Does taking a HPSP limit you if you were able to specialize right out of school?

[SexyMariGal]

What I've read so far as it pertains to the HPSP and military residency looks like this:

Take the HPSP.
Graduate from dental school.
Enter the military and most likely do a GPR/AEGD for 1 year.
Pay back 3-4 years active duty in the military for the HPSP depending on when you accepted it.
During that time of payback, if you get into a military residency, concurrent payback time of the HPSP is counted during your residency.
Then more active duty payback based on the time spent in the military residency program.

This is all fine and dandy when it comes to military residencies, but I've been trying to find this answer about getting into civilian residencies straight out of dental school. I haven't been able to find this answer yet in the other ask a military dentist threads.

For example, if a fourth year dental student matches into a civilian residency program right before they graduate from dental school, does this delay their active duty payback obligations? Can they go and start their residency program, or does the military not even let them go to the civilian residency and require them to start paying back their 4 years of active duty for taking the HPSP? Thank you for your help.

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[vellnueve]

HPSP students cannot apply for civilian residency unless they are approved by the military board that selects those who will be trained each year. If you get approved and then match to an out-service residency then the payback is consecutive, not concurent.

 

[AFDDS]

What I've read so far as it pertains to the HPSP and military residency looks like this:

Take the HPSP.
Graduate from dental school.
Enter the military and most likely do a GPR/AEGD for 1 year.
Pay back 3-4 years active duty in the military for the HPSP depending on when you accepted it.
During that time of payback, if you get into a military residency, concurrent payback time of the HPSP is counted during your residency.
Then more active duty payback based on the time spent in the military residency program.

This is all fine and dandy when it comes to military residencies, but I've been trying to find this answer about getting into civilian residencies straight out of dental school. I haven't been able to find this answer yet in the other ask a military dentist threads.

For example, if a fourth year dental student matches into a civilian residency program right before they graduate from dental school, does this delay their active duty payback obligations? Can they go and start their residency program, or does the military not even let them go to the civilian residency and require them to start paying back their 4 years of active duty for taking the HPSP? Thank you for your help.

For the AF it's the same as above, but needs some explanation.

If you want to apply to a residency right out of dental school, you will need to discuss with AFPC and get permission. We do allow this for some undermanned specialties. You may be selected to attend one of our programs or you may be allowed to try for the match. As with many things, timing is everything. How and when you apply and are accepted, will make a difference on how you pay it back. If you are on active duty and apply to a residency program and you go to a civilian program, the payback is consecutive. If you are accepted to a civilian program before graduation and are allowed an educational deferment, you will be on your own to pay for the civilian program and you won't owe any time for residency training. You would just come on AD and payback your HPSP as a specialist. Keep in mind, this doesn't happen often and would only happen if we are short in a specialty. So it will never happen for ortho or endo for sure.

 

[krmower]

What I've read so far as it pertains to the HPSP and military residency looks like this:

Take the HPSP.
Graduate from dental school.
Enter the military and most likely do a GPR/AEGD for 1 year.
Pay back 3-4 years active duty in the military for the HPSP depending on when you accepted it.
During that time of payback, if you get into a military residency, concurrent payback time of the HPSP is counted during your residency.
Then more active duty payback based on the time spent in the military residency program.

This is all fine and dandy when it comes to military residencies, but I've been trying to find this answer about getting into civilian residencies straight out of dental school. I haven't been able to find this answer yet in the other ask a military dentist threads.

For example, if a fourth year dental student matches into a civilian residency program right before they graduate from dental school, does this delay their active duty payback obligations? Can they go and start their residency program, or does the military not even let them go to the civilian residency and require them to start paying back their 4 years of active duty for taking the HPSP? Thank you for your help.

The Army does not allow you to apply for and match with civilian residencies unless prior approval is given (it has not been given in the recent past).

As an HPSP resident in the Army you may apply for most dental specialties within the Army. Each year they adjust slightly which ones you can apply for, but generally - 2 yr AEGD, OMFS, Prosth, Perio can be applied for. Some years Ortho, Endo, and Pedo are also allowed to graduating seniors. Oral Path and Public Health are usually reserved for those that are already on active duty.