Moving around the country... need advice

[predent12]

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Hello,

I will be entering dental school this fall. I am excited to enter the field and it is something I have been working toward for a while.

My concern has to do with being able to practice in many states. My boyfriend is in the Navy and we are planning on getting married. This means that I will have to move around quite often.

Some of the states that we may have to move to are: Connecticut, Virginia, Florida, Hawaii, California and Washington. We plan on being as strategic about this as possible, but sometimes you just have to do what the Navy says.

I am planning on taking the NERB, and doing a year residency in general practice. I know that the NERB or a residency is accepted by these states, (well, I think California is moving towards allowing you to practice if you've done a residency?) but does that mean I will be able to practice in them?

For example, I found recently that Florida accepts the NERB, but you must work full-time within your first year. This probably won't happen for me. Does that mean that I won't be able to practice there ever? Will I have to re-take an exam? (Yuck!!)

Has anyone ever been in this situation that might be able to offer me some advice?

Many thanks!

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

I cannot answer this. You are more likely to gethis question answered by a military dentist than anyone else on this site. Military dentists only need to be licensed in one state to practice in the military. Sometimes, mlitary dentists choose to moonlight on the weekends or evenings if a place has openings and evening hours. If they want to moonlight where they are stationed, then they need licenses in every state they go to. That is why a militay dentist may be better to ask. I would also suggest going to Dentaltown to ask this one.

 

[tingting]

PM Sent

 

[predent12]

Thanks to both of you!

 

[Saddleshoes]

1. Have you considered joining he navy yourself?
2. Look into working for the Navy as a civilian dentist. You may not need a license in the state the navy base is in if you are working on naval personnel.
3. Don't worry about this issue toady. You have a long way to go before this becomes a REAL issue in your life and much can change in the mean time.

 

[predent12]

2. Look into working for the Navy as a civilian dentist. You may not need a license in the state the navy base is in if you are working on naval personnel.

I didn't even know this was a possibility! Thanks so much for your advice! I am happy to take a pay cut or whatever is necessary in order to stay with my boyfriend. I just did a few seconds of research and already found someone who did this in Japan, which is amazing!

Ahhh feeling so much better already. Thanks to everyone for your help!

P.S. I have considered joining the Navy, but I don't think it's for me. I'm very proud of my boyfriend for what he does, but I want to have children almost immediately upon finishing dental school, (I am much older than the normal 22 year old entering D-school,) and so I want to work part time (if possible) and I definitely don't want to be deployed. Anyway, thanks again for your help!!