That's a pretty impressive VA program (in San Antonion). I had a good experience in Philadelphia's VA program but definitely does not have everything the OP wants or everything that you get in San Antonion - there is no IV sedation, no pedo, no ortho, pretty much no esthetics, no CEREC. There is also minimal on-call (which is great). To answer the OP's question, I would definitely say a VA program is the way to go. Not worrying about finances and creating awesome treatment plans is the best way to get experience. I placed 10 implants, did a ton of extractions, did a ton of prosth (including implant crowns, bridges, and dentures), did 80 cases for Endo (half molars), bunch of Operative, and some perio surgeries. Most of my co-residents did not do 80 cases of endo btw, I sought them out.
I used to look for (while researching what GPR/AEGD to go to) what programs place implants. That and molar endo was a really big criteria for me. I've now completely changed my mind after residency. I don't think GENERAL DENTISTS should place implants UNLESS they went to a residency that highly highly trains in implants. A few I know of are: Albert Einstein GPR, some residency in Augusta, GA (can't remember if it's a gpr or aegd), and I believe a residency in Alabama (again can't remember which one). These guys place 60+ implants and have a lot of lectures and training on implants, bone grafts, sinus lifts, etc. After placing 10 implants, I could place some successful implants in the posterior region, but I'm not comfortable with bone grafts, sinus lifts, and especially anterior region. I've seen A LOT of implants fail, and those were placed by oral surgeons and periodontists. How many general dentists are better than them? Bone grafts don't always work, the anterior ridge is quite unpredictable and the angulation can be tricky, the mental foramen and sinus can screw you. A lot of cases would end up just fine, but I know that there could be several times where I could find myself not knowing what to do. I placed 10 implants, watched a ton of other implant placements, and had lectures on it....but I'm no where close to an expert which is why I've decided not to place implants. That's my program though. Most GPR programs don't place any implants and like I said, there's only a very few that probably train their residents to be able to go out in the real world and place successfully. The 98% success rate you always learn about is not true. Just something to think about.
