Attending Civilian OMFS Through Navy

[Lodo]

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I have been told by several OMFS's that going the 6-year combined MD route is definitely the better route to go. With this said, I am doing an HSCP with the Navy and I know that the Navy only offers a 4-year OMFS program. Is it very likely that the Navy (while keeping me on active duty) would allow me to attend a civilian 6-year program (on the Navy's tab, assuming that additional years be added to my payback commitment)? Has anyone done this or know of anyone who has done this? Odds of it being allowed? Thanks!

 

[ScubaDr2B]

I don't have an answer for your questions, but I am curious to know why people think the 6 year route is better than the 4 year degree? I've been told that most people who want to do academia or be a director of a program etc. should do the combined MD program, but if you want to go into private practice there is no great advantage...just curious to know.
Thanks

 

[shabu2]

I have been told by several OMFS's that going the 6-year combined MD route is definitely the better route to go. With this said, I am doing an HSCP with the Navy and I know that the Navy only offers a 4-year OMFS program. Is it very likely that the Navy (while keeping me on active duty) would allow me to attend a civilian 6-year program (on the Navy's tab, assuming that additional years be added to my payback commitment)? Has anyone done this or know of anyone who has done this? Odds of it being allowed? Thanks!

This has happened before in the past. There was a resident in my program and at UTSW, both are active duty now repaying their commitment, but a couple of friends on HSCP in dental school had to go through their own military branch 4yr programs after serving one year as a GP. Very rare now with OMFS being one of the most busy specialty overseas. Most combat related injuries are to limbs and maxillofacial region. Prob hard to go the civvie route.

 

[shabu2]

I don't have an answer for your questions, but I am curious to know why people think the 6 year route is better than the 4 year degree? I've been told that most people who want to do academia or be a director of a program etc. should do the combined MD program, but if you want to go into private practice there is no great advantage...just curious to know.
Thanks

All depends on scope, not extra letters behind your name. Most of the best OMFS currently are single degree....

 

[Lodo]

I don't have an answer for your questions, but I am curious to know why people think the 6 year route is better than the 4 year degree? I've been told that most people who want to do academia or be a director of a program etc. should do the combined MD program, but if you want to go into private practice there is no great advantage...just curious to know.
Thanks

What I have gathered is that the 4-year degree is basically just as thorough in training OMFS's...It is having the "MD" that gives a huge advantage in working alongside other MD colleagues in other specialties. I don't claim to know this info first-hand (and I'm sure shabu2 is a better reference than me), however of the OMFS's in practice that I have talked to (including one of a single degree background), they say definitely take the 6-year route if possible.

 

[crazy_sherm]

You could always apply to OS after you finish your commitment to the Navy, then you won't owe them for all that time you were in the residency in addition to dental school. Would you rather have a 4 year or 10 year commitment?

 

[Lodo]

You could always apply to OS after you finish your commitment to the Navy, then you won't owe them for all that time you were in the residency in addition to dental school. Would you rather have a 4 year or 10 year commitment?

Yes, but granted that (on the HSCP) all the years of education and then commitment count toward the pension at 20 years (not to mention full-salary all along the way), paying back time for a 6-year program doesn't sound too bad. I'd just about be at the pension by the time the commitment is fulfilled.

Also, the way you're describing it, it would be quite a while before I would have the oportunity to even begin OMFS...and at my age then age there could be a variety of factors deterring me from just beginning 6 years of med school. You're right, there are a number of different ways to consider things and thank you much for your suggestions. My main interest in this thread though was to get feedback on the chances (based on history) of getting the Navy to allow one of its own do a civilian residency.

 

[penguinteeth]

Yes, but granted that (on the HSCP) all the years of education and then commitment count toward the pension at 20 years (not to mention full-salary all along the way), paying back time for a 6-year program doesn't sound too bad. I'd just about be at the pension by the time the commitment is fulfilled.

Also, the way you're describing it, it would be quite a while before I would have the oportunity to even begin OMFS...and at my age then age there could be a variety of factors deterring me from just beginning 6 years of med school. You're right, there are a number of different ways to consider things and thank you much for your suggestions. My main interest in this thread though was to get feedback on the chances (based on history) of getting the Navy to allow one of its own do a civilian residency.

I am in HSCP program too.
Navy will allow you to go through civilian residency but only four years program.
Navy doesn't need 6 year program currently and they don't need extra degree attached on your uniform. Too bad, if you want 6 year program, you need to wait to finish your commitment and adios to Navy.

I was weighing the value of MD, sigh, I believe this is very politically driven program. It implies DDS or DMD is inferior than MD.
However, it is not true. We already start treating patients way earlier than MD and doing 4 years extra residency to become oral surgeon. Other countries as I know they only have single degree program.
And Navy OMFS program is not that bad if you consider only 4 year program.

Good luck, who knows if we are going to meet in the future in the Navy

 

[Lodo]

I am in HSCP program too.
Navy will allow you to go through civilian residency but only four years program.
Navy doesn't need 6 year program currently and they don't need extra degree attached on your uniform. Too bad, if you want 6 year program, you need to wait to finish your commitment and adios to Navy.

I was weighing the value of MD, sigh, I believe this is very politically driven program. It implies DDS or DMD is inferior than MD.
However, it is not true. We already start treating patients way earlier than MD and doing 4 years extra residency to become oral surgeon. Other countries as I know they only have single degree program.
And Navy OMFS program is not that bad if you consider only 4 year program.

Good luck, who knows if we are going to meet in the future in the Navy

Penguinteeth, I have actually heard of several situations now in which the Navy does allow its officers to attend 6-year civilian residencies (Shabu2 mentioned a couple here and also a current Navy OMFS told me that the Navy allows this on a case-by-case basis). I don't know that it is at all common (which is why I posted here to see if anyone has insight on others) but apparently it can happen. I do agree that it does seem almost entirely political as I've heard from numerous sources who encourage the 6-year route that the 4-year route really is just as good as far as training is concerned (just not looked at as highly by "others"). Good luck to you, and yes, maybe we will meet in the future.

Thanks for everyone's input. I'd love to continue to hear any other additional insight that anyone has as well.

 

[kampuchea]

I'm HPSP and in my 4th year of dental school. I applied for a deferrment to specialize in OMS and was selected. The letter from the admiral gave me the option of doing a 4 or 6 yr program that will be funded by the navy. My understanding is they don't offer the 6 yr very often.

 

[shabu2]

I'm HPSP and in my 4th year of dental school. I applied for a deferrment to specialize in OMS and was selected. The letter from the admiral gave me the option of doing a 4 or 6 yr program that will be funded by the navy. My understanding is they don't offer the 6 yr very often.

Whats the total time payback then to the Navy? Thats a whole of support.