Current army dentist or veteran dentist, could you please share your experience?

[Yellow_tiger]

I received a call a couple weeks back that I got the Army HPSP scholarship. I decided to attend University of Maryland since I am instate. Even with the low tuition cost for Maryland, I still think HPSP is the way to go when considering the numbers. The only thing that worries me is the experiences as a dentist in the military. So the question is:

Does the experience vary greatly depending on where you are stationed at? for example, at a large base, are you stuck with exams?

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[laker2019]

I would be interested to hear what some current/past military dentists have to say about this as well!

 

[Tooth Ferry]

I received a call a couple weeks back that I got the Army HPSP scholarship. I decided to attend University of Maryland since I am instate. Even with the low tuition cost for Maryland, I still think HPSP is the way to go when considering the numbers. The only thing that worries me is the experiences as a dentist in the military. So the question is:

Does the experience vary greatly depending on where you are stationed at? for example, at a large base, are you stuck with exams?

What you will do as an active duty general dentist who hasn't done the 2-year general dentistry residency (AEGD-2) will vary significantly based on the size of your base and the number of specialists there.

 

[Yellow_tiger]

Thank you for responding.

That worries me the most. I am afraid I will not feel competent after four years.

Something to think about before I decide to commission.

Thanks again!

 

[FutureDent020]

You’ll be a little behind, but you’ll catch up. The only thing the military doesn’t offer you is the advanced fixed procedures a lot of GP’s are doing these days. When you get out of the military and apply for jobs, you’ll still be WAY ahead of students coming out of school and a super valuable asset to offices. You’ll be quick with exams, restorations, basic Endo, simple extractions, and simple prosth. Solid foundation to build on. You won’t have any debt and will actually make money/ invest while active. You don’t get paid that much but expenses are low and benefits make a huge difference. It’s weird, as the person doing it, sometimes you don’t know if it’s worth it. But if it’s between a lot of debt or no debt, it’s worth it.

 

[Yellow_tiger]

FutureDent020,

Thank you for your response. I hope in the Army, if I go out of my way to learn more, other dentist or specialist will be willing to teach me. I am going to do what I can to make the most out it.

 

[toothdriller2k17]

almost done with my commitment with the army. stationed at a large base CONUS. literally all i do is exams and operative. i haven't done a root canal in over a year, or a simple extraction for that matter as well. havent done much cad/cam either.

do i feel behind compared to my classmates? absolutely. but i also like not having to pay $4k a month in loans for the next god knows how many years. overall i'm grateful for serving, but i don't see myself staying in past the initial commitment.

 

[Tooth Ferry]

almost done with my commitment with the army. stationed at a large base CONUS. literally all i do is exams and operative. i haven't done a root canal in over a year, or a simple extraction for that matter as well. havent done much cad/cam either.

do i feel behind compared to my classmates? absolutely. but i also like not having to pay $4k a month in loans for the next god knows how many years. overall i'm grateful for serving, but i don't see myself staying in past the initial commitment.

Did you do an AEGD-1?

 

[chlrbwls]

I suggest enrolling in this FB group Military Dentistry

This will show you what some residents/post residency dentists are doing now a days with right "credentials"

I am Navy but with my post-GPR "credentials" I do far more than operative / exams.

I do a lot of implant restorations, cad/cams, surgical ext, gum surgeries, a few molar endos over the past 2 years.

All of your clinical experience will vary depending on where you are. ( I am overseas command with no specialists except OMFS)

 

[toothdriller2k17]

Did you do an AEGD-1?

no

 

[apicalforamen]

no

bingo.

 

[GOCHARGERS]

bingo.

to piggy back off the other doc's comment, i went straight in and im at a post with all specialties. I do the same procedures as the 1 year grads--drill, fill, exams, single unit prosth... only difference is they get to do oral sedation and endo retreats...that's pretty much it. so it really depends on where you are and your coworker dynamic. if the specialists are territorial, chances are you won't get to do much

i also know docs in korea that went straight in and are doing whatever they want. it's all luck of the draw

 

[Henna]

almost done with my commitment with the army. stationed at a large base CONUS. literally all i do is exams and operative. i haven't done a root canal in over a year, or a simple extraction for that matter as well. havent done much cad/cam either.

do i feel behind compared to my classmates? absolutely. but i also like not having to pay $4k a month in loans for the next god knows how many years. overall i'm grateful for serving, but i don't see myself staying in past the initial commitment.

I am thinking about joining the Army, I don't have loans and have over 15 yrs of experience. DO you think Army would be a good option of me?

 

[yappy]

I am thinking about joining the Army, I don't have loans and have over 15 yrs of experience. DO you think Army would be a good option of me?

Why do you want to join the military?