Military route??

[weissbj]

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I am trying to make a life changing decision very soon...whether or not I should go the military route to pay for dental school. I understand how the HPSP program works, but I was wondering if any of you out there can tell me why or why not to do it. Obviously it sounds like a good deal - Im just wondering what others are thinking. Thanks!!

 

[ItsGavinC]

Good referral to the military forum. I am pro-military, but I am against using the military as a route for paying for dental school. I should clarify that by saying that if you are interested in joining the military and the payback is only a side note, then perhaps the military is truly for you.

I think many make the mistake of entering the military and end up with a lifestyle that they, or their spouses and children, can't handle.

My father used the military to pay for medical school, and it was a terrible decision from the standpoint of the family.

You may sleep better at night knowing that the military is helping you with your debt, but don't forget the time that you'll owe them and the lifestyle you'll have during that period. Some may thrive with the military lifestyle, while others may dislike it.

 

[SugarNaCl]

I agree from my uneducated standpoint on the military that you go into the military if you WANT to be in the military...not to pay for school. I'm with Gavin on that one. It would scare me. From my father, who was in the Army and from an MD I know who was in the Air Force... it's all candy when you sign up. They promise you the world and then the table is wiped clean. You have to like the instability and at times broken promises. Some people love it and more power to them. The military is great, but the instability/uncertainty would ruin it for me.

Man, I would make a really bad recruiter. That said our military does a great job so if you decide that route, kudos.

 

[Tooth]

Your are trying to compare military dentistry to military medicie. If you look at the two forums - military medicine is full of disgruntled people who were either lied to by the recruiter (although I don't believe it happens as much as the military docs state) or they went blind into it without talking to others or researching it. Military dentists , overall, don't complain about joining the military nearly as much as military physicians. Why - I can't tell you, but military dentists seems to be more satisfied with their decision than military physicians.

I agree. I imagine this is because, on average, medical school costs less than dental school. I mean, it's really not worth it to them financially. A lot of satisfaction comes from knowing that the military paid $300k for your dental school and stipend. Now, if you're going to a state school thats like $100k or less, you probably won't be satisfied.

 

[reapply2007]

Military dentistry is closer to public health dentistry in concept but with a bottomless pit of potential clients since military dentists need to ensure all personnel are ready to deploy. Depending on circumstances, this will require an annual examination of all personnel assigned to your post plus whatever services are required to get personnel world wide qualified. It's possible to do more or fewer interesting cases as time permits, depending on where you are stationed. However, the military lifestyle isn't for everyone. Being surrounded with the military lifestyle all day everyday can be tiring for some. If I'm not mistaken, a person can accept the military loan for service program almost anytime after starting d-school with a 1-1 comitment in years.

 

[jfitzpat]

I agree. I imagine this is because, on average, medical school costs less than dental school. I mean, it's really not worth it to them financially. A lot of satisfaction comes from knowing that the military paid $300k for your dental school and stipend. Now, if you're going to a state school thats like $100k or less, you probably won't be satisfied.

I think the real kicker for the med guys is the loss of control they experience. As dentists, our career path is pretty restricted (few people going into specialties), whereas in medical, there are many different routes. The biggest things that the doctors complain about are:

1. Having to do a GMO tour before doing residency.
2. Being forced into a speciality that they don't want because they didn't play the military medicine game well enough.

I don't think I would do it as a med student because of the above reasons, but I think it's a pretty good gig for dental students and I'm going Navy.