Best Time to do ODC?

[littlej2455]

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I understand that you can complete your ODC (45 day camp) the summer before you start dental school, or the summer after you complete dental school. I was wondering what do you guys think is the better option? Does one have an advantage over the other? What do you actually do in ODC? Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Kahr]

I'm told they (the Navy) prefers you do it before dental school ends (you can also possibly do it while in dental school during a break if you have one long enough that coincides with training dates), because it allows you to go directly to a station out of school.

I've also heard that doing it after dental school is good because everything "Navy" and "officer" will still be very fresh as you go into service. On the flip side, doing it before school or before it ends allows you to go into a residency right out of school should you get selected (this is just what I've heard).

Personally I'm going to try to do it during dental school (as I'm interested in doing a GPR or residency program), doing it before isn't an option for me.

 

[vellnueve]

I'm told they (the Navy) prefers you do it before dental school ends (you can also possibly do it while in dental school during a break if you have one long enough that coincides with training dates), because it allows you to go directly to a station out of school.

I've also heard that doing it after dental school is good because everything "Navy" and "officer" will still be very fresh as you go into service. On the flip side, doing it before school or before it ends allows you to go into a residency right out of school should you get selected (this is just what I've heard).

Personally I'm going to try to do it during dental school (as I'm interested in doing a GPR or residency program), doing it before isn't an option for me.

For an AEGD or GPR you can still do it after school ends - the programs all start on 1 Aug or 1 Sep so there is always 1, usually 2 ODS classes that end prior to 1 Sep.

 

[Kahr]

For an AEGD or GPR you can still do it after school ends - the programs all start on 1 Aug or 1 Sep so there is always 1, usually 2 ODS classes that end prior to 1 Sep.

Ahh, good info, thank you.

 

[redickfan]

What if you ended up applying to and getting accepted into a military residency straight out of school? Would this only be possible if you did ODC prior to graduation?

@vellnueve: I will be starting Tufts under Navy HPSP as well. Can I PM you to ask you a couple question?

 

[vellnueve]

What if you ended up applying to and getting accepted into a military residency straight out of school? Would this only be possible if you did ODC prior to graduation?

@vellnueve: I will be starting Tufts under Navy HPSP as well. Can I PM you to ask you a couple question?

Most of the residencies start in July so you really would want to do it during school even if it meant missing a few weeks.

Feel free to PM me... that's why I'm on this board.

 

[littlej2455]

That is good information to know. I am thinking about just doing it before I start school, so I do not have worry about it after I graduate. I would like to specialize but there is no telling what part of dentistry I will like more than the others. I am trying to go with an open mind.