Ask an Army Dentist

[umkcdds]

Hey guys, i am thinking if it is really worth to do the real residency(endo, perio etc..) in the army and then pay them back the time. I don't think army residency is that reputable other than you got paid while in the residency. I mean, they said it is the best time to apply right now since we are so short on people. I mean, i am not the kinda of guy that can't live without being a specialist. I just would like to leave my options open. i mean, i am pretty fed up with the army life right now. Just some thoughts that want to discuss with everyone here. Any comments?

an army endo resident will perform roughly twice the amount of endo as any civilian resident - and they do it will all the most up-to-date equipment and techniques. no expense is spared. the same goes for ortho and pros - army residents in those areas get about twice the experience as any civilian resident.

army omfs residents perform more orthognathic surgeries than any other residency program in the country.

the FACT is that, not only do you not pay tuition, but you get paid $80K+ dollars a year as a resident, but you get more experience and have better equipment than any civilian residency.

army residencies have tons of money available to them, and the patients don't pay for anything, so you never miss out of doing a surgery or a procedure because a patient can't afford it.

yes, you have to payback time afterwards. is it worth it? i guess that is up to each individual to decide. i say "yes."

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[cjf]

Just asking a general question for all army health professionals.

How likely are you to get deployed to a war zone like Iraq?

 

[HawkeyeDDS]

Just asking a general question for all army health professionals.

How likely are you to get deployed to a war zone like Iraq?

Just assume you are going, and if not consider yourself lucky. It's easier that way. Unless you are an Orthodontist which don't deploy, you potentially will go as a general dentist. Even specialists get put into general dentist slots, not common, but it does happen.

I'll be there in two weeks so I'll let you know if it's bad or not.

PS I would rather go to Iraq than try to avoid it. It's not worth the worry. All you have to do is volunteer for the 6 month deployments and just get it over with. I'd give my left nut for the 6 month deployements they have now. I'm just lucky I guess 12+ months of sunshine and sand.

 

[krmower]

Just asking a general question for all army health professionals.

How likely are you to get deployed to a war zone like Iraq?

I'd say 20-40% chance with current deployments. Several years from now - hopefully much less.

 

[Single Mom DDS]

Just asking a general question for all army health professionals.

How likely are you to get deployed to a war zone like Iraq?

Assume that everyone gets deployed and you'll be better off by volunteering to go to Iraq or Afghanistan as volunteers only have to stay 6 months, whereas non-volunteers get punished with a 15 month deployment. That's why everyone wants to volunteer for deployment and has to wait a year or two before they get deployed.

 

[umkcdds]

Assume that everyone gets deployed and you'll be better off by volunteering to go to Iraq or Afghanistan as volunteers only have to stay 6 months, whereas non-volunteers get punished with a 15 month deployment. That's why everyone wants to volunteer for deployment and has to wait a year or two before they get deployed.

volunteering for a PROFIS deployment will only get you out of doing another PROFIS deployment. if you change units to an MTOE unit (division slot) they don't care if you've just returned from a deoployment 6 months earlier. so you have to be a bit careful about volunteering.
this can happen if you PCS shortly after returning from a PROFIS deployment and end up going to an MTOE unit. it can also happen if you are assigned to the DENTAC, then the division at that location needs a dentist. they can take you away from the DENTAC to move you to a division slot if there is one that needs to be filled.
it has happened many times.

 

[jmick101]

an army endo resident will perform roughly twice the amount of endo as any civilian resident - and they do it will all the most up-to-date equipment and techniques. no expense is spared. the same goes for ortho and pros - army residents in those areas get about twice the experience as any civilian resident.

army omfs residents perform more orthognathic surgeries than any other residency program in the country.

the FACT is that, not only do you not pay tuition, but you get paid $80K+ dollars a year as a resident, but you get more experience and have better equipment than any civilian residency.

army residencies have tons of money available to them, and the patients don't pay for anything, so you never miss out of doing a surgery or a procedure because a patient can't afford it.

yes, you have to payback time afterwards. is it worth it? i guess that is up to each individual to decide. i say "yes."

.

 

[deadjaw]

I am a second year dental student with a four year ARMY HPSP obligation. My questions are: How much will I make directly after dental school? For the four year HPSP scholarship, does the AEGD program count as a year if I participate, making my total active olbigation after the one year program only three years (four total). I apologize for the redundancy if this question was already asked. Thanks.

 

[eric275]

I am a second year dental student with a four year ARMY HPSP obligation. My questions are: How much will I make directly after dental school? For the four year HPSP scholarship, does the AEGD program count as a year if I participate, making my total active olbigation after the one year program only three years (four total). I apologize for the redundancy if this question was already asked. Thanks.

0-3 pay with < 2years is $3407/month on the 2008 paychart.

So for clarification the pays you get are:
Base Pay:$3407/month = $40,884/yr
BAS: $202/month = $2424/yr (Basic Allowance for Subsistence)
BAH: ~$1375/month (CONUS average) this can be as high as $2000+/month depending on your duty zip code. Also note that this pay is non-taxed dollars and can be more if your married. = ~$16,500 to $24,000 depnding on zip code. (Basic Allowance for Housing)
VSP: $3,000/yr (Variable Special Pay)
ASP: $10,000/yr (Additional Special Pay)

So your gross income range will be between ~$72,808 and $80,308 depending on your duty station zip code.

Your time in an AEGD does not count towards payback, it is a neutral year, meaing that if you are on a 4 year HPSP scholarship and do an AEGD you would end up serving 5 years before you can get out.

 

[deadjaw]

Thank you very much, eric275

 

[benko]

Hi, I've been looking through the forum for a while now, and was hoping to get some advice. This basically boils down to a "what are my chances" question. (I posted this in the Navy forum as well, but would love to hear what some Army dentists have to say.)

I'm currently a Marine MV-22 Osprey pilot with a couple of years left on my commitment. My undergraduate degree was in Criminology (i.e. very light in science) from a state school with a 3.3 GPA. A few months ago, I managed to knock out 3 credit hours of physics with an A- at a community college between tours to Iraq, but it was rough. Even while we're back stateside for around 6-9 months between deployments, we're constantly flying all over the place to get ready for the next one or working 70+ hour weeks at home, so taking science classes with a lab is tough, but it can be done. Looking at my timeline, I would be in a position to have all of my prereqs done and apply to dental school right around the time I would have to make a decision on whether to stay until my military retirement or go back to school.

Do I have a legitimate shot at being accepted with my undergrad GPA and ~3.5 in my prereqs (although I took the physics at a community college, I have the ability to knock most of them out at a four-year university). I rarely see my family as it is now, without killing myself further with evening and weekend classes during my few months at home. If my chances are legitimate, however, I (and the family) would be willing to make that time sacrifice. For what it's worth, I love the military and would want to re-enter as a army/navy dentist upon graduation. Please let me know what you think. Thanks.

 

[jmick101]

Hi, I've been looking through the forum for a while now, and was hoping to get some advice. This basically boils down to a "what are my chances" question. (I posted this in the Navy forum as well, but would love to hear what some Army dentists have to say.)

I'm currently a Marine MV-22 Osprey pilot with a couple of years left on my commitment. My undergraduate degree was in Criminology (i.e. very light in science) from a state school with a 3.3 GPA. A few months ago, I managed to knock out 3 credit hours of physics with an A- at a community college between tours to Iraq, but it was rough. Even while we're back stateside for around 6-9 months between deployments, we're constantly flying all over the place to get ready for the next one or working 70+ hour weeks at home, so taking science classes with a lab is tough, but it can be done. Looking at my timeline, I would be in a position to have all of my prereqs done and apply to dental school right around the time I would have to make a decision on whether to stay until my military retirement or go back to school.

Do I have a legitimate shot at being accepted with my undergrad GPA and ~3.5 in my prereqs (although I took the physics at a community college, I have the ability to knock most of them out at a four-year university). I rarely see my family as it is now, without killing myself further with evening and weekend classes during my few months at home. If my chances are legitimate, however, I (and the family) would be willing to make that time sacrifice. For what it's worth, I love the military and would want to re-enter as a army/navy dentist upon graduation. Please let me know what you think. Thanks.

GPA is fine, the only question is the DAT. If you get a decent DAT score (20) then you should be fine. Get accepted to a dental school, and you are pretty much assured getting the HPSP.

By the way, check out the pre-dents forum. Lots of good information there. Good luck.

 

[ALTOSS]

I am a second year dental student with a four year ARMY HPSP obligation. My questions are: How much will I make directly after dental school? For the four year HPSP scholarship, does the AEGD program count as a year if I participate, making my total active olbigation after the one year program only three years (four total). I apologize for the redundancy if this question was already asked. Thanks.

Hi, I'm interested in the Army HPSP and I have a few questions.

• Do you get paid from the Army while you're not in school (i.e. during school breaks)?
• Do you need to actually serve anytime during d school? (Here, I am referring to the 45 day active duty requirement)
• Suppose you have no other income except the HPSP allowance, how much tax do you actually pay and keep the rest?
• My recruiter tells me that once I get stationed in the US, I can stay there for 4 full years if I like it. Is this true?

Thanks in advance!

 

[krmower]

Hi, I'm interested in the Army HPSP and I have a few questions.

• Do you get paid from the Army while you're not in school (i.e. during school breaks)?
• Do you need to actually serve anytime during d school? (Here, I am referring to the 45 day active duty requirement)
• Suppose you have no other income except the HPSP allowance, how much tax do you actually pay and keep the rest?
• My recruiter tells me that once I get stationed in the US, I can stay there for 4 full years if I like it. Is this true?

Thanks in advance!

- You do get paid during breaks while on HPSP. You get the stipend for 10.5 months, and you get the active duty pay as a 2nd lieutenant for 1.5 months. I strongly recommend doing the externships during the summers or other times when you can take off for 3 weeks - the insight you gain will help a lot.

- You do not need to serve any time during school - but I would recommend it. Pick a base you want to visit (in the US), or a program you want to check out (Oral Surgery, Perio, etc...) and go there for 3-6 weeks.

- Tax paid depends on your W-2 and income tax laws. You should get your W-2 towards the end of January. Get turbo tax and it will help you see if you pay anything.

- If you only come in for 4 years and do not do any training then you will normally only be at that one base. If you do not like the base they will normally not move you until you have been there at least 2 years. If you do any training you will be there for the length of the program, and when it is done move somewhere else.

 

[kimnewcom]

i grew up in south korea and i still speak korean quite fluently.
you think i can spend my 4yrs in s. korea?

 

[krmower]

i grew up in south korea and i still speak korean quite fluently.
you think i can spend my 4yrs in s. korea?

Nothing is guarenteed, but I would say you would have a very good chance at it.

 

[ALTOSS]

- You do get paid during breaks while on HPSP. You get the stipend for 10.5 months, and you get the active duty pay as a 2nd lieutenant for 1.5 months. I strongly recommend doing the externships during the summers or other times when you can take off for 3 weeks - the insight you gain will help a lot.

- You do not need to serve any time during school - but I would recommend it. Pick a base you want to visit (in the US), or a program you want to check out (Oral Surgery, Perio, etc...) and go there for 3-6 weeks.

- Tax paid depends on your W-2 and income tax laws. You should get your W-2 towards the end of January. Get turbo tax and it will help you see if you pay anything.

- If you only come in for 4 years and do not do any training then you will normally only be at that one base. If you do not like the base they will normally not move you until you have been there at least 2 years. If you do any training you will be there for the length of the program, and when it is done move somewhere else.

Wow, thank you for the awesome info!

To follow up on my previous question, do you think that doing AEGD would then make me to be deployed almost "mandatorily"? I mean, do you think my AEGD cert would somehow make my chances higher to be deployed? What about 3-residencies such as endo and ortho? And also, I have an x-army officer friend just got discharged (not a dentist) tells me I'd need to serve in either iraq or elsewhere in the middle east. How truthful is his opinion for dentists, do you think (after about 4 years)?

Thank you in advance!!!

 

[krmower]

Wow, thank you for the awesome info!

To follow up on my previous question, do you think that doing AEGD would then make me to be deployed almost "mandatorily"? I mean, do you think my AEGD cert would somehow make my chances higher to be deployed? What about 3-residencies such as endo and ortho? And also, I have an x-army officer friend just got discharged (not a dentist) tells me I'd need to serve in either iraq or elsewhere in the middle east. How truthful is his opinion for dentists, do you think (after about 4 years)?

Thank you in advance!!!

Ortho and Public Health dentists have not deployed yet. Other specialties can deploy for 6 months. Very few 1 and 2 year AEGD dentists can deploy for 12 months (most will go for 6 months).

If you do a 2 year AEGD your chance of deploying is less - they will take more general dentists than comprehensive dentists (2-year AEGD) - at least a 1:3 ration). Your chance of deploying as a Comprehensive dentist is more than other specialists. If you do a 1-year AEGD I am not sure if you are more likely to deploy than someone who hasn't done one. I know your chance of being assigned to a field unit as their dentist is a little higher - but remember there are not as many of those kind of slots as the regular clinic slots.

My class that I did the 2-yr program with had 4 dentists. We finished 5 years ago, and only 1 has deployed. Dentists deploy much less frequently, or for as long than non-medical Soldiers.

I would not let any of that be the deciding factor on whether I applied for a program or not. If you do the training, and end up getting out of the military you will be a much more productive, and competent dentist then if you didn't. Invest in your future.

 

[xhamburgersamx]

Is there an interviewing process to get the ARMY HSPS or is it all an application process?

 

[Hawk2thDoc]

an army endo resident will perform roughly twice the amount of endo as any civilian resident - and they do it will all the most up-to-date equipment and techniques. no expense is spared. the same goes for ortho and pros - army residents in those areas get about twice the experience as any civilian resident.



Wow, did you believe every word the recruiters told you? After having interviewed at 11 endo residencies, accepted to six, and knowing very well two Army endodontists that recently went through the Army programs (one at Bragg and one at Gordon) I would say that the Army residencies are about average as far as the number of cases, definitly not twice as much as the average. A resident at one program I interviewed at said average in his program was over 500 non-surgical cases, most other programs average about 200-250. You probably would get more experience at Bragg than at most civilian residencies, but Gordon I would say is average is far as non-surgical cases. Every program is different, having both strengths and weaknesses. For a lot of programs the biggest weakness is the number of surgeries, others research, others have old facilities. Ft Gordons endo clinic is as nice as any of the civilian programs I toured, and far nicer than some of the programs. Ft Bragg's endo clinic was recently remodeled, so I am sure it is very nice as well. As far as equipment, most programs had all the file systems to try, Obtura, System B, etc, so I don't think there is much difference between any of the programs along those lines. Some programs do have old, crappy scopes though. The biggest advantage the Army residents have is having your own operatory and full time assistant. Many civilian residents have to switch operatories and some programs have more residents than operatories. Most civilian programs only provide an assistant for surgeries.

Don't mean to burst your bubble, but the Army endo programs aren't quite as amazing as you make them sound. However, I would have been more than happy to attend one of the Army residencies, as I think they are definitely good programs.

 

[kimnewcom]

i will be attending NYU next year, but
since NYU is more expensive than other schools,
1. does that mean i have less chance to get a scholarship from you guys?
2. lower salary than other dentists who attended less expensive school?

i was also wondering how the whole process of residency for any specialties work.
3. after 4yrs of dental school, where do i do the residency? the schools i
apply to and get the residency position or on a base where i get
deployed.
4. if i do the residency at the school that i apply to and get the position,
---does the scholarship pay for the tuition during the residency years?
5. if i do the residency on the base where i get deployed,
---do i get my specialty dgree from Army or the institution that the
base's residency program is affiliated?

finally, when,where, and how do i apply for the scholarship?

 

[umkcdds]

i will be attending NYU next year, but
since NYU is more expensive than other schools,
1. does that mean i have less chance to get a scholarship from you guys?
2. lower salary than other dentists who attended less expensive school?

i was also wondering how the whole process of residency for any specialties work.
3. after 4yrs of dental school, where do i do the residency? the schools i
apply to and get the residency position or on a base where i get
deployed.
4. if i do the residency at the school that i apply to and get the position,
---does the scholarship pay for the tuition during the residency years?
5. if i do the residency on the base where i get deployed,
---do i get my specialty dgree from Army or the institution that the
base's residency program is affiliated?

finally, when,where, and how do i apply for the scholarship?

1. no, the cost of your school has no bearing on your acceptance into HPSP.
2. not sure exactly what you are asking, but in the military, you would get paid the same as every other dentist right out of school.
3. i can't speak for how it will be in four years, because things change, but as it is today, if you were in HPSP, the Army would not let you attend a civilian speacialty program. if you were selected for an Army specialty, you go where they assign you based on the list of available locations. you would not do specialty training if deployed.
4. if for some reason the Army were to let you attend a civilian specialty program, the Army would pay for it, but you would incur more of an active duty service obligation - one year for one year.
5. completing a residency does not give you an additional degree. however, all Army specialty programs are ADA accredited and receive the same priveleges as any civilian programs. you get a certificate stating that you completed the residency and can become board certified. Army specialty programs are among the best training in the world, bar none.

you apply for the HPSP by contacting a local Army healthcare recruiter. you could contact any recruiting station and those recruiters can put you in touch with the healthcare team.

 

[ALTOSS]

1. no, the cost of your school has no bearing on your acceptance into HPSP.
2. not sure exactly what you are asking, but in the military, you would get paid the same as every other dentist right out of school.
3. i can't speak for how it will be in four years, because things change, but as it is today, if you were in HPSP, the Army would not let you attend a civilian speacialty program. if you were selected for an Army specialty, you go where they assign you based on the list of available locations. you would not do specialty training if deployed.
4. if for some reason the Army were to let you attend a civilian specialty program, the Army would pay for it, but you would incur more of an active duty service obligation - one year for one year.
5. completing a residency does not give you an additional degree. however, all Army specialty programs are ADA accredited and receive the same priveleges as any civilian programs. you get a certificate stating that you completed the residency and can become board certified. Army specialty programs are among the best training in the world, bar none.

you apply for the HPSP by contacting a local Army healthcare recruiter. you could contact any recruiting station and those recruiters can put you in touch with the healthcare team.

Hi,

I heard that if I take the Army HPSP, then I will not be able to get into Air Force specialty programs or vice versa. Is this true?

If so, do you think that getting a specialty program slot (i.e. ortho, endo, etc) with the Army is less competitive than say, the Air Force because the Army is bigger and has more slots available? I am torn between Army HPSP and Air Force HPSP, and this would be a tie breaker. Any thoughts?

 

[krmower]

Hi,

I heard that if I take the Army HPSP, then I will not be able to get into Air Force specialty programs or vice versa. Is this true?

If so, do you think that getting a specialty program slot (i.e. ortho, endo, etc) with the Army is less competitive than say, the Air Force because the Army is bigger and has more slots available? I am torn between Army HPSP and Air Force HPSP, and this would be a tie breaker. Any thoughts?

You are correct - whichever service you go with - that is the service you will train with. There are a few tri-service programs - but those have reserved spots for each service.

If you are at the top of your class your chance of specializing may be high regardless of the service you go with.

However, the Army has the most specialty training slots. Send me your email and I can send you the last 2 years of specialty applicants and acceptees.

 

[Armydoctobe]

I have a question. I am currently a doctor, and am starting dental school next year. I know I want to do a fellowship in oral maxillofacial surgery after dental school. Would my chances for doing a maxillofacial surgery fellowship be better in or out of the army?

 

[krmower]

I have a question. I am currently a doctor, and am starting dental school next year. I know I want to do a fellowship in oral maxillofacial surgery after dental school. Would my chances for doing a maxillofacial surgery fellowship be better in or out of the army?

I would say in the Army. The reason for this is that last the last 3 years you have had between 17-19 people applying for 10 slots. That is a around a 53%-56% acceptance rate. With the last board 1/2 of the new Oral Surgeons selected were dental students. With your background as an MD, decent board scores and GPA - I would think your chance is better than most.

I am not sure what the selection rate is like on the outside - I am sure someone from your OS Dept at school could clue you in.

 

[drpapaya]

What are the chances of the Army training a dentist to do another job?
If the dentist is forced to do another job outside of the dental field, will the dentist's income stay fixed as a dentist's income?
What are the chances of me being based in Japan with no knowledge of the language?
Are we forced into combat?
How is the training compared to Navy and AF?

 

[drpapaya]

Joining the army sounds very restricted. Will we be allowed to mix with civilians on a day to day basis? This is especially important for bachelors.

 

[umkcdds]

Joining the army sounds very restricted. Will we be allowed to mix with civilians on a day to day basis? This is especially important for bachelors.

no. you are not allowed to come in contact with civilians.

























J/K. yes. most dentists that i know live off-post.

 

[drpapaya]

no. you are not allowed to come in contact with civilians.

























J/K. yes. most dentists that i know live off-post.

Hi could you also answer the post above that one as well please?

 

[umkcdds]

What are the chances of the Army training a dentist to do another job?
If the dentist is forced to do another job outside of the dental field, will the dentist's income stay fixed as a dentist's income?
What are the chances of me being based in Japan with no knowledge of the language?
Are we forced into combat?
How is the training compared to Navy and AF?

chances of doing another job? zero.

going to japan without speaking japanese? the lack of speaking that language would not prevent you from going to japan. does the army even have dentists stationed in japan anymore? not sure. if they do it isn't many.

forced into combat? well, everyone in the army is a soldier first, but the answer is not likely.

 

[drpapaya]

Does anyone have acceptance ratios of matched Army applicants to civilian and non-civilian residencies for the past few years?

 

[ALTOSS]

Hi, a quick question. Would the time served during you're on HPSP as reserves and 45day active duty count toward the longevity for compensation purposes (of course NOT toward the service obligation requirement), or would the time start ticking when I start my active duty as captain? Thanks!

 

[krmower]

Hi, a quick question. Would the time served during you're on HPSP as reserves and 45day active duty count toward the longevity for compensation purposes (of course NOT toward the service obligation requirement), or would the time start ticking when I start my active duty as captain? Thanks!

Time while on HPSP does not count towards anything. Even the time you are on the 45 day active duty. It's in the contract - it's unfortunate.

 

[Hawk2thDoc]

There are Army dentists in Japan, as well as Navy. I know both Army and Navy dentists currently stationed there. The odds of getting stationed there are completely dependant on someone leaving there when you want to go there. If they have only two spots for Army dentists there, and those spots are filled, the no luck. You need to contact the assignments officer to find out when there will be an opening and get your name in early.

 

[DrEagleMike]

What is a field unit? Is it not like being stationed at a base? ... you can be placed in like a small "camp site"?

Also, What is life like as a dentist when you're deployed? You can't bring your wife/kids.. so you sleep in a cot and live in a tent/room with all the other soldiers and shower in a large community-like (or high school like) room with everyone, as if you're a single? OR, hopefully, you get your private room and space?

 

[umkcdds]

Does anyone have acceptance ratios of matched Army applicants to civilian and non-civilian residencies for the past few years?

the army does not participate in match or pass. if you are in the army, you go to an army residency, not a civilian one.

some years ago, if you were an hpsp dental student, you could apply to a civilian residency, and if you were accepted, you could get an education delay to go to that residency, then go onto active duty afterwards (with an additional ADSO for that residency.) today, the army needs dentists too badly, so that will not be approved.

 

[umkcdds]

What is a field unit? Is it not like being stationed at a base? ... you can be placed in like a small "camp site"?

Also, What is life like as a dentist when you're deployed? You can't bring your wife/kids.. so you sleep in a cot and live in a tent/room with all the other soldiers and shower in a large community-like (or high school like) room with everyone, as if you're a single? OR, hopefully, you get your private room and space?

the living conditions all depend on what type of unit you are with and where you are deployed to. the answer might be yes, or it might be no. could go either way.

 

[ALTOSS]

the living conditions all depend on what type of unit you are with and where you are deployed to. the answer might be yes, or it might be no. could go either way.

A question: but if that's the case, then getting a residency as an HPSP student seems much more competitive than regular d students assuming the same GPA and other credentials, because now you're stuck with only one "school" to apply to, wouldn't it? Even more so if non-HPSP students also get to apply to the Army residency programs! It sounds just too restricted...

 

[ALTOSS]

the army does not participate in match or pass. if you are in the army, you go to an army residency, not a civilian one.

some years ago, if you were an hpsp dental student, you could apply to a civilian residency, and if you were accepted, you could get an education delay to go to that residency, then go onto active duty afterwards (with an additional ADSO for that residency.) today, the army needs dentists too badly, so that will not be approved.

A question: but if that's the case, then getting a residency as an HPSP student seems much more competitive than regular d students assuming the same GPA and other credentials, because now you're stuck with only one "school" to apply to, wouldn't it? Even more so if non-HPSP students also get to apply to the Army residency programs! It sounds just too restricted...

 

[umkcdds]

A question: but if that's the case, then getting a residency as an HPSP student seems much more competitive than regular d students assuming the same GPA and other credentials, because now you're stuck with only one "school" to apply to, wouldn't it? Even more so if non-HPSP students also get to apply to the Army residency programs! It sounds just too restricted...

not really, but it depends on the residency you want to apply for. it is virtually impossible to get into pedo, endo or ortho, in the army, right out of school.
with OMS you probably have about a 50% chance (because there are less applicants). i don't remember the numbers for pros, but it is probably about the same. stats and board scores that would get you into a civilian program would probably be needed to get into OMS or pros in the army.
if you want to do an 1- or 2-year AEGD in the army, you can. i think there were less applicants than positions available for both of those.

 

[ALTOSS]

not really, but it depends on the residency you want to apply for. it is virtually impossible to get into pedo, endo or ortho, in the army, right out of school.
with OMS you probably have about a 50% chance (because there are less applicants). i don't remember the numbers for pros, but it is probably about the same. stats and board scores that would get you into a civilian program would probably be needed to get into OMS or pros in the army.
if you want to do an 1- or 2-year AEGD in the army, you can. i think there were less applicants than positions available for both of those.

Awesome response! Thank you.

Some follow up questions, though:

1. Why is endo, pedo, & ortho so difficult to get into right out of d school? Is it b/c it's just competitive? Is this a recent trend? If those programs are that competitive, then what should you do to get one (such as research, AEGD)?

2. Why is OMFS relatively "easier" than the above specialties? Why is there a less # of applicants? From what I know getting an OMFS spot outside military is just as competitive.

3. Why would 2yr AEGD incur 2 yr obligation, as opposed to 1yr, which is considered a neutral year? I know you would learn more in the 2 yr program, but is it really more "comprehensive" as the military advertises? Do you think it's worth it, considering possible 3 more years (i.e. additional 1 yr of AEGD + 2 yr obligation) in the military? I also heard that 2yr AEGD in the military is awesome if you're planning to stay, but outside it's doesn't matter much. Is this true?

I know it's a chunk of questions, but please let me know!

 

[tristis]

I have some questions..
sorry if they were asked before

1. Could you tell me the Dental office/base locations within the US?
i know there is one in DC, and west pt..

2. is it possible to stay at one base?

3. according to the speaker that came to my school, he said that aobut 95% of his recruits went to their 1st or 2nd choice. how likely is it to stay at one base for all 3 or 4 years?


thank you so much for all your help!

btw what is the deadline to sign up? how long before the school starts?

 

[xhamburgersamx]

I'd also like to ask another question about stationing. If I were to get married to another Army Dentist, would it be guaranteed that we would be stationed together?

Also, are tours to Iraq or Afgan mandatory? I read on other threads that people volunteer for 6-15 month tours? Is this really true?

 

[krmower]

I'd also like to ask another question about stationing. If I were to get married to another Army Dentist, would it be guaranteed that we would be stationed together?

Also, are tours to Iraq or Afgan mandatory? I read on other threads that people volunteer for 6-15 month tours? Is this really true?

If you marry another Army (or military) dentist there is a program to keep you together. Now this may mean that if you were in Germany - you could be at one clinic, and your spouse could be at a different clinic 30 miles away - but they would keep you close - usually at the same base.

Recently with the new 6 month tours they have gotten a lot of volunteers. The 15 month tours are gone now that the surge is done - they are now 12 month tours and they are rare - most people do not volunteer for that assignment.

 

[krmower]

I have some questions..
sorry if they were asked before

1. Could you tell me the Dental office/base locations within the US?
i know there is one in DC, and west pt..

2. is it possible to stay at one base?

3. according to the speaker that came to my school, he said that aobut 95% of his recruits went to their 1st or 2nd choice. how likely is it to stay at one base for all 3 or 4 years?



thank you so much for all your help!

btw what is the deadline to sign up? how long before the school starts?

1) too many locations to name - I would do a google search for Army bases. There are actually 1 in DC, 3 in northern VA, and 3 in southern Md.

2) If you go to a base as a general dentist you will be there for 3-4 years. If you do a 4 year HPSP you will stay there the whole time unless: a) you go there for training (AEGD or specialty) - if you do that you will move as soon as the post-grad training is done b) You really screw up and piss someone off extremely bad

3) This may be the case if you request to go to one of the large bases. If you ask to go to a certain region i.e. North East, South East, Texas (big enough to be a region), West, Europe, Asia - they can probably do it. If you request to go to a particular base that is small to medium - it will be much more difficult and unlikely you will get it. The key is to be flexible. Usually what will happen is they will tell you 3 different choices and you pick - you can always ask what else they may have, but certain locations have a higher need to fill than others and those must be filled first.

4) There is no deadline - new applications are processed all the time.

 

[krmower]

Awesome response! Thank you.

Some follow up questions, though:

1. Why is endo, pedo, & ortho so difficult to get into right out of d school? Is it b/c it's just competitive? Is this a recent trend? If those programs are that competitive, then what should you do to get one (such as research, AEGD)?

2. Why is OMFS relatively "easier" than the above specialties? Why is there a less # of applicants? From what I know getting an OMFS spot outside military is just as competitive.

3. Why would 2yr AEGD incur 2 yr obligation, as opposed to 1yr, which is considered a neutral year? I know you would learn more in the 2 yr program, but is it really more "comprehensive" as the military advertises? Do you think it's worth it, considering possible 3 more years (i.e. additional 1 yr of AEGD + 2 yr obligation) in the military? I also heard that 2yr AEGD in the military is awesome if you're planning to stay, but outside it's doesn't matter much. Is this true?

I know it's a chunk of questions, but please let me know!

1) Pedo and Ortho are competative because the Army just doesn't need them as much and Ortho is very popular/competative. Endo has many spots, but it is competative/popular.

2) If I had to guess about OMFS I would say it is because of the commitment. If you get into an Army OMFS program, the soonest you could get out is 8 years (4 years program + 4 years payback). Some people don't like that type of obligation.

3) The 2 year AEGD has a 2 year obligation because you attend 2 years of the program. The 1 year only has 1 year payback and is seperate from the 2 year program. Having been through the 2 year program, I can tell you that I have the ability to do more than I could have had I not done the program. Obviously that means in private practice I would refer less patients out and I would be a more productive dentist. If I had to do it over again I would still do the 2 year over the 1 year.

 

[Lifetime2Drill]

krmower,

What is the chance that I will be able to get a base that is small but unpopular (such as Fort Drum)?

Thanks.

 

[krmower]

krmower,

What is the chance that I will be able to get a base that is small but unpopular (such as Fort Drum)?

Thanks.

Popularity is in the eye of the beholder I was going to be assigned to Ft. Polk once (didn't want it), but had a Lieutenant Colonel want the spot and they bumped me out of it.

Ft. Drum is one of the higher priority bases that the Army has to fill, so you have a better chance of getting it. However part of the need is based upon how many openings there are. Moves tend to go in cycles - one summer 5 dentists may leave, another year only 1. So even with Ft. Drum being a high priority location, there will be the variable of # of spots. So I would say you have a fair/good chance.

 

[peRsEVERENCE]

Hey i was just wondering, what are the cities that you will be working at if you decide overseas?

Japan, Korea, Germany?

I was wondering if they were in a major city of those countries, or in some country boondock area?