license question

[gatorfan99]

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I am currently planning on doing my licensure exam right after I graduate dental school, so that I will receive my license about 2-3 months after I start working in the Army. Will I be able to work as a dentist in the Army during those months before I receive my license?

 

[iLuvDAT]

from what i heard from my navy recruiter, you don't need a liscense to work for the military and will be granted one once your commitment is up. of course you could take the regional exam when you graduate from dental school or do a GPR or AGED to get it on your own. I read somethere that you must hold a unrestricted liscense before going into active duty, and this seems conflicted with the info I got from the recruiter. Can someone care to elaborate on this ?

 

[jmill0]

A few years ago we were given one year to have licensure in one state. I received my license right before I went in so it wasn't a big deal, but some of my fellow AEGD residents had to travel on their dime to go get licensed. You should apply before you leave for OBC. That way all the paperwork is done while your in Texas. SHould be good to go when OBC is all done..........

JKM

 

[BQuad]

Agreed, you should be license in a state of your choice, doesn't matter which one. Take the exams at your school, otherwise the Army will not pay for you to travel to take them. It's not a big deal to go through OBC without a license, but you are expected to have one when you start at your first duty station.

Also there is a financial bonus to having your license before you got o OBC. You are not eligible for your DASP bonus unless you hold a license. This means if you don't have your license when you enter the service, you will only get the DASP for 3 years instead of 4. You have to sign a one year contract each time you get the DASP so if you get your license in September instead of June when you go to OBC, when you get to your last year you will either sign the DASP and be extended 3 months, or work 3/4 of the year and get no bonus. With increases in the DASP under consideration, this could be a fair chunk of money you miss out on.

 

[blankguy]

NY requires a residency to practice instead of the NERB. Does the military service count as a residency?

 

[iLuvDAT]

Agreed, you should be license in a state of your choice, doesn't matter which one. Take the exams at your school, otherwise the Army will not pay for you to travel to take them. It's not a big deal to go through OBC without a license, but you are expected to have one when you start at your first duty station.

Also there is a financial bonus to having your license before you got o OBC. You are not eligible for your DASP bonus unless you hold a license. This means if you don't have your license when you enter the service, you will only get the DASP for 3 years instead of 4. You have to sign a one year contract each time you get the DASP so if you get your license in September instead of June when you go to OBC, when you get to your last year you will either sign the DASP and be extended 3 months, or work 3/4 of the year and get no bonus. With increases in the DASP under consideration, this could be a fair chunk of money you miss out on.

What is OBC? also What is DSAP bonus? So the consensus is to take the exam right after we graduate from dental school

 

[BQuad]

I'm not sure about NY's requirements. If you take the Army AEGD you would be able to get a license there.

OBC is the Officer's Basic Course, it is generally taken either during a summer break if your school has them, or in June after you graduate. It is a 10 or 12 week course in San Antonio.

DASP bonus is the Dental Annual Special Pay, a lump sum bonus given each year you sign the one year contract. I forget the exact amounts, but I think it is $4,000 your first 3 years. There is talk about raising it.

Generally, your clinical exams are given in the spring of your senior year, so that you can get a license near the time you graduate.

Also another financial tip: Remember to save some money for your senior year, you will need money for encouraging patients to show up for boards, money for uniforms, and enough money to last you the month between when you graduate and your stipend stops, to when you come on active duty plus 2 weeks until you get your first pay check.