3-Year Masters of Science in Dentistry (MSD/MS) Operative Dentistry competitiveness?

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Excuse my French, but why the hell would you go to 3 more years in operative dentistry? I need someone to help me understand in what universe this would be a good career move.
It's considered a specialty in the Navy and qualifies you for the same amount of retention bonus like endo/perio/peds, etc. If selected the navy will pay tuition and give you a full salary while in school(FTOS) so I think it's good for someone who wants to make military a career. Also, just like big hoss said it's a good one to have if you decide to go back to academia.
 
Fair enough. I always thought the 2 year AEGD was crazy enough. I had no idea there was 3 year general dentistry residency. It blows my mind that the military pays people a full salary during this residency, then pays them a specialty bonus afterwards. All for a year for year repayment. By my calculation thats 400K-600K (3 years salary plus 3 years specialty bonus) over 6 years for 3 years of military paced general dentistry.....crazy town.
 
Fair enough. I always thought the 2 year AEGD was crazy enough. I had no idea there was 3 year general dentistry residency. It blows my mind that the military pays people a full salary during this residency, then pays them a specialty bonus afterwards. All for a year for year repayment. By my calculation thats 400K-600K (3 years salary plus 3 years specialty bonus) over 6 years for 3 years of military paced general dentistry.....crazy town.
Well they pay them specialty bonus once they have fulfilled ALL their obligation. It's a RETENTION specialty bonus. So for example if you finish your 4 year HPSP obligation in 2023 and attend a FTOS operative dentistry program for 3 years that year, you're not eligible for the $50K/year retention bonus until 2029. That is a long time and commitment lol. I think most people specialize in the military because it helps with promotion and for some specialties (endo,perio,orofacial/public health,radio, peds, and ortho) it gives you a much more stable duty assignments(no ships/small operational requirements).
 
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