LSU Health New Orleans’ Rural Track Scholars Program for Dentists Impacts Communities Across the State
March 16, 2026
Educating More Dentists for Rural Louisiana
Whether it’s at Walmart or high school football games, Dr. Mason Liles’ conversations quickly turn from prices and plays to cavities and root canals. As a dentist serving patients in rural Louisiana, Dr. Liles is always on the job.
“Practicing in a rural community means being present all the time,” Dr. Liles said. “I see patients everywhere I go, and families feel comfortable reaching out when they need help. That level of trust is what makes serving a small town so meaningful.”
Dr. Liles was one of the first dentists to graduate from LSU Health New Orleans’ Rural Track Scholars Program. He received free tuition during his junior and senior years in exchange for a commitment to serve communities in rural Louisiana after graduation. Today, he splits his time between two clinics in Richland Parish: one in Rayville, which has a population of about 3,000, and one in Mangham, a small town of 600 people.
“I’ve been here for four years and expect to be here for the next 20, at least,” Dr. Liles said. “Once I realized the impact we have on the community, I just couldn’t imagine moving anywhere else.”
In Louisiana, three out of four dentists and dental healthcare professionals graduated from LSU.
Dr. Mason Liles, graduate of the LSU Health New Orleans’ Rural Track Scholars Program, splits his time between two clinics in rural Richland Parish: one in Rayville and one in Mangham.
“Louisiana faces a growing shortage of dentists in our rural communities, where access to oral health care is often limited. Dedicated rural track programs are essential to addressing this challenge because they don’t just train dentists—they prepare and encourage them to live, work, and put down roots in the communities that need them most.”
Dr. Sean Owens, president of the Louisiana Dental Association