How bad does the Army need dentists?

[ajaxkid]

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I am currently an Army aviator applying to dental school. I know its highly unlikely that the army will release me before my active duty service obligation for aviation is up, but I was hoping the need for dentists right now was high enough to possibly trump the aviation branch in a branch transfer. Anyone heard anything official about the needs of the dental corps or who might be a good person to talk to about it? Thanks for you help

 

[Blando]

Honestly man, they have been hurting for a while now, enough to jump the stipend up to 1600 this year and up to 1900 next year. they're also talking about a 20k bonus possibly for army hpsp peeps. that navy is already doing it. i would definitely seek it out, never hurts to ask and find out. if you search for hpsp threads on military.com or google you will find some articles a guy named tom philpot? wrote(i think i butchered his last name) where he talks about hpsp numbers being down in the army and navy.

 

[BQuad]

I replied to your post under "Ask and Army Dentist".

But the Army is hurting. Out of 120 HPSP scholarships this year, as of July they had only been able to give away 16 this year. In four years, they are going to be hurting, and badly.

 

[Deep Impact]

I replied to your post under "Ask and Army Dentist".

But the Army is hurting. Out of 120 HPSP scholarships this year, as of July they had only been able to give away 16 this year. In four years, they are going to be hurting, and badly.

Seriously? Wow, only 16... Maybe the Army will need to "borrow" some dentists from the AF side since they are fat and happy with their quota. That's crazy man. I thought the numbers in the Navy was bad...

 

[MaxAnn]

The Army is hurting across the boards. So many people don't agree with the focus of the war that they shy away from dealing with the military altogether. Being as you are already in the Army, I think you have as good a chance as any for getting the hpsp.

Most likely, if the Army's numbers for dental hpsp students doesn't get any better, they are going to have to borrow Navy and AF dentists, much in the same way they are Navy and AF "supporting" the Army and Marines in Iraq.

At some point in the near future, there is going to have to be a draw down in troops and/or deployments because there aren't enough servicemen and women in the military.

 

[jmill0]

I am currently an Army aviator applying to dental school. I know its highly unlikely that the army will release me before my active duty service obligation for aviation is up, but I was hoping the need for dentists right now was high enough to possibly trump the aviation branch in a branch transfer. Anyone heard anything official about the needs of the dental corps or who might be a good person to talk to about it? Thanks for you help

I read in the Army Times a few months ago that the Dental Corps was the shortest in ALL the officer quotas for the Army. They are running at like 48% of "capacity". I would not be at all surprised if they would let you transfer to the Dental Corps as it will solidify another officer in the Army for a few more years. They may try to add the four years obligation for an HPSP to your remaining contract though and keep you for like 6-7 years as a dentist. Check with the military medical recruiter. I'm sure they will do everything they can to get you to the Dental Corps.

JKM

 

[Cowboy4life]

ajaxkid,

I am in the same situation as you right now - have you found out any new information on branch transfering into the dental corps?