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Originally Posted by blankguy
Since it is recommended according to AFDDS you might as well factor that into the 'obligatory' time unless you really have a compelling reason not to do it.
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Blankguy,
It seems you misunderstood my recommendation. I recommended that while you are HPSP, visit a base with and AEGD before you make a decision whether or not to accept or decline. You'll get a chance to ask current residents what they think and you'll get to see the kind of training you'll get. Ask some of your faculty and get their opinions on the chance to do a residency. Make an informed decision. No one is going to treat you any different if you decide to decline a residency. In the grand scheme of things, one year is nothing, especially for the top-notch training you get.
By ADA standards the one-year AEGD programs are designed for graduates within 1 -year of graduation from dental school. They are very clinically oriented with some didactic courses. I can say that my program is set up to help increase your clinical skills.
The two-year programs are for anyone. Some will say it's for more experienced dentists, but I've known recent graduates that completed a 2-year and did so fantastically. A 2-year in the military will have more didactics than the 1-year and will also involve research. However, it is very clinically oriented.
I should also add that I haven't met anyone that completed a residency that thought it was a waste of time. I have met a few that felt they really missed out by not completing one.