GPRs and AEGDs

[Northwesterner1]

Would any residents currently in the Navy's GPR or 1-year AEGD programs mind commenting in more detail on what their program is like? I can find formal descriptions of what to expect online but I'm curious to know what your average week on the job is like.

Thanks in advance.

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[coolleoboy]

I would like to know this too. Thanks

 

[Hedgy]

I can't speak for those now. My AEGD was at Great Lakes some time ago (2001), but I don't think its changed much.

Rotate through each specialty for 2 months (endo, perio, oral surgery, prosth). One month you work in the am with a specialist/operative in the pm, the other month your work operative am/with specialist in the pm. This was Mon-Fri. Thursday is usually field day (clean house) in the Navy, so we did Lit reviews or had lectures on those days. You will be on duty (on call), but how often depends on how many LTs or LCDRs. We had a ton of guys, so were only on duty 1-2 days/month. We had to stay till 8pm on weekdays and till noon on weekends, depending on # of emergencies. You had to be within 1 hour of the base when on duty.

Days run 7-4. Arrive early, officer's call at 7am (you don't show up late for this). Start patients 8-11:30. Lunch 11:30-1pm (lunch + PT). Patients 1-4pm.

With endo; Hand file first few cases, then graduate to rotary-it may be different or all rotary now. I did/assisted on 2 apicos, the rest were just RCTs.

Oral Surgery: Mostly was 3rd molar ext's. Assist oral surgeon with first one, he assisted me with second, I was on my own by the third one. Did about 3-6 cases per shift, no sedation, just cover their eyes and go.

Perio: Mostly did a ton of S&RP, assisted a few surgeries, and did 2 CT grafts with periodontist assisting. Know your literature and perio bugs.

Prosth: Did a lot of crowns, maybe 1 bridge, a few RPDs/flippers, no dentures there as the population is mostly recruits.

Operative: Sling amalgam, MODFLs (aka WFTs), had a lot of new dental techs so lots of OJT for most there.

Hope that helps.

 

[Nat426]

I'd love some input on this as well. I'm considering one or the other but not sure which one. Don't really want another year of dental school. I heard the credentialing tour is the same thing but you rotate only 1 month vs. two with the AEGD.

 

[coolleoboy]

I can't speak for those now. My AEGD was at Great Lakes some time ago (2001), but I don't think its changed much.

Rotate through each specialty for 2 months (endo, perio, oral surgery, prosth). One month you work in the am with a specialist/operative in the pm, the other month your work operative am/with specialist in the pm. This was Mon-Fri. Thursday is usually field day (clean house) in the Navy, so we did Lit reviews or had lectures on those days. You will be on duty (on call), but how often depends on how many LTs or LCDRs. We had a ton of guys, so were only on duty 1-2 days/month. We had to stay till 8pm on weekdays and till noon on weekends, depending on # of emergencies. You had to be within 1 hour of the base when on duty.

Days run 7-4. Arrive early, officer's call at 7am (you don't show up late for this). Start patients 8-11:30. Lunch 11:30-1pm (lunch + PT). Patients 1-4pm.

With endo; Hand file first few cases, then graduate to rotary-it may be different or all rotary now. I did/assisted on 2 apicos, the rest were just RCTs.

Oral Surgery: Mostly was 3rd molar ext's. Assist oral surgeon with first one, he assisted me with second, I was on my own by the third one. Did about 3-6 cases per shift, no sedation, just cover their eyes and go.

Perio: Mostly did a ton of S&RP, assisted a few surgeries, and did 2 CT grafts with periodontist assisting. Know your literature and perio bugs.

Prosth: Did a lot of crowns, maybe 1 bridge, a few RPDs/flippers, no dentures there as the population is mostly recruits.

Operative: Sling amalgam, MODFLs (aka WFTs), had a lot of new dental techs so lots of OJT for most there.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for your input! I would like to know after AEGD, do people get a bonus pay?

 

[vellnueve]

Operative: Sling amalgam, MODFLs (aka WFTs), had a lot of new dental techs so lots of OJT for most there.

I would imagine that's changed a little since A school is no longer at Great Lakes.

 

[vellnueve]

Thanks for your input! I would like to know after AEGD, do people get a bonus pay?

Standard general dentist bonus pay, nothing more.

 

[Hedgy]

I would imagine that's changed a little since A school is no longer at Great Lakes.

Not sure why that would matter, still a lot of recruits piling through. Always plenty of work to do there.

 

[Nat426]

Anyone do a GPR that can add some insight?

 

[fort polk la]

I can't speak for those now. My AEGD was at Great Lakes some time ago (2001), but I don't think its changed much.

Rotate through each specialty for 2 months (endo, perio, oral surgery, prosth). One month you work in the am with a specialist/operative in the pm, the other month your work operative am/with specialist in the pm. This was Mon-Fri. Thursday is usually field day (clean house) in the Navy, so we did Lit reviews or had lectures on those days. You will be on duty (on call), but how often depends on how many LTs or LCDRs. We had a ton of guys, so were only on duty 1-2 days/month. We had to stay till 8pm on weekdays and till noon on weekends, depending on # of emergencies. You had to be within 1 hour of the base when on duty.

Days run 7-4. Arrive early, officer's call at 7am (you don't show up late for this). Start patients 8-11:30. Lunch 11:30-1pm (lunch + PT). Patients 1-4pm.

With endo; Hand file first few cases, then graduate to rotary-it may be different or all rotary now. I did/assisted on 2 apicos, the rest were just RCTs.

Oral Surgery: Mostly was 3rd molar ext's. Assist oral surgeon with first one, he assisted me with second, I was on my own by the third one. Did about 3-6 cases per shift, no sedation, just cover their eyes and go.

Perio: Mostly did a ton of S&RP, assisted a few surgeries, and did 2 CT grafts with periodontist assisting. Know your literature and perio bugs.

Prosth: Did a lot of crowns, maybe 1 bridge, a few RPDs/flippers, no dentures there as the population is mostly recruits.

Operative: Sling amalgam, MODFLs (aka WFTs), had a lot of new dental techs so lots of OJT for most there.

Hope that helps.

I would imagine that those ONE month rotations were very educational !!! Plus, young soldiers of age 19-30 need so much compehensive dental it's unbelievable. Especially the complex medical problems they have.. Long list of meds they are on. You really have to know your stuff to work on them.!!!!
Think about it !!!!!!!

 

[fort polk la]

Truth hurts huh! ?
Wake up! Face it!
It is Obvious you are just getting started in dentistry and have little experience in the real world. Your military dental orientation and coment ( coward) only serves to prove my earlier statement about military dental working enviroment for civilians ( very cruel ). Also, I am positive you will leave the military once you have repaid your debt to our goverment for paying off your school loans. Best wishes!

Which is why in residencies we see family members and retirees....we actually do treat patients with extensive medical histories and taking more meds than you have sense...

Such a coward...hiding on a forum board.

uth uth

 

[fort polk la]

Truth hurts huh! ?
Wake up! Face it!
It is Obvious you are just getting started in dentistry and have little experience in the real world. Your military dental orientation and coment ( coward) only serves to prove my earlier statement about military dental working enviroment for civilians ( very cruel ). Also, I am positive you will leave the military once you have repaid your debt to our goverment for paying off your school loans. Best wishes!




uth uth

PS: please do not build up your military dental training experience more than what it is. There are those on this forum Who may be encouraged by it.. I only wish to help those in our profession avoid the horrible condescending treatment the miltary dental officers convey to army civilian dentists!
Thanks!!!

 

[fort polk la]

Which is why in residencies we see family members and retirees....we actually do treat patients with extensive medical histories and taking more meds than you have sense...

Such a coward...hiding on a forum board.

Not very nice ! I guess the truth hurts.... not looking for an argument here. Just plain truth !

I remember very well that the military boots all enlisted ( officers included) out of the army due to their complex medical problems. They may receive some sort of disability payment ( for their service and trouble) from the government if they are lucky !!!! Not sure what you are treating at your post in Fort Knox KY? I would imagine, truth be known, that most if not all are young soldiers who are very very healthy and in GOOD SHAPE!!!!!! That is one BIG PROBLEM with doing military dentistry. You stay long enough, you will forget how to deal with those who do have complex medical issues and long lists of medications. your residency as legit as it may be does not make up for what I am stating here. I have 26 years experience not including my 2 year GPR residency. I have worked private practice and provided hospital dentistry in the OR for the mentally handicapped, pediatrics and geriatric. Now I am retired. I thought giving back in some small way, especially to our soldiers, would be a nice experience . I was very wrong!!!!! I do not regret providing for the soldiers themselves, I regret working with the military officers and tolerating the inhospitable, condescending fashion in which they treated not only myself, but other colleagues. Be nice and be HONEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[letsberealman]

The GPR and AEGD's are just a backhanded way for the military to use you for another year. I myself did a credentialing tour in Navy, but I have worked with many who have done the PGY1 programs. The GPR is good if you want to do OMFS or are interested in hospital dentistry, otherwise forget it. The AEGD is essentially pointless unless you are into didactics.

What no one tells you guys is that no matter if you do GPR, AEGD or credentialing tour, it has no bearing on the next assignment. I had the opportunity to go Seabees, overseas, "one-holer" etc. I'm not treated any differently at my current command than the LT's that did GPR's or AEGDs with respect to scope of practice. The only way you would know if someone did a PGY1 is if you actually ask them. Nobody cares, trust me.

I would highly recommend a credentialing tour at Great Lakes or Parris Island where there are tons of patients and formal rotations. Then elbow your way into extended rotations. I spent 4 months in OS, which was exactly what I wanted. I'm so glad I didn't do an AEGD. Everytime I meet someone who did one I'm struck by how little they actually did procedure wise. I did more endo and FAR more OS than everyone I've met from an AEGD or GPR.

Another thing worth mentioning is that often taking a PGY1 will force you to move an extra time in the future. I will be able to finish out my contract at my current command by simply extending for the final year. However you can't extend for 2 years at a command, so those guys are forced with the whole nightmare detailer negotiation game and PCS all over again.

Of course you will have some AEGD grads in here defending it as a way of justifying their choice. Good for them. I don't buy it for a second. Of course I'm only speaking for the Navy, I don't know anything about the Army or AF.

 

[AirborneDentist]

Civ from Fort Polk...you are obviously unhappy in your career choice, and I am sorry for that. I have been in the Army for 10 years and have also worked in private practice. The training I received in residency was second to none. I come on here to help people, you come on here to...well...I don't know what....

You were unhappy at Polk, that really does stink. I truly love my job, going to work every day.

 

[fort polk la]

Civ from Fort Polk...you are obviously unhappy in your career choice, and I am sorry for that. I have been in the Army for 10 years and have also worked in private practice. The training I received in residency was second to none. I come on here to help people, you come on here to...well...I don't know what....

You were unhappy at Polk, that really does stink. I truly love my job, going to work every day.

Im here to let people know the truth about civilian military dentistry. Gs and contract. Facts are that it is not a good Environment. Yes, you provide a good service to the soldiers, but the civilian dentists suffer at the hand of military dental commander's whims. It is different for those who are enlisted vs civilians. There is discrimination toward civilians. I have witnessed this many many times. I think it is only fair to show the other side of the card . I could go on and on about this. I am very passionate concerning the mental abuse I and many others have suffered at the hands of these officers in order to support our familys. All needless!! Its good that you love your work and thus enjoy it. I did as well other than my time as a gs employee. Just be aware of how your decisions /actions affect your coworkers . Rank means nothing if you have to treat those who help you achieve it like stepping stones!
Best wishes!

 

[AirborneDentist]

Just one thing...we are not enlisted...we are officers...enlisted refers to the rank of Private to Command Sergeants Major. Dentists are all officers...just so you know in future posts..