AF residency, why?

[Cfer]

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Hey all, I'm in the AF hpsp program (3 year proram) and by June of this year, I will be obligated to apply for residencies through the AF. If I get in, I have the option of declining. The AEGD program is a neutral year, so it wouldn't count as one of my 3 years of commitment. If I did the AEGD, I would be with the AF for a total of 4 years. I have a few questions regarding the residencies --

1) is it worth it? what are the benefits of doing an aegd residency? do you really get a better experience doing the residency than going straight into the military as a general dentist? I thought that the military gives an awesome experience for new grads, so why do a residency?

2) what's the difference in income if you do the AEGD versus working as a gen dentist in the AF?

3) if I want to consider putting 20 years of my time in AF dentistry, does the AEGD count as one of those years?



Any constructive responses would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[eric275]

Hey all, I'm in the AF hpsp program (3 year proram) and by June of this year, I will be obligated to apply for residencies through the AF. If I get in, I have the option of declining. The AEGD program is a neutral year, so it wouldn't count as one of my 3 years of commitment. If I did the AEGD, I would be with the AF for a total of 4 years. I have a few questions regarding the residencies --

1) is it worth it? what are the benefits of doing an aegd residency? do you really get a better experience doing the residency than going straight into the military as a general dentist? I thought that the military gives an awesome experience for new grads, so why do a residency?

2) what's the difference in income if you do the AEGD versus working as a gen dentist in the AF?

3) if I want to consider putting 20 years of my time in AF dentistry, does the AEGD count as one of those years?



Any constructive responses would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

1) I'll let someone who has actually completed an AEGD or is on active duty answer this one

2) No, Coming right out of school your pay will be based off of your rank and the number of years you have in service.

3) Yes, while the AEGd does not count towards your HPSP obligation it does count as time on active duty and towards retirement.

 

[shamrock2006]

I have a close friend of mine who just finished dental school, chose NOT to take the AEGD and is a practicing dentist with the Air Force. Basically, she told me that she doesnt regret not taking it. She really isnt restricted to what she can, or cannot do. She does a bunch of 3rd molar extractions, restorative, endo, etc. She doesnt do any perio surgeries but that's b/c she simply has no desire to do it. She also cannot do any IV sedation. She told me that the only real thing that she would be able to do w/ the AEGD that she cant do now is that type of sedation..which she also claims she doesnt want to do. I dont know if this is how it works everywhere and I know it is a biased opinion. I also know people who have friends/relatives doing military residencies and say they are learning and doing a lot. I really do not know if there is a definitive answer on whether or not it is "worth it". I suppose if you're looking to make a career in the military, doing the AEGD woudl probably be best b/c it could up your credentials as far as specializing in the future if you were interested.

 

[SNOZBERRIES]

It is obviously your decision. I can assure you that you will be much better prepared for the profession (either military or civilian) if you do the residency. It was hands down, the best educational year of my life. I would not change it for anything.

You can see some of my previous posts for details.

Yes it does make a difference in what you can/can't do.

 

[baddog]

An AEGD residency is probably the best thing that can happen to your new dental career. It will give you confidence, skills and practice that you never got in dental school. Regarding the comments that someone without that training was doing a bunch of stuff at their base, they may be the exception to the rule and hey guys, a little more "book lernin' "can never hurt you. I did it and I recommend it highly. It also gives you a leg up on other applicants if you apply for Speciality training in the AF. Go for it!👍

 

[UNR.Grad]

An AEGD residency is probably the best thing that can happen to your new dental career. It will give you confidence, skills and practice that you never got in dental school. Regarding the comments that someone without that training was doing a bunch of stuff at their base, they may be the exception to the rule and hey guys, a little more "book lernin' "can never hurt you. I did it and I recommend it highly. It also gives you a leg up on other applicants if you apply for Speciality training in the AF. Go for it!👍

baddog,

A quick question about the military specialties you're talking about, it has been covered a lot but are the specialty residency years neutral years like the AEGD residency years? Thanks

 

[eric275]

baddog,

A quick question about the military specialties you're talking about, it has been covered a lot but are the specialty residency years neutral years like the AEGD residency years? Thanks

No they are not neutral years, specialty residency years DO count towards payback of HPSP. That's why it's such a great deal if you can get into a residency right out of school but you do incur one year of obligation for each year of your residency. Also in the Navy some specialties, like endo, are a two year program but you incur three years for the residency.

 

[UNR.Grad]

No they are not neutral years, specialty residency years DO count towards payback of HPSP. That's why it's such a great deal if you can get into a residency right out of school but you do incur one year of obligation for each year of your residency. Also in the Navy some specialties, like endo, are a two year program but you incur three years for the residency.

So you do have to pay back the years in the specialty residency, but the residency counts towards the original HPSP obligation? So for example if you get into endo right out of dental school, you will spend two years in it, taking two years off of your HPSP commitment but then you have to tack on three years after. So you'll have 5 years to pay back once out of the specialty, 3 for the endo and 2 for the original HPSP?

Which residencies are 3 year commitments?

 

[eric275]

So you do have to pay back the years in the specialty residency, but the residency counts towards the original HPSP obligation? So for example if you get into endo right out of dental school, you will spend two years in it, taking two years off of your HPSP commitment but then you have to tack on three years after. So you'll have 5 years to pay back once out of the specialty, 3 for the endo and 2 for the original HPSP?

Which residencies are 3 year commitments?

As far as the Navy goes that is correct, I'm sure all services follow the same rule otherwise people would choose a branch depndant on how many years you owe. From what I was told, endo and ortho incur a three year commitment after the residency, all others are year for year. I guess there must be some two year ortho programs still out there.

IMO it's a pretty good deal. If you owed 4 years, did your payback and then got into a civilian residency you would be at 6 years anyway. Also if you did a civilain residency you'd actually be taking a pretty big pay cut compared to your active duty pay. Might as well get payed more and do it in the military if you can.