I don't hear much people discussing about the army. Any of you have any comments about this! I just got a letter from them and i'm just curious what you guys were thinking about that. Tnx
Anyone consider the Dentistry in the US army?
- Thread starter teefRcool
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I genuinely have considered the Navy or Air force and in doing so here is what I found out.
You go in as an officer (Captain). Back when I was reading up on it, it was my impression that pay was around $100,000.00 a year. Plus housing, clothing allowances.
Depending on how long you enlist for determines the amount of tuition reimbursement you receive. They also offer stipends while you are in dental school, but (I think) this applies only to specialists (eg: endo, perio, ect.) in residency.
I know you have to be able to complete PTs, but I am pretty sure you do not have to complete basic.
I really think it has possibilities. Consider your debt at the end of dental school, say $150,000.00. (I may be way off on my estimates) but if they pay 100k and pay off your loans entirely for a 3 year commitment, you are now making 150k a year, plus housing allowances. Not to mention you are no longer paying interest on you debt. All this is not to shabby considering the debt you will go into by buying/building your own practice.
In the long hall, you can make a BOAT LOAD more money in private practice, so I (personally) wouldnt make a career out of it. But, if in three years you can be essentially debt free, plus (if you save) you could have enough coin in your pocket to put a sick investment in your own practice, the whole gig has potential.
My father, a dentist of 45 years 2 of which were spent in the Air Force, says dont, there is more money in private practice. But I would ague that with benefits and not to mention GOBS of clinical experience It could be worth it.
Lastly, I spoke with a few friends in the service (not dentists) and asked them what they thought. Specifically, I said I would like to serve my country, but it seems kind of like the b!tch way out of service. They all had the same response We need dentists just as much as we need pilots or ground troops.
-C
You go in as an officer (Captain). Back when I was reading up on it, it was my impression that pay was around $100,000.00 a year. Plus housing, clothing allowances.
Depending on how long you enlist for determines the amount of tuition reimbursement you receive. They also offer stipends while you are in dental school, but (I think) this applies only to specialists (eg: endo, perio, ect.) in residency.
I know you have to be able to complete PTs, but I am pretty sure you do not have to complete basic.
I really think it has possibilities. Consider your debt at the end of dental school, say $150,000.00. (I may be way off on my estimates) but if they pay 100k and pay off your loans entirely for a 3 year commitment, you are now making 150k a year, plus housing allowances. Not to mention you are no longer paying interest on you debt. All this is not to shabby considering the debt you will go into by buying/building your own practice.
In the long hall, you can make a BOAT LOAD more money in private practice, so I (personally) wouldnt make a career out of it. But, if in three years you can be essentially debt free, plus (if you save) you could have enough coin in your pocket to put a sick investment in your own practice, the whole gig has potential.
My father, a dentist of 45 years 2 of which were spent in the Air Force, says dont, there is more money in private practice. But I would ague that with benefits and not to mention GOBS of clinical experience It could be worth it.
Lastly, I spoke with a few friends in the service (not dentists) and asked them what they thought. Specifically, I said I would like to serve my country, but it seems kind of like the b!tch way out of service. They all had the same response We need dentists just as much as we need pilots or ground troops.
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Yea I'm considering it as well. I think the army will reimburse all 4 years of tuition but air force only does up to 3 years if I'm not mistaken. One cool thing about military dental service is that they give you the opportunity to train as a soldier in certain areas which is cool. There are some vids on the army and air force website that follow a dentist who trains in high altitude combat and even aerial stuff. Anyway, its something to think about and would be a cool experience aside from going to the same practice everyday for the rest of your life.
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IcemanDDS said:
I'm looking into the Air Force dental road as well. I think that one should not do it just for the money. They should have a desire to be a soldier as well as a dentist, it is the military by the way. Oh yeah, during my OSU interview a recruiter was there and informed me that they (the Air Force) has gone back to giving four year scholarships. If anyone has experienced this path to dentistry please inform us Pre-dents with your experience. thanks.
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SuperC said:
Look a little closer before you sign anything. I have a lot of friends who are on HPSP scholarship and it is not quite as attractive as you might think. 100k + housing/cash allowance starting is too high. Anyone I have talked to puts it closer to the 80k ballpark with housing and tax-free benefits as part of the 80k. I think you do get a stipend while you are in pre-doctoral school too. I'm pretty sure its around 1,200 per month. On the other hand, your debt will likely be more than 150k unless you go to a state school. My wife is a hygienist and pays all the day to day bills and we will probably still come out of school 220k in debt. So, do keep that in mind as an increased benefit of having Uncle Sam pay for you. Also, to my understanding it is not a 3 year commitment. I believe it is 3 years or so active duty, but it is an 8 year total commitment between active duty and reserve duty. Those dentists do get called up during reserve duty and it would be devastating to a newly opened practice to have unexpectedly called up to Saudi Arabia or Germany or North Carolina for a year.
Overall, go into things with your eyes wide open and go into the military if you really want to serve your country. If that isn't your true motivation, look elsewhere. Best of luck.
I have spent some time researching regarding HPSP:
1. Air force does offer 4 year scholarships (this changed quite recently)
2. Starting pay as a resident right out of dental school is around 52K (before tax, varies with location. This includes Basic Pay, BAH, BAS, and VSP)
3. The pay (2nd year of service) after residency will be around 55K (add ASP to the #2)
4. The pay will increase with promotion and years of service. (74K after 5 years)
5. Board Certified Pay ($200-$400 per month) and specialty bonus ($12,000 to $22,000 per year) can be added to the above after you gain a specialty. I have heard that you are not eligible for specialty residency until you are done with your active duty obligation (4 years after general residency?).
6. If you want to make a career out of it, you will be making around 150K at the end of a 20 year career (assuming you become a type II specialist).
1. Air force does offer 4 year scholarships (this changed quite recently)
2. Starting pay as a resident right out of dental school is around 52K (before tax, varies with location. This includes Basic Pay, BAH, BAS, and VSP)
3. The pay (2nd year of service) after residency will be around 55K (add ASP to the #2)
4. The pay will increase with promotion and years of service. (74K after 5 years)
5. Board Certified Pay ($200-$400 per month) and specialty bonus ($12,000 to $22,000 per year) can be added to the above after you gain a specialty. I have heard that you are not eligible for specialty residency until you are done with your active duty obligation (4 years after general residency?).
6. If you want to make a career out of it, you will be making around 150K at the end of a 20 year career (assuming you become a type II specialist).
