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Hey Everyone, I'm looking for help calculating my total yearly salary (before taxes) as a navy dentist.

I have done HSCP while in dental school (but have no prior service before dental school) so I should start at O-3 with three years of "active duty" service. I will have one dependent. Also, I will be a general dentist.

I can look up the military pay charts and calculate base salary, BAH and BAS easy enough, its the dental officer pay table that I can't effectively read because I can't find which categories apply to me; board certified special pay, variable special pay, etc. Can anyone help me out?

When you graduate (and obtain a dental license), the only special pay that will apply to you as a general dentist at that point in your career is IP, which is $1,666.67/month. Add that to your base pay, BAH, and BAS, and that will be what you will be paid before taxes. In case you were wondering about after taxes, it is worth mentioning that base pay and IP are taxable, while BAH and BAS are not.

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I am a second year dental student at LLU. I know I need to email OH about this to get s definitive answer about this, but can I do a civilian Pediatric residency right after graduation and then do my 4 years of payback plus the three years of residency after the peds program I choose? So right after I graduate, take a leave of absence from the HPSP, do a three year private residency, then do my payback plus time off.
 
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Someone told me there is no pediatric dentistry in the Navy, so what happens if I want to specialize in it?
 
Anyone out there with good info on how bases are assigned for first duty station on someone selecting a credentialing tour?
graduation May 2016 HSPS - no prior service

What are the likely/preferable duty station east coast/south?

I would really like to go to NC/SC/FL
 
I'm a soon to be 3rd year. I went to PSD at JEB little creek this past July (had a reunion to attend; prior military).
While this information overall is correct, I went and got my CAC card and its expiration date is 2016 around the time I would be reporting on board to my AEGD, GPR, etc.. I wasn't on AT and haven't been to ODS.
I believe that they are setting things up so that all HPSP students get the CAC card while in school, not a reserve green card.
Just my 2 cents.
This is accurate. To make in easier for someone issuing your card. Go to the base while you are on your 45 days Active Duty and they will issue a CAC card showing active duty status until your graduation date.
 
Has anyone been to Parris Island and practiced? Is there soo many dentists that many get put on an "amalgam line" or "Cleaning line" (I'm not even sure if that exists)?

If someone has been there, as much detail as possible of day to day happenings. Things to watch out for. Do's Don'ts. - much appreciated
 
Has anyone heard of anyone who did their AEGD/GPR at one of the Marine facilities and then just stayed with Marines stationed at that same facility? I'm in a one year GPR at Camp Pendleton starting in September and was wondering what my odds were of just staying with a Marine unit out of that base after graduating.
 
Another quick question: I know its impossible to say anything definite about deployments, but that having been said if I'm interested in deploying (and deploying forward), nowadays is a ship assignment or marine assignment more likely to deploy? Any idea on how frequently for either?
 
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Hi, I am applying to dental school this fall with the intention of not completing my bachelor's degree. I am also interested in the HPSP scholarship. I have contacted both the army and the navy healthcare recruiters and both have told me that I need to complete my bachelor's in order to be eligible for the program, because a college degree is required in order for a person to be an officer. However, I have seen it posted in this forum that a college degree is not nessesary for either branch as long as I have acceptance into a dental school. I also know that tbond5 ( a member of this forum) recently received a 4 year navy scholarship without a college degree. My question is; do I or don't I need a college degree to apply for the HPSP scholarship? If I don't need one, how do I convince the recruiters that I don't so that they will 1) Allow me to begin the application process and 2) actually take my application seriously? Any feedback is appreciated.
 
Hi, I am applying to dental school this fall with the intention of not completing my bachelor's degree. I am also interested in the HPSP scholarship. I have contacted both the army and the navy healthcare recruiters and both have told me that I need to complete my bachelor's in order to be eligible for the program, because a college degree is required in order for a person to be an officer. However, I have seen it posted in this forum that a college degree is not nessesary for either branch as long as I have acceptance into a dental school. I also know that tbond5 ( a member of this forum) recently received a 4 year navy scholarship without a college degree. My question is; do I or don't I need a college degree to apply for the HPSP scholarship? If I don't need one, how do I convince the recruiters that I don't so that they will 1) Allow me to begin the application process and 2) actually take my application seriously? Any feedback is appreciated.

I came across the same problem. For some reason, my Navy recruiter says I (maybe) need my bachelor's degree before I apply for the HPSP, but my Army recruiter says I don't. I am meeting with the Army recruiter this Monday and the Navy recruiter on the 15th, so I will let you know what they say. I am pretty sure you don't need a bachelor's degree to apply for the HPSP, but you obviously need the degree once you start using it.
 
Does anyone know when the first board meeting is for the Navy HPSP? My recruiter went on leave until September 15th and he said that halfway through September is still a good time to start the application (I haven't started the application yet). Is that true? Thank you for your help.
 
I'm planning to enlist into the navy however I have an impacted maxillary canine that is currently in a horizontal position. I've asked my recruiter and two online recruiters if this will be a problem but they all don't know. This tooth hasn't caused me any problems (That i'm aware of) so i'm unsure if this could still result in a disqualification at MEPs. Any information regarding this situation is greatly appreciated.
 
I'm planning to enlist into the navy however I have an impacted maxillary canine that is currently in a horizontal position. I've asked my recruiter and two online recruiters if this will be a problem but they all don't know. This tooth hasn't caused me any problems (That i'm aware of) so i'm unsure if this could still result in a disqualification at MEPs. Any information regarding this situation is greatly appreciated.

Impacted teeth are not grounds for disqualification. This isn't really the place to ask that, though.
 
D2 here. Is it possible to graduate dental school, complete 2 year civilian Pedo residency and then serve my 4 years for hpsp ? Just a little confused on how and when to specialize since I have the hpsp and all.
 
Is there someone that has a list of every Naval Installation Green side that has Dentists at it? First Duty Station assignments for 1st year LT's in Credentialing tour? Bases that have OS and ENDO?
 
Hi, I am applying to dental school this fall with the intention of not completing my bachelor's degree. I am also interested in the HPSP scholarship. I have contacted both the army and the navy healthcare recruiters and both have told me that I need to complete my bachelor's in order to be eligible for the program, because a college degree is required in order for a person to be an officer. However, I have seen it posted in this forum that a college degree is not nessesary for either branch as long as I have acceptance into a dental school. I also know that tbond5 ( a member of this forum) recently received a 4 year navy scholarship without a college degree. My question is; do I or don't I need a college degree to apply for the HPSP scholarship? If I don't need one, how do I convince the recruiters that I don't so that they will 1) Allow me to begin the application process and 2) actually take my application seriously? Any feedback is appreciated.
You have to have the degree to Commission. However, If your dental school is fulfilling some requirements you lack for you bachelors you may be awarded a degree upon completing first year Dental School. Not 100% on this one.
 
Hey everyone, I have a few questions about going the military dentistry route. Is it too late to apply right now? I plan to matriculate next August. I have very poor eyesight (around 4.5 and 4.75 power) and astigmatism. Will this prevent me from qualifying for selection? Thank you.
 
It's possible but not likely. You'd have to apply for residency with the Navy during your third year and get selected prior to applying to programs.
Why do you say its not likely? And also how would I go about specializing then if not that way?

Thanks for the response.
 
Hi,

I will be applying for dental school in June of 2016, and am interested in the HPSP scholarship. My DAT scores are AA - 23, TS - 24, and PAT - 17. My GPA shows a strong upward trend, and will be about 3.4 when I apply.

I would like to know when would be a good time to apply, what are my chances of acquiring the scholarship, and whether the scholarship still comes with a $20,000 sign-on bonus?

Also, I can't swim, so I assume it would be best to apply to the Army or Air Force instead of the Navy?
 
I'm not a ship dentist, I'm just giving feedback on what I hear from my colleagues - my actual experience with underway dentistry amounts to only a few days. However, to answer some of your questions - Aircraft carriers have five dentists, including three general dentists, a senior comprehensive, general, prosth, or operative dentist, and an oral surgeon. The amphibious assault ships (LSDs, LPDs, LHAs, LHDs, LCCs) have one dentist apiece although they may be augmented by a green side dentist if Marines are embarked. The one sub tender that still has dentists has three dentists IIRC. There is at least one assistant per dentist (we called them "dental technicians") on the ships whether it is a carrier or an amphib and usually a few extra corpsmen/techs doing other jobs in the department who can do chairside if necessary. The larger amphibs and the carriers also have a hygenist. For more details on ship life, I'd wait for input from others. If the ship is in port you'll still work on the ship unless it is in dry dock, then you may be moved to a local clinic or a mobile unit while the ship is undergoing repairs.

There are several ships with dental departments based in Japan - if you get orders to one of those ships you will be working on that ship - otherwise if you get stationed in Japan you'll be in a shore clinic. We have dental clinics at many bases including Atsugi, USNH Yokosuka, and Sasebo, and green-side Marine clinics all over Okinawa and at Iwakuni as well. Other than those, your only other real overseas options as a new dentist would be Bahrain or Diego Garcia (both 1-year tours as opposed to the others which are 2-3 years depending on your m arital status) - the European destinations are reserved for people with more experience. In terms of leave, you earn 30 days of leave per year and if you have it, you can use it. You can go to other countries but would have to go through some red tape (it seems like a lot but it doesn't stop most people from going places)

@vellnueve , I want to resurrect an old post of yours (quoted above).

A few questions:
1. In the US Army, many of the dental assistants are civilians. Is this the case for Dental Techs in the Navy, or are they under your command?

2. For Japan assignments, am I understanding this clearly?
Option 1: Ship assigned to Japan. Work on Ship.
Option 2: Shore Clinic in Japan- blue-side, but not on a ship. You stay in clinic even when ship leaves
Option 3: Green-side Marine Clinic.

Or is Option 2 the same as Option 3?

Also, have you heard good things about Bahrain?

Thank you!!!
 
At sea all assistants will be active duty. At shore clinics a good number will be civilians or contractors.

As for #2, that is correct.

I have heard awesome things about Bahrain, but some people don't like it.
 
At sea all assistants will be active duty. At shore clinics a good number will be civilians or contractors.

As for #2, that is correct.

I have heard awesome things about Bahrain, but some people don't like it.

Thanks for your response.
How hard is it to get an Option #2-type position (shore clinic, non-green side).
Is Bahrain a "one-holer?"
 
It all depends on how many people are leaving when you're trying to go in, and how many people want that spot. There is no way to predict even a year or two out, much less with you when you're 5+ years out from potentially heading there.

Bahrain has several dentists, I'm not sure exactly how many.
 
Could any upperclassman Navy students or dentists help elucidate the trajectory for applying to a specialty program.
I am a 2nd year interested in pursuing endo, perio, or pedo. Still need more exposure but trying to get an idea for the road ahead. I understand it's essentially impossible to get into any specialties right out of school (minus GPR/AEGD, + occasional OMS & prosth), unless maybe it's a fluke year with an incredibly low # of apps. I'll focus my questions on endo & perio since I know pedo has to be done out of service.
- is it a good idea to apply to start the program right after school anyway, so that the program director can see your interest and your in the pipeline to keep applying?
- or is it viewed as being foolish, and I should just apply for a slot after a GPR completion/some experience?
- How do they typically accept applicants? Would they only accept me after I have completed my first assignment (after GPR + 3 year assignment somewhere). Or would they take you immediately after a GPR or in the middle of an assignment (lets say I did a GPR and did 2 years of a 3 yr assignment before I was accepted).
- follow up question, if you are set on a specialty, do you just apply every year? From browsing, looks like many do not get in their first 2-3 cycles/years, finish their commitment and then use GI Bill to do a civilian program right after.
- does the GPR/AEGD make you more competitive for Navy programs? Overall for civ. programs it would (some even require a GPR to apply)
- Ideally, I'd like to work in a group practice and do Navy reserves. What is the need like on the reserve end for these specialists?
- Lets say I became a periodontist but the reserves had no need for one, could I serve in the reserves as a general dentist?

Thank you!
 
Anyone know where we can find the available/possible duty stations for navy dentists straight out of school?
 
I'm a D4 awaiting the detailer to release credentialing locations. I know that these are filled based on needs and availability, but I was curious if the location of permanent residence matters? I go to school in the north, but would like to return to the south.
 
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I'm a D4 awaiting the detailer to release credentialing locations. I know that these are filled based on needs and availability, but I was curious if the location of permanent residence matters? I go to school in the north, but would like to return to the south.

It does to an extent - if they need to save money they could send you somewhere closer to where you are now. It all depends on the specific situation and what spots need to be filled, but if you express an interest for a certain geographic region and there are spots available, they'll usually try to work with you if there isn't a glut of people putting in for the same location.
 
For past HPSP applicants, were your motivational statements 2 pages, single spaced? My recruiter instructed me to write one that long but just wanted to get some sort of confirmation from others.
 
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Does anyone have information about the Starter Loan offered? I've heard its $25,000 at ~2.3% interest rates.

is that correct?
 
For past applicants, were your motivational statements 2 pages, single spaced? My recruiter instructed me to write one that long but just wanted to get some sort of confirmation from others.


I'm doing HSCP and my recruiter told me 400 words. I felt like it was kind of short but still followed his instructions.
 
Does anyone have information about the Starter Loan offered? I've heard its $25,000 at ~2.3% interest rates.

is that correct?


Career Starter Loan through USAA: 25k at 2.89% right now I think. Has to be paid back within 5 years (you can use a loan calculator to figure out the payments). HSCP can't take it until graduation, HPSP can take it before graduation, I think up to 12 months before?
 
D4 here-any inside info on when we can expect the detailer to release credentialing tour options? I'm starting to worry they forgot about me....
 
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I am sure this is in here somewhere, but reading through several pages I have not seen it recently. I am wondering how frequently, as a Navy dentist, I will be relocated. Is there a particular route that is more likely than others to not get us (my family) relocated? For instance, if I do an AEGD, will I likely stay there for three years and move for the next two? I have heard that doing a Marine AEGD can result in serving all five years in that one location. Is there any truth to that? I ask because my wife has a child from a previous marriage and I don't want to have 4 relocations in five years, as that is something that will get custody taken away quickly. Thank you for your replies.
 
You're not going to relocate 4 times in 5 years. Operational tours are usually 2 years, CONUS tours are usually 3 years especially if you have family. Overseas duty such as Japan would also be 3 years if you bring your family.
 
Picked up for Navy HSCP this cycle!

Applied from active duty as a LT from the aviation community, currently finishing up shore duty as a Navy ROTC instructor and will start dental school this August. I put on LT in June of 2011...would be putting on LCDR next year if I stayed URL.

I've heard various rumors about how much "credit" I get for this time towards early promotion to LCDR out of dental school. Can anyone weigh in? Do I just need to "suck up" the fact that in total I'll be spending 10 years as an O-3?
 
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