most was the strength and resilience of the community. With many residents living below the poverty line and facing limited access to care, he quickly became not just the only dental provider in the area accepting Oregon Health Plan (OHP) patients, but often the only provider available at all. 

 

He recalls how deeply the work impacted him. The barriers his patients faced were many, including lack of transportation, mental health challenges, addiction and systemic poverty. Dental issues were often the result of much larger struggles, and access to care was deeply limited. "It was overwhelming at times," he admits, "but incredibly rewarding." Despite being overworked and under-resourced, he remained committed, knowing the impact he was making was tangible and necessary. 

 

His presence in these communities made a visible difference. At times, he was the only dental professional available to serve an entire town. The patients were grateful and welcoming. Still, practicing during the pandemic also came with difficult experiences—particularly some instances of discrimination. As an Asian American provider, he was occasionally met with prejudice from a few patients, often fueled by misinformation and fear. While painful, those encounters did not shake his resolve. The majority of his patients were thankful, kind and relieved to receive care. 

 

Thanks to the Provider Incentive Program, Dr. Tuan Tran was not only able to repay a significant portion of his student loans, but also to establish a stable life in Oregon. He married, began building a future, and laid roots in the very communities he once traveled to serve. "The program changed the trajectory of my life," he says. "Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am now." 

Now working in an urban clinic serving primarily low-income populations, Dr. Tuan Tran sees education as the next step in his career path. While he loves treating patients across all age groups, he envisions a future where he can also teach and mentor the next generation of health care professionals. He is considering pursuing a master’s in public health with the goal of transitioning into education and advocacy when the time is right. “I want to keep giving back, even after I’m no longer practicing full-time. The mission doesn’t end when the loans are paid off.” 

 

When asked what he would say to policymakers considering whether to expand or continue funding for programs like Oregon’s Provider Incentive Program, his message is clear: "Go to the communities. Sit with the people who need care. You can’t understand what they go through just by reading reports. You need to be there, eye to eye. That’s how you develop empathy, and that’s how you understand the true value of programs like this." 

 

Dr. Tuan Tran sees the Provider Incentive Program not just as a support system, but as a launchpad for lifelong service. “It’s not just about the loans,” he says. “It’s about doing something that matters.” 

 

To learn more about the various incentive programs offered by ORH, visit the Provider Incentive Program webpage.