Advice for thriving in Army Dentistry

[ohwhencherry]

Hey there, would love some input from anyone who feels they have insight.

I'm a DS3 Army HPSP student. For background, since coming to dental school clinic I'm discovering I really enjoy doing more public health related dentistry such as direct restorative, oral surgery, and remo rather than things like implants, big fixed cases, esthetic stuff, etc. After serving I'm thinking about starting a public health clinic in my hometown. For family reasons (parents need my support to be able to retire, etc.) I am leaning towards opting out of an AEGD next year if I get accepted. I'm curious what practicing in the army will look like if I don't do an AEGD. I've heard (on SDN) that I could get put 'on an amalgam line', which sounds like doing lots of direct restorative dentistry and not much else. I don't think I would be super disappointed to do mostly fillings in the army, but I'd love to at least do some oral surgery and endo to keep my knowledge and skills from atrophying.

Here's my questions:
Is it likely that I will end up doing direct restorative dentistry the vast majority of the time, or would I still have some opportunities to do some extractions, single unit crowns, some removable prosthodontics, etc.?

Does being willing/eager to go to more smaller or rural bases increase my opportunities to do a bit wider scope of dentistry?

Has anyone done four years without and AEGD, and what was your experience? Did you feel like you had the opportunity to learn a lot despite not doing an AEGD?

Any insight appreciated.

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[Big Time Hoosier]

Is it likely that I will end up doing direct restorative dentistry the vast majority of the time

Big Hoss

 

[ArmyToothDoc]

Hey there, would love some input from anyone who feels they have insight.

I'm a DS3 Army HPSP student. For background, since coming to dental school clinic I'm discovering I really enjoy doing more public health related dentistry such as direct restorative, oral surgery, and remo rather than things like implants, big fixed cases, esthetic stuff, etc. After serving I'm thinking about starting a public health clinic in my hometown. For family reasons (parents need my support to be able to retire, etc.) I am leaning towards opting out of an AEGD next year if I get accepted. I'm curious what practicing in the army will look like if I don't do an AEGD. I've heard (on SDN) that I could get put 'on an amalgam line', which sounds like doing lots of direct restorative dentistry and not much else. I don't think I would be super disappointed to do mostly fillings in the army, but I'd love to at least do some oral surgery and endo to keep my knowledge and skills from atrophying.

Here's my questions:
Is it likely that I will end up doing direct restorative dentistry the vast majority of the time, or would I still have some opportunities to do some extractions, single unit crowns, some removable prosthodontics, etc.?

Does being willing/eager to go to more smaller or rural bases increase my opportunities to do a bit wider scope of dentistry?

Has anyone done four years without and AEGD, and what was your experience? Did you feel like you had the opportunity to learn a lot despite not doing an AEGD?

Any insight appreciated.

As a general dentist without any residency training, you will still have core privileges and be expected to diagnose and treat sick call patients, and perform procedures such as pulpectomy, endodontic therapy (simple) and simple extractions (non-surgical).

Being on an "amalgam line" entirely depends if you get assigned to a readiness clinic, the clinic leadership, and if the command team has a plan in place for general dentists to rotate between different clinics.

I understand your family situation, but I would highly recommend an AEGD if you get accepted. It will facilitate a much better transition into the Army (being mentored to become a better Officer & Dentist), gives you more privileges in clinic (esp CEREC crowns), and sets you apart from your peers clinically and professionally (think of 1 year AEGD as equivalent to about 3-4 years of CE, and you won't find 1-on-1 instruction on live patients with a specialist at other CE courses).

 

[knewstance]

If you plan on making a career, just do the 2 year AEGD from the start. The bonuses alone make that a must for any career, unless you want to do a real specialty.