Ask an Army Dentist

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Originally Posted by umdnj101

hey Krmower, do you know if they're doing the 20K /monthly payments for AD officers now like 63A? Or is the VSP, ASP still being paid traditionally like it was in the past?

They have said that they will roll it out soon and that they will back date it for those that want to take it. So what I understand that to mean is that sometime later this year (don't know when - but I can go and check again) the Army will have figured out how they want to do things. At that time they will allow people to enter a date in the past and that will become their anniversary date for the future annual payments. You also have the option of continuing the traditional VSP and DASP.

Originally Posted by lox

Hey guys I just got my orders to Ft. Bliss. Was interested in hearing the thoughts of others who have been stationed there. Do all of the dentists work in the same location on base or is it spread out? Are there any residency/specialty programs there? How many dentists are stationed there? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

I can tell you that they only have OMFS there as far as as specialty training goes. That can be a good thing though, because it means the specialists that are there will be able to work with you easier - when there is a specialty training program going on their time is stretched more thin.

I am graduating from dental school May 2012. Still have not received my assignment. The e-mails from MAJ Junio at HRC said we would receive email notice by March 23. Should I just call HRC and see what's up?

Originally Posted by diesels

I am graduating from dental school May 2012. Still have not received my assignment. The e-mails from MAJ Junio at HRC said we would receive email notice by March 23. Should I just call HRC and see what's up?

If they gave you a time that has passed it would be OK to call them. I would avoid email since she is probably overwhelmed with them at this time of year.

I'm thinking about applying for the army hpsp for dental school. It's a big decision and i do have some questions.

1.) During summer break in dental school what is required of you?

2.) After graduating dental school what happens, do you HAVE to go to residency, even if your'e just going to be a General Dentist? and where is it located?

3.) After all is said and done, where are new dentists usually stationed? is it in a base in the U.S? If so what is the base, usually?

4.) What is the salary of a dental school graduate? and what is the rank upon graduation?

Hello,

I'm an ROTC Cadet and a junior year of college. I'm also a biology major and plan on applying to dental school this summer after taking the DAT.

I have a few questions in regard application to dental school and the HPSP scholarship as a cadet.

1.) Are there any specific benefits or disadvantages of being a Cadet when applying for the HPSP? If so, what actions should I take to improve my chances of acceptance?

2.) Do you need to be accepted into dental school to receive a scholarship through HPSP? If not, where should I stand in regard to GPA, DAT scores, PT score, LDAC scores, etc. to receive a scholarship?

I also have an additional question in regard to DAT preparation: What method or techniques would you suggest implementing when studying for the DAT? (I'm not sure if this question suits this forum, however any suggestions or tips are greatly appreciated.)

Thanks,
ROTC Cadet

Originally Posted by ROTC Cadet

Hello,

I'm an ROTC Cadet and a junior year of college. I'm also a biology major and plan on applying to dental school this summer after taking the DAT.

I have a few questions in regard application to dental school and the HPSP scholarship as a cadet.

1.) Are there any specific benefits or disadvantages of being a Cadet when applying for the HPSP? If so, what actions should I take to improve my chances of acceptance?

2.) Do you need to be accepted into dental school to receive a scholarship through HPSP? If not, where should I stand in regard to GPA, DAT scores, PT score, LDAC scores, etc. to receive a scholarship?

I also have an additional question in regard to DAT preparation: What method or techniques would you suggest implementing when studying for the DAT? (I'm not sure if this question suits this forum, however any suggestions or tips are greatly appreciated.)

Thanks,
ROTC Cadet

I am a fellow ROTC HPSP student so I will give you my opinion.
1) As far as getting the scholarship, it may give you a slight advantage, but the down side to being ROTC is that you cannot take advantage of any retention bonuses until you have fulfilled your initial commitment, which for me is 8 years (4 ROTC, 4 HPSP). Things may have changed since I applied 4 years ago, but at the time if you had a 3.7 overall GPA and a 19 on the DAT, you were automatically accepted for the HPSP as long as you got the paperwork in on time.

2) You do need a letter of acceptance to get the scholarship. LDAC doesn't help you in any way, but I'm sure it would hurt you if you totally tank it.

3) I used Kaplan and I thought it was totally worth the money, but other people do just fine studying on their own.

In summary, I would shoot for a 3.7, and better than a 19 on the DAT. Plan on getting all of your paper work done as early as possible, and don't suck at LDAC.

-Also in my case (and presumably yours), if I didn't get accepted into dental school immediately after graduation, I would have been commissioned as a 2nd LT into the Chemical Corps (not that there is anything wrong with that, just not how I would want to spend my time in the Army). The military doesn't just wait around for you to get in. They will find something for you to do. It turned out to be huge overkill, but I applied to 17 schools just to make sure I got in the first time.

Originally Posted by TuckyDent

I am a fellow ROTC HPSP student so I will give you my opinion.
1) As far as getting the scholarship, it may give you a slight advantage, but the down side to being ROTC is that you cannot take advantage of any retention bonuses until you have fulfilled your initial commitment, which for me is 8 years (4 ROTC, 4 HPSP). Things may have changed since I applied 4 years ago, but at the time if you had a 3.7 overall GPA and a 19 on the DAT, you were automatically accepted for the HPSP as long as you got the paperwork in on time.

2) You do need a letter of acceptance to get the scholarship. LDAC doesn't help you in any way, but I'm sure it would hurt you if you totally tank it.

3) I used Kaplan and I thought it was totally worth the money, but other people do just fine studying on their own.

In summary, I would shoot for a 3.7, and better than a 19 on the DAT. Plan on getting all of your paper work done as early as possible, and don't suck at LDAC.

-Also in my case (and presumably yours), if I didn't get accepted into dental school immediately after graduation, I would have been commissioned as a 2nd LT into the Chemical Corps (not that there is anything wrong with that, just not how I would want to spend my time in the Army). The military doesn't just wait around for you to get in. They will find something for you to do. It turned out to be huge overkill, but I applied to 17 schools just to make sure I got in the first time.

Thanks for the insight!

I have an addition question, though.

Do you still an opportunity to request for your top 3 branches in the event that you don't get into dental school? That is, if you don't get the Ed-delay (and thus, don't receive the HPSP), do you still have a say in which branch you get?

Thanks,
ROTC Cadet

You do have a say, depending on which branches you choose. I can't remember which ones were the most popular, but I picked them as my top 3, and Chemical Corps as 4. Be smart about which ones you list as your top choice if you don't expect to get into school.

Originally Posted by TuckyDent

You do have a say, depending on which branches you choose. I can't remember which ones were the most popular, but I picked them as my top 3, and Chemical Corps as 4. Be smart about which ones you list as your top choice if you don't expect to get into school.

If I had to pick 3 I would go with 1) MI 2) MSC 3) Log/quartermaster

Hello,

This past semester I received an AMEDD Internship as an ROTC cadet. After I complete LDAC this summer, I will then begin the internship at Ft. Lewis, Wash.

Has anyone completed this internship or has any personal experience with this program, be it as a cadet or an Army dentist?

Thanks,
ROTC Cadet

Originally Posted by ROTC Cadet

Hello,

This past semester I received an AMEDD Internship as an ROTC cadet. After I complete LDAC this summer, I will then begin the internship at Ft. Lewis, Wash.

Has anyone completed this internship or has any personal experience with this program, be it as a cadet or an Army dentist?

Thanks,
ROTC Cadet

Fort Lewis is a great location. They have both a 1 yr AEGD program there as well as an Oral Surgery program, so you will be able to see what those 2 post-grad training program are like. It will help you to have some back ground for when you have to decide what to do post-dental school.

How many letters of rec does the Army like to see for the HPSP? Can they be from any professional/teacher? Who should they be addressed to/contain ? Any links with more information

Originally Posted by Klueril

How many letters of rec does the Army like to see for the HPSP? Can they be from any professional/teacher? Who should they be addressed to/contain ? Any links with more information

There is no set criteria. I can tell you that from the HPSP board I was on - my personal opinion was that it comes down to how strong the letter was. If it was a generic...Billy was an "A" student in my Herpatology class - that was not as impressive as ... Susie was a research assistant with me for the past 3 years. She demonstrated....

Most HPSP are not going to have a dentist able to write a whole lot about them since they may have only shadowed them for a few weeks/months.

Your recruiter will be the best guide on how many letters you should submit and most of this info since they see which of the applicants they put forward get selected and what that person was able to offer.

So from what I've read I gather it is possible to change branches at the end of training or school?

Originally Posted by JojoMonosco

So from what I've read I gather it is possible to change branches at the end of training or school?

No. The only time you can change branches is when your obligation is completed - there is no opportunity before that.

So is ROTC a bad route?

If I do the Early Commissioning program at Georgia military college and graduate.

I'd have 8 years obligation. 2 years reserve at the University of Georgia and 4 reserve years at the Medical college of Georgia in their dentistry program (with HPSP). I'd be 25 years old by now.

That would leave me with 2 years of obligation. Now would that leave me at a disadvantage compared to other paths to military dentistry? Btw I'm broke. What bonuses would I lose out on?

Originally Posted by BQuad

Similar to Deep Impact's Navy thread.

If you have a question about Army Dentistry, drop a line and I'll try to answer to the best of my ability from my experience.

My tours so far:

Loma Linda - 4yr HPSP
Ft. Lewis- 1yr AEGD
Camp Casey, Korea- 1yr
Ft. Richardson, AK - 1yr
Camp Bucca, Iraq - Been here 8 months

I am a Loma Linda student, too. When did you do the AEGD at Fort Lewis. What did you think of your experience there?? Do you recommend any specific 1 year AEGD locations? I prefer west coast. I would also like to go to Seoul, Korea. Do you know how difficult it is to go there. I have heard that it is a bit difficult now. Where are the other bases in Korea? Are they worth going to?? How was Camp Casey? Do you plan to pursue any speciality training?? And did you volunteer for deployment or get assigned??

Originally Posted by luigi11209

So is ROTC a bad route?

If I do the Early Commissioning program at Georgia military college and graduate.

I'd have 8 years obligation. 2 years reserve at the University of Georgia and 4 reserve years at the Medical college of Georgia in their dentistry program (with HPSP). I'd be 25 years old by now.

That would leave me with 2 years of obligation. Now would that leave me at a disadvantage compared to other paths to military dentistry? Btw I'm broke. What bonuses would I lose out on?

It's all about money now or money later. If you know that you are going medical/dental my personal opinion is that you should avoid ROTC.

Going HPSP will give you a direct commission, so what is the benefit of 4 yrs in undergrad - do you become a better dental officer - will it affect career progression?

Doing ROTC or any other obligatory program prior to HPSP tacks on additional time that you will owe the military. This is not bad except for the fact that it will affect your pay. ROTC will not increase your salary - doesn't count towards pay, or retirement.

At current rates, every year of additional service you take on (besides HPSP) will reduce future earnings by $50k/yr for specialists ($100k for OMFS), and $20k for general dentists until your other obligations are fulfilled.

I wouldn't do it - but that's me.

Hi, I have not applied for an Army scholarship and am just about to start my fourth year of dental school. I am not planning on obtaining the scholarship before I graduate. I was wondering if the Army has a one year AEGD program that also provides some tuition payback. Thanks.

Originally Posted by bikerdmd

Hi, I have not applied for an Army scholarship and am just about to start my fourth year of dental school. I am not planning on obtaining the scholarship before I graduate. I was wondering if the Army has a one year AEGD program that also provides some tuition payback. Thanks.

The Army has several payback options - loan repayment, lump sum bonus, or a combination of both are options. The AEGD would only be open to you if you tried to get into a 1 yr AEGD this year. It is not available for "direct accessions" which is what you would fall under.

Post-graduate training is available to direct accessions, and will incur additional payback in addition to the obligation you would incur doing loan repaymet or lump sum bonus.

You can also look into the Army Reserve - their loan repayment ($250k) is actually better than that found in active duty ($160k), however there are no post graduate training programs available.

I am civilian with no ties to Army/Navy/Air Force. I am graduating and will be enrolling into a GPR in July.

My question is, if one was in my place and wanted to apply towards further specialty training within the Army is it even possible at this point? If so, what would I need to do to initiate the process and when should I begin (I would like to get a head start). If I initiated the application process towards specialty training in the Army but was not accepted in a desired field (Ortho, OMFS, etc.) what would happen next?

Would I be forced to serve as a GP? Would I be kicked out of the Army? Other?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Originally Posted by WannaBeDentist

I am civilian with no ties to Army/Navy/Air Force. I am graduating and will be enrolling into a GPR in July.

My question is, if one was in my place and wanted to apply towards further specialty training within the Army is it even possible at this point? If so, what would I need to do to initiate the process and when should I begin (I would like to get a head start). If I initiated the application process towards specialty training in the Army but was not accepted in a desired field (Ortho, OMFS, etc.) what would happen next?

Would I be forced to serve as a GP? Would I be kicked out of the Army? Other?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Specialty training selection happens every December. Therefore you would have to have your completed application submitted by November when the deadline is. You would need to speak with an Army healthcare recruiter to get the "ball rolling".

Coming in with no connections into the military is called coming in a 'direct accession'. You would be able to apply for many of the specialties as a direct accession, but not all. Usually the 2 yr AEGD, OMFS, Perio, and Prosth has been allowed in the past.

If you submit a packet and get selected you would have a certain amount of time afterwards in which to join. If you didn't they would give your spot away. If you didn't get selected and still joined then you would work as a GP and could apply again the next year with the full # of specialties available for you to apply to (including pedo, endo, ortho, publich health, pathology).

Is it worth it in terms of student loan repayment? Are you better off paying your loans working in a private practice immediately or not paying them back and working four years for the Army?

Originally Posted by Frank22

Is it worth it in terms of student loan repayment? Are you better off paying your loans working in a private practice immediately or not paying them back and working four years for the Army?

I'm not sure. The answer is different for each individual. I guess you should consider how much school will cost you, and whether you are willing to workin the the military for 4 yrs. Many people have provided their insight on the boards in regards to this question.

Originally Posted by Frank22

Is it worth it in terms of student loan repayment? Are you better off paying your loans working in a private practice immediately or not paying them back and working four years for the Army?

You'd need to get some definite numbers down on paper.

How much debt?
How much you plan on making on average as a civilian?
What are the bonus programs the military offers?

Once you do that then you can start determining the value of the bonuses.

Something else important to add is if you plan on trying to do a specialty or GPR. I've found, in my own calculations, that if you plan to do a longer residency and you have substantial debt (200k+), the military starts to look better and better.

The reason being that you earn a higher salary as a military resident than a civilian resident and you will have zero debt accruing interest. If your goal was to be a GP and start up ASAP after graduation and you carry limited debt; then in my investigation the military didn't seem as good, financially.

Originally Posted by teeth63a

You'd need to get some definite numbers down on paper.

How much debt?
How much you plan on making on average as a civilian?
What are the bonus programs the military offers?

Once you do that then you can start determining the value of the bonuses.

I am sorry but I am completely clueless about this process. So when I am ready to apply to dental school, what do I need to do to get into this program? Also I must serve for 4 years if I want my tuition to be fully covered? How much will I get paid/year, etc. Sorry but a simple explanation would be appreciated.

Also am i guaranteed to get the scholarship if I gain acceptance to a dental school?

http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/education/hpsp.html

A lot of other information about pay and obligation is covered in the threads.

I'm a retired Army dentist who is now in private practice in a great part of the country. My partner is retiring and I'd like to find a future former military dentist to join me (vet or retired). Without trying to make this sound like a "come-on", do you have any idea how to reach out to this group?

Originally Posted by twayne dds

I'm a retired Army dentist who is now in private practice in a great part of the country. My partner is retiring and I'd like to find a future former military dentist to join me (vet or retired). Without trying to make this sound like a "come-on", do you have any idea how to reach out to this group?

Sir-

Talk to the local Army/Navy/AF commanders in your area to see if any young dentists ETS'ing out are going to stay in the area.

Try posting in your local/city/county association publication specifying you're looking for a former military dentist.

Hope this helps.

I'm a junior ROTC cadet attempting to get into dental school in 2013. Right now I have a oGPA of 3.85 and a sGPA of 3.80 and I'm taking the DAT in about 2 weeks.

I also plan on applying for the HPSP scholarship.

Thoughts on my chances of getting the scholarship? Any suggestions on when to start the the application process for HPSP? Any tips or suggestions on the process in general?

Originally Posted by ROTC Cadet

I'm a junior ROTC cadet attempting to get into dental school in 2013. Right now I have a oGPA of 3.85 and a sGPA of 3.80 and I'm taking the DAT in about 2 weeks.

I also plan on applying for the HPSP scholarship.

Thoughts on my chances of getting the scholarship? Any suggestions on when to start the the application process for HPSP? Any tips or suggestions on the process in general?

Your chances are great. The toughest thing for you will be getting into school - if you get that, you should have a better chance then getting the scholarship with a combination of your ROTC experience and grades. The biggest key is getting your application in early. I would begin the process during the summer. You will be well ahead of the power curve on this. Your packet won't actually go before the board until January, but you like to get this stuff knocked out early in case their are unanticipated things you need to do.

One thing to realize is that with your ROTC obligation you will earn much less during the first half of your time in the Army. You will have a payback at a minimum of 8 yrs with the Army and you are not eligible to take multi-year retention bonuses until all your payback is completed (this means if you specialize it may be as much as 10-12 yrs before you can take it).

Originally Posted by SN1

I am sorry but I am completely clueless about this process. So when I am ready to apply to dental school, what do I need to do to get into this program? Also I must serve for 4 years if I want my tuition to be fully covered? How much will I get paid/year, etc. Sorry but a simple explanation would be appreciated.

Also am i guaranteed to get the scholarship if I gain acceptance to a dental school?

Same questions, any dentists in the canadian forces on the forum ?

Originally Posted by FlyingSky

Same questions, any dentists in the canadian forces on the forum ?

HPSP is only available for US Citizens. If you are Canadian, then unfortunately you are not eligible. If you have a green card you can consider joining the Army Reserves after you graduate and get loan repayment, but there is no scholarship available for dental school.

Is it too late for me to apply for the scholarship?
I'm starting my first year of dental school this Fall. What are my options?

Originally Posted by rpark42986

Is it too late for me to apply for the scholarship?
I'm starting my first year of dental school this Fall. What are my options?

Probably too late in the game for the 4 yr. If you get your application in now and are put on the waiting list, you may have a chance for the 3 yr scholarship in the Army. If you wait until next fall your chances of anything are slim/none.

Here's my stats.

PAT 19
QR 16
RC 20
Bio 20
GC 21
OC 21
TS 21
AA 20

oGPA: 3.85
sGPA: 3.80

65 Hours of Shadowing.

Thoughts on chances of getting HPSP?

Suggestions on schools to apply to?
(I've already decided on Temple and Pitt. I'm a Pennsylvania resident.)

Thanks

Originally Posted by ROTC Cadet

Here's my stats.

PAT 19
QR 16
RC 20
Bio 20
GC 21
OC 21
TS 21
AA 20

oGPA: 3.85
sGPA: 3.80

65 Hours of Shadowing.

Thoughts on chances of getting HPSP?

Suggestions on schools to apply to?
(I've already decided on Temple and Pitt. I'm a Pennsylvania resident.)

Thanks

Recommend starting a new thread with this question.

Originally Posted by ROTC Cadet

Here's my stats.

PAT 19
QR 16
RC 20
Bio 20
GC 21
OC 21
TS 21
AA 20

oGPA: 3.85
sGPA: 3.80

65 Hours of Shadowing.

Thoughts on chances of getting HPSP?

Suggestions on schools to apply to?
(I've already decided on Temple and Pitt. I'm a Pennsylvania resident.)

Thanks

I'm not in a position to know, but for whatever it's worth, I think you'll be just fine. 20 is a decent dat score, and your gpa is top notch. No sweat. Just get on top of everything as early as possible (for HPSP and for dental school).

Originally Posted by hellopeople

I'm not in a position to know, but for whatever it's worth, I think you'll be just fine. 20 is a decent dat score, and your gpa is top notch. No sweat. Just get on top of everything as early as possible (for HPSP and for dental school).

I just received a letter from the 2012 specialty board that I was selected for the 2 yr AEGD! Let me know if you have Qs!

Anyone else heard back about specialty selection for 2012? Is no news the same as bad news?

Originally Posted by ALTOSS

I just received a letter from the 2012 specialty board that I was selected for the 2 yr AEGD! Let me know if you have Qs!

Congrats! I was selected for the 2 year as well. Any idea when we'll hear about the 1 year? Also do you recommend the 2 over the 1? I really have no interest in specializing (ie Endo, OMFS... etc) and want to learn a lot about general dentistry so I've heard the 2 year is better in that regard but would love to know your opinion.

Originally Posted by cgood

Congrats! I was selected for the 2 year as well. Any idea when we'll hear about the 1 year? Also do you recommend the 2 over the 1? I really have no interest in specializing (ie Endo, OMFS... etc) and want to learn a lot about general dentistry so I've heard the 2 year is better in that regard but would love to know your opinion.

Well IMHO, btw 1 and 2 yr aegd, 1 more yr is a small price to pay for what you d get, whether you intent to stay in the military later or not. If you want to specialize later, then it s a bit different story, though. W 2 yr, you get more experience, adv degree, better pay, board cert, more recognition and control, flexibility of picking cases in the clinic, less chance of deployment (relatively speaking, although somewhat controversial), etc, just to list a few. These are what I discovered through talking to many dental officers at various levels of command, and during my externships. If you have other thoughts, or I have some misconceptions, let me know. I d love to know what others think.

I agree, that's along the same lines of what I've heard, thanks for the verification. I just noticed it said we start July 2014, do you know what we do for the time in between? I graduate May 2013 and I'm assuming you are as well.

Originally Posted by cgood

I agree, that's along the same lines of what I've heard, thanks for the verification. I just noticed it said we start July 2014, do you know what we do for the time in between? I graduate May 2013 and I'm assuming you are as well.

We ll probably go to that base some time this summer (after oblc) and work as a 63A until the program starts. Since I finished my training bf d school I may try to walk the earth bf I start working.

Originally Posted by cgood

I agree, that's along the same lines of what I've heard, thanks for the verification. I just noticed it said we start July 2014, do you know what we do for the time in between? I graduate May 2013 and I'm assuming you are as well.

You will go to the base where you will train at and work as a general dentist.

Thanks for the info. Do you happen to know if the year before we start the AEGD happens to count as a year of payback towards our 4 year commitment? For example: we pay pack 1 year before the residency, attend 2 years of AEGD, then owe 3 additional years afterwards for a total of 6 or do we owe 4 after the residency for a total of 7? I've read over and over that the 2 year AEGD is 4+2 years for a total of 6, it's just the year before starting the AEGD that is confusing me.

Originally Posted by cgood

Thanks for the info. Do you happen to know if this year before happens to count as a year of payback towards our 4 year commitment? For example: we pay pack 1 year before the residency, attend 2 years of AEGD, then owe 3 additional years afterwards for a total of 6 or do we owe 4 after the residency for a total of 7?

Each day we are not in training should count toward the payback.

Originally Posted by ALTOSS

Each day we are not in training should count toward the payback.

Correct