Ask an Army Dentist

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krmower said:
You apply for the specialty programs by December of your senior year.
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What if you are not sure and decides to specialize after you entered active duty?
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Hi
I am a licensed dentist, did 1 year of OMS internship and currently attending 1 yr anesthesia fellowship. I'm interested in OMS. I was wondering if there is any opportunity to join Army OMS residency program , if yes how?
I appreciate any help
 
Thanks to everyone who had dedicated their time and effort to this thread; there is some great info on here!

I am currently a 3rd year dental student. I am interested in joining the Army's Dental Corps when I graduate. It seems like I have two options to consider:

1). Apply for a one year HPSP scholarship

2). Commit during my 4th year and join after I graduate.

I am also interested in the opportunity of the one year AEGD program. If I decided to wait until my senior year to commit would I still be able to apply to the program and start right after I graduate? Am I too late to try and apply even if I am accepted for a one year HPSP?

Thanks!
 
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Zygomatic said:
Hi
I am a licensed dentist, did 1 year of OMS internship and currently attending 1 yr anesthesia fellowship. I'm interested in OMS. I was wondering if there is any opportunity to join Army OMS residency program , if yes how?
I appreciate any help
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Yes. Each year the Dental Corps Chief (our 2 star general) makes a decision on what specialty programs people who would like to come on active duty can apply for (direct accessions and those coming straight from dental school). Typically OMFS has been one of those programs that anyone can apply for.

The specialty selection board meets each December - I don't think you would make if for this year - but you could speak to a health care recruiter to find out.

If you apply and are selected for OMFS (or any specialty), you would have to come on active duty and serve as a dental officer. Minimum time commitment if you went for OMFS would be at least 8 yrs (4 yrs residency + 4 yrs payback).

First point of contact would be your nearest health care recruiter. http://www.goarmy.com/amedd.html
 
If you want to do the 1 yr AEGD you would have to try to get into the 1 yr HPSP. There are no 1 yr HPSP spots so the recruiter would have to see if he can "shake one loose" for you. It has been done, I have a guy I'm stationed with now that got one - just came on active duty this summer.

If you are not able to get one then you could come on when you graduate and apply for the 2 yr AEGD the December after graduation - but the 1 yr AEGD wouldn't be an option at that point.
 
What is the Early Commissioning Program and is it possible to do HPSP with it? What are the benefits and obligations of each?
 
krmower said:
If you want to do the 1 yr AEGD you would have to try to get into the 1 yr HPSP. There are no 1 yr HPSP spots so the recruiter would have to see if he can "shake one loose" for you. It has been done, I have a guy I'm stationed with now that got one - just came on active duty this summer.

If you are not able to get one then you could come on when you graduate and apply for the 2 yr AEGD the December after graduation - but the 1 yr AEGD wouldn't be an option at that point.
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How does my recruiter "shake one loose?" I spoke with him today and he seemed to think that the 1 year HPSP option was closed.

He also told me that it was possible to apply to the 1 year AEGD program in my senior year (possibly through the early commissioning program???).

I would much rather take the HPSP option, so any advise is greatly appreciated!!!
 
To shake one loose he works through his chain of Command up to the recruiting headquarters to see if they will make an exception.

I could also see the early commissioning idea work. The reason you can't come in after you graduate as a direct accession - is because December of your senior year you are not committed to the military so they are not going to give you a spot on the "chance" that you come in. Either of the other options (HPSP or early commissioning" you have committed so they know you will join.
 
Question for krmower:

I have already served 8 years (11B)(OIF II). (2 Active, 4 NG, 2 IRR)

In your opinion, what would be better... HPSP, or Early Commission?

How would my time in translate into years of service for O-3?

Thanks.
 
DENT2014BSW said:
Question for krmower:

I have already served 8 years (11B)(OIF II). (2 Active, 4 NG, 2 IRR)

In your opinion, what would be better... HPSP, or Early Commission?

How would my time in translate into years of service for O-3?

Thanks.
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I would always go HPSP over Early Commission when the opportunity is there. The difference in pay you would gain for 4 more years of time in service will not be nearly as much as the scholarship offers. You can crunch the numbers and see what extra income that would bring you over your career.

My understanding is you would come in as an 0-3 with 8 yrs time in service. I was prior service guard - and my time in service translated straight across. Your retirement will be different - 2 yrs AD + whatever other time you can show you were on active duty orders (Basic, AIT, ADSW, etc...). You will not have any time count towards time in grade if you were enlisted.
 
krmower,

I will be starting at 0 time in grade then. Enlisted those 8 yrs.
Used ARMY money to pay for school.

Thanks for the info.
 
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krmower,

Tried google, nothing really out there clearly states what you get for being prior enlisted (E) other than retirement points. Going into the HPSP program would start me at O-3 with 0 years regardless. Hoping that would not be the case. With 8 years already served, I would only have to serve the minimum year for year with the scholarship, right?

Unless I did the AEGD or tried to do another specialty...

Thanks
 
DENT2014BSW said:
krmower,

Tried google, nothing really out there clearly states what you get for being prior enlisted (E) other than retirement points. Going into the HPSP program would start me at O-3 with 0 years regardless. Hoping that would not be the case. With 8 years already served, I would only have to serve the minimum year for year with the scholarship, right?

Unless I did the AEGD or tried to do another specialty...

Thanks
Click to expand...
You would have the normal obligation with the scholarship - 4 yr AD + 4 yr IRR. The IRR would be reduced for any other AD time you did (specialty training, etc...)
 
Would it be possible for an Army dentist to go on humanitarian missions with other branches? On hospital ships?

How much experience do you need before you can go on one? How is it decided?
 
Destiny11 said:
Would it be possible for an Army dentist to go on humanitarian missions with other branches? On hospital ships?

How much experience do you need before you can go on one? How is it decided?
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I haven't seen any Active Duty Army dentists allowed to go on any of those missions. Each year there may be 1 or 2 humanitarian missions that crop up that someone will go on, but usually humanitarian missions are covered by the Reserve components for their 2 week annual training.

When they do select someone the local or regional Commander will usually select someone. Typically someone who is fairly competant in their skills (graduate of a 1 yr or 2 yr AEGD).
 
There was a central American humanitrian mission that dentists out of Fort Hood went to on a yearly basis (TDY). Like krmower said opportunities like these are few and far between.
 
teeth63a said:
There was a central American humanitrian mission that dentists out of Fort Hood went to on a yearly basis (TDY). Like krmower said opportunities like these are few and far between.
Click to expand...
So, basically it's a pretty low probability that in our first , second, third and even fourth year we'll have a chance to go on a humanitarian mission? Would you say 10% prob?
 
Insigniadds said:
So, basically it's a pretty low probability that in our first , second, third and even fourth year we'll have a chance to go on a humanitarian mission? Would you say 10% prob?
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I would say 0%. However I do know dentists that take vacation time and go on their own with another group to offer humanitarian aid. Army doesn't control what you do on your own time and with your own money.
 
Agree with krmower. If humanitarian missions are what you want to do, you may want to look at Doctors Without Borders or the Peace Corps. But again, we're speaking from our Army experience, it may be different for other branches.
 
Thanks for your input. I do want humanitarian missions but I guess I'll have to wait until I get more experience working in the dental corps.
 
To any AD dental professional:
I'll be starting active duty service after I graduate in may. (I'm a 4th yr hpsp student). Can one volunteer to be deployed? If one does not do the aegd, is a 1 year credentialing tour required?
Thanks!
 
beachsegalls said:
To any AD dental professional:
I'll be starting active duty service after I graduate in may. (I'm a 4th yr hpsp student). Can one volunteer to be deployed? If one does not do the aegd, is a 1 year credentialing tour required?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Yes you can volunteer - many of the individuals each deployment rotation do volunteer. However, they won't let you volunteer when you first get in. You need to increase your speed and abilities before they want you to be deployed. If you don't do a 1 yr AEGD then the procedures you can do will be limited. There is no "credentialing tour", but if you feel that there are things you want to do that you are not allowed to do, you will need to prove proficiency and apply to get credentialed in that procedure.
 
krmower said:
Yes you can volunteer - many of the individuals each deployment rotation do volunteer. However, they won't let you volunteer when you first get in. You need to increase your speed and abilities before they want you to be deployed. If you don't do a 1 yr AEGD then the procedures you can do will be limited. There is no "credentialing tour", but if you feel that there are things you want to do that you are not allowed to do, you will need to prove proficiency and apply to get credentialed in that procedure.
Click to expand...

Krmower,

That is what I thought. Is there a set waiting period before you can be deployed (like a year)? What sort of limitations does one have? Will one be able to still do fixed and removable prosth, inlays/onlays, implant restorations, anterior/PM/simple molar endo, adjunctive orthodontics, simple op, extractions, txt planning, etc.? How does one go about proving proficiency? Is there a competency exam for certain procedures? I have been finished with my requirements/points for a while now, and I have a lot of free time on my hands. Other than taking the clinical licensing exam and doing a hospital externship, I plan on learning as much as I can with the remainder of dental school to improve my weaknesses and expand the scope of my abilities. Any recommendations as to what areas of study I should focus on?

Thank you and happy holidays!
 
beachsegalls said:
Krmower,

That is what I thought. Is there a set waiting period before you can be deployed (like a year)? What sort of limitations does one have? Will one be able to still do fixed and removable prosth, inlays/onlays, implant restorations, anterior/PM/simple molar endo, adjunctive orthodontics, simple op, extractions, txt planning, etc.? How does one go about proving proficiency? Is there a competency exam for certain procedures? I have been finished with my requirements/points for a while now, and I have a lot of free time on my hands. Other than taking the clinical licensing exam and doing a hospital externship, I plan on learning as much as I can with the remainder of dental school to improve my weaknesses and expand the scope of my abilities. Any recommendations as to what areas of study I should focus on?

Thank you and happy holidays!
Click to expand...
Commanders that you are assigned to will make the decision on whether or not a deployment is the right thing for you when you volunteer (if you are ready). It will be based on input from supervisors and OICs where you work.

As far as other procedures - general dentists are given "cookie cutter" things they are allowed to do. Beyond that you will need to request privledges outside of those things and it will have to be staffed by a specialist or comprehensive dentist who will verify competancy. Once that is given those items will be added to what you can do and should carry over to the next assignment with you.
 
I;m kind of confused. please don't yell at me for my laziness. ive been reading around and skipping posts and pages.

so after graduating, we HAVE to do 1 year of AEGD and ontop of the 3/4 years that we must serve?
 
litodizzy said:
I;m kind of confused. please don't yell at me for my laziness. ive been reading around and skipping posts and pages.

so after graduating, we HAVE to do 1 year of AEGD and ontop of the 3/4 years that we must serve?
Click to expand...

No, you have to apply to the 1 year AEGD. If you are accepted, you can decline it.
 
Can one moonlight at a private office on the weekends while on active duty if he or she desires? Or are there restrictions against that? Thanks.
 
beachsegalls said:
Can one moonlight at a private office on the weekends while on active duty if he or she desires? Or are there restrictions against that? Thanks.
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Most locations will allow you to moonlight. The frequency may vary by location (how many hours they allow). You may ask about that when you first arrive. You will need a valid state license in the state you are stationed for moonlighting.

There will be paperwork that you are required to fill out. It is typically not allowed if you are in residency training.
 
Dr. Mower,

You really know your stuff. Thank you for all of your guidance! I tried looking this up, but I couldn't quite find the answer. My sister is getting married this upcoming September, and I will need to request a Friday off so that I can travel to the location of the wedding. Is it difficult in requesting time off for family events like this?

What is your opinion on the following matter: if you know that you definitely want to specialize in a particular dental field, would you recommend that an AEGD still (if offered)? On one hand, I feel like it is a great educational opportunity, but on the other, you are, in a sense, delaying what you really want to do.
I would love to contact some Army dentists who were in this situation in the past to gain some insight. Would you recommend anybody in particular whom I can bounce some questions off of?
 
beachsegalls said:
Dr. Mower,

You really know your stuff. Thank you for all of your guidance! I tried looking this up, but I couldn't quite find the answer. My sister is getting married this upcoming September, and I will need to request a Friday off so that I can travel to the location of the wedding. Is it difficult in requesting time off for family events like this?

What is your opinion on the following matter: if you know that you definitely want to specialize in a particular dental field, would you recommend that an AEGD still (if offered)? On one hand, I feel like it is a great educational opportunity, but on the other, you are, in a sense, delaying what you really want to do.
I would love to contact some Army dentists who were in this situation in the past to gain some insight. Would you recommend anybody in particular whom I can bounce some questions off of?
Click to expand...
I fake it :)

Requesting time off is really easy most of the time. It can be a little more restrictive if you are in a training program. If you will be in a training program you will have to wait and ask once you arrive - if you are coming in and going skipping training it shouldn't be an issue.

They key thing is requesting leave before patients are scheduled so the time can be blocked off.

My recommendation is to apply for the 12 month AEGD as well as whatever you want to specialize in. The benefit of this is if you don't get picked up for specialty training you have a fall back plan that will make you more competitive the next year you apply. Each year the chance of you getting picked up will be based upon how you stand out from others. A 12 month AEGD gives you something tangible that can be used as a comparison tool. GPA, class rank, board scores, etc... also give tangibles that can be compared. What school you went to, pass/fail grades or pass/fail board scores won't be as beneficial.
 
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I am currently a community college freshman who just graduated from high school in 2011. I am considering in either transfering to Va. Tech, Georgetown, GMU, UVA (hopefully with an AROTC scholarship) or EVEN applying to USMA and come out as a commissioned officer; this is step one of my gameplan. Next, I am thinking about getting into dental school (a competative one if I am able) and having the army pay for my tution through the HPSP scholarship and afterwards join the military. Is it possible that I may pursue another MOS rather than specializing in dentistry and then get into the dental occupation? What if I decide to consider SF/intel/aviation etc?(I know it is totally out of line and maybe even possibility) Afterwards I am thinking about getting into the civilian sector and be a private dentist (mind you I dont know which kind)

- Thank You
 
If you plan on being a dentist in the Army you should avoid ROTC. If you do ROTC and have them pay for dental school you will end up owing the Army about 8 yrs of payback. ROTC requires that you owe the Army time for your education.
 
Hi, I read the begging and the end of this post only because its so long. I haven't come across any information regarding the financial aspect of Army (maybe the information was in the middle). I was on the army website and the pay scale said that I will get about $38,000 a year. But it also says that there are other incentives like bonus pay, enlisting bonus, meal and housing allowance, etc. I also heard that there is an additional pay for just being a dentist. Basically people keep telling me that a dentist makes 40 a year, others are saying 80, others are saying 100. I would like a clear break down of how much a dentist gets payed during his 4 year repayment period, how easy is it to move up a rank, is there a sign on bonus for 4 years, and what about health insurance/malpractice insurance. Also, the website keeps repeating about different specialty pays but they are all different...

This is very important information for me to know because if the pay is only 40 a year there might be an incentive to just take out the loans and repay them on my own without spending 4 years in a military.
Thank you very much.
 
AmericanHero said:
Hi, I read the begging and the end of this post only because its so long. I haven't come across any information regarding the financial aspect of Army (maybe the information was in the middle). I was on the army website and the pay scale said that I will get about $38,000 a year. But it also says that there are other incentives like bonus pay, enlisting bonus, meal and housing allowance, etc. I also heard that there is an additional pay for just being a dentist. Basically people keep telling me that a dentist makes 40 a year, others are saying 80, others are saying 100. I would like a clear break down of how much a dentist gets payed during his 4 year repayment period, how easy is it to move up a rank, is there a sign on bonus for 4 years, and what about health insurance/malpractice insurance. Also, the website keeps repeating about different specialty pays but they are all different...

This is very important information for me to know because if the pay is only 40 a year there might be an incentive to just take out the loans and repay them on my own without spending 4 years in a military.
Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Pay will be about $85k a year going up every 2 yrs as you hit the pain bumps. That will vary slightly based on where you live since housing allowance varies. This pay includes your base pay, DASP, and VSP, BAH, BAS (you can see on the military pay charts.

As a specialist once your initial obligation is done you are eligible for an additional $50k/yr + board specialty pay once you pass boards. As a specialist with all your obligations completed as a Major with 6 yrs in you would be closer to $130-140k.

Promotions come about every 6 yrs.

Health insurance is free and there is no malpractice.
 
What are the chances of being deployed if you take a 4-year scholarship? If you did deploy would safety be a major issue?
 
thompsonae12 said:
What are the chances of being deployed if you take a 4-year scholarship? If you did deploy would safety be a major issue?
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With troops out of Iraq and a future draw down in Afghanistan my personal forecast is that deployments will decrease and your chance of deploying will be small. When both wars were going your chance of deploying was about 25%.

During the 11 yrs of war and the hundreds of dentists that have deployed we have had a couple get injured, and none die. It is pretty safe given the level of defenses we have defending our bases.
 
krmower said:
With troops out of Iraq and a future draw down in Afghanistan my personal forecast is that deployments will decrease and your chance of deploying will be small. When both wars were going your chance of deploying was about 25%.

During the 11 yrs of war and the hundreds of dentists that have deployed we have had a couple get injured, and none die. It is pretty safe given the level of defenses we have defending our bases.
Click to expand...
That's what I thought. My family is extremely against me joining because they think if I get deployed that I'll get killed or extremely injured or something bad. Do you know how injured these dentists were?
 
krmower said:
One lost the use of his arm, not sure about the other.
Click to expand...

That basically is the equivalent of death for a dentist. Without a functional arm, you really can't practice anymore. Was it related to nerve damage as a result of trauma?
 
beachsegalls said:
That basically is the equivalent of death for a dentist. Without a functional arm, you really can't practice anymore. Was it related to nerve damage as a result of trauma?
Click to expand...
Not sure. His arm is permanently in a sling. He was a senior dentist in the Reserve when things first started happening in Iraq. He is now one of the senior leaders in the VA on the dental side.
 
Just out of curiosity... Do you have any idea about how large the dental corps is? There are about 100 to 130 hpsp students per class if I'm not mistaken.
 
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krmower said:
With troops out of Iraq and a future draw down in Afghanistan my personal forecast is that deployments will decrease and your chance of deploying will be small. When both wars were going your chance of deploying was about 25%.

During the 11 yrs of war and the hundreds of dentists that have deployed we have had a couple get injured, and none die. It is pretty safe given the level of defenses we have defending our bases.
Click to expand...

I deploy in a month, I can tell you that I literally had to fight to go on this deployment. This is the third time I've had orders, this time I will go. Even if you're on the OML (the list telling you where your are in order of who goes next) there's a good chance you won't deploy. Each cycle there are only about 8-10 dentists that will deploy with a dental company (DCAS), not sure about how many will go with a brigade or medical co.. that's not a lot, and like krmower said, by 2014 the deployment availabilities will be next to none. deployments are important for residency selection and position opportunities.
 
J-DUB, I was just wondering about moonlighting opportunities near FT. HOOD. Are there certain dental clinics that have standing agreements with dentists stationed in the area? What is the compensation like? Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
 
J-Dub said:
I deploy in a month, I can tell you that I literally had to fight to go on this deployment. This is the third time I've had orders, this time I will go. Even if you're on the OML (the list telling you where your are in order of who goes next) there's a good chance you won't deploy. Each cycle there are only about 8-10 dentists that will deploy with a dental company (DCAS), not sure about how many will go with a brigade or medical co.. that's not a lot, and like krmower said, by 2014 the deployment availabilities will be next to none. deployments are important for residency selection and position opportunities.
Click to expand...
Can't you specialize in the military right out of school? I thought you could and then it just counted as neutral years if you're doing the HPSP scholarship.
 
Hi,
During the time of residency (whether it'd be 2-yr AEGD, endo, ortho, OMFS, etc), are soldiers entitled to ASP, VSP, FLPP, etc (other bonuses entitled to them as general dentists if they're qualified)?

I've looked through the thread but there wasn't any clear answer.

Thanks in advance!
 
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