Joining the military dental corp as an orthodontist

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BlueToothHunter

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I've been qualified as an orthodontist for a while (18+ months) and am thinking about the armed forces. Has anyone left the civilian orthodontic position for the military orthodontist position? Can you please share your experience? e.g. Pay grade, deployment, benefits etc.. If your spouse is also a dentist, can you request to be in the same city/base?

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I've been qualified as an orthodontist for a while (18+ months) and am thinking about the armed forces. Has anyone left the civilian orthodontic position for the military orthodontist position? Can you please share your experience? e.g. Pay grade, deployment, benefits etc.. If your spouse is also a dentist, can you request to be in the same city/base?

Hello,

I really don't know if you can just get picked up as an orthodontist. Orthodontist slots are very few...and the ones that are needed are usually obtained through training programs in the military.

Anyone else help here?
 
Hello,

I really don't know if you can just get picked up as an orthodontist. Orthodontist slots are very few...and the ones that are needed are usually obtained through training programs in the military.

Anyone else help here?

I would agree. Not many of those slots available. Best bet is to contact a recruiter to find out the ground rules. Typically, in the AF, if a specialist wants to come on active duty, the recruiter will contact our consultant for that specialty and they will let them know if we have a need for someone with that training before they are accessed.
 
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i don't know for certain, but i would guess it wouldn't be too difficult to join the Army as an orthodontist. there aren't many slots, but i'd be willing to bet that a new slot could be made.
the Army can't keep orthodontists in past their minimum committment time, so i wouldn't think getting in would be a problem.
 
If you are a Dentist and you are currently working in a specific area like Orthodontist, Periodontist, Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon, etc. You can apply to the Army Dental Corps in your area of Specialty. It is a Board Process to determine if you qualify or not.
 
My friend is going to graduate in Perio and wanted some info on the AF. He basically wanted to know what they can offer him for a Perio position in the AF. Anyone have any numbers of contact I can pass over to him?
 
My friend is going to graduate in Perio and wanted some info on the AF. He basically wanted to know what they can offer him for a Perio position in the AF. Anyone have any numbers of contact I can pass over to him?

As a Temple Alum - I'm hurt you didn't consider the Army :)

j/k I did read the Perio program has had a lot more applicants - when I was there it used to barely get enough to run the program.
 
My friend is going to graduate in Perio and wanted some info on the AF. He basically wanted to know what they can offer him for a Perio position in the AF. Anyone have any numbers of contact I can pass over to him?
Did you get what you needed?
 
I am thinking about the Army Reserve. I spoke to the recruiting officer today who seemed to be elated that a board-certified orthodontist wants to join the Reserve.

I am going to send him some email to clarify some points but $75,000 special pay ($25K x 3) for dentists and specialists joining seems to be very low. It's only two days per month and 2 weeks per year we need to commit. Money is not the issue for me though. I currently make around that from one of my many part-time jobs!

1. BOLC(?) Basic officer leadership training in Houston for three weeks... how did you like it?

2. BOG(?) Boots on Ground.. 90 days deployment? As an orthodontist what are the chances?

3. Dental Unit vs. Army Unit... I seemed to have understood that these were two separate categories?

4. Any army dentists/reserve dentists out there... how many times did you see someone with braces in the army? Have you actually spoke to any orthodontists in the force? What were their perspective?

5. I am 34 and not really considering starting my own practice soon... but can most dental specialists maintain army reserve duties with private practice? I am only working as a per diem orthodontist, and is it going to be easy to take time off from work?

Cheers!
 
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