Navy HPSP AEGD vs GPR vs Credentialing

[Flosse]

I am currently a D4 navy HPSP student who is debating on choices for my first year out of dental school.

I know I want to specialize in endodontics after I get out of the military, so doing a credentialing would get me there faster.

I also understand that the AEGD/GPR will teach me a lot but adds a neutral year that I feel uncertain about. Will I still be competitive coming out of the navy having done only a credentialing tour? I do want to learn a lot and become a better general dentist but not particularly when it makes my service time an extra year.

Also, I prefer the locations for the GPR but understand that it’s mostly for OS. Does anyone have any insight on how different the AEGD and GPR really are?

Also, if anyone is currently in or has recently finished an AEGD/GPR/credentialing, would you please let me know how you felt about your particular program?

Thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

I did a credentialing tour, but I had friends who did a GPR/AEGD. They all felt it was a waste of time and regretted tacking on an extra year. There was no difference whatsoever in our day-to-day. You’re gonna get stuck somewhere doing exams and restorations regardless.

Big Hoss

 

[SirBrotherJam]

I did a credentialing tour, but I had friends who did a GPR/AEGD. They all felt it was a waste of time and regretted tacking on an extra year. There was no difference whatsoever in our day-to-day. You’re gonna get stuck somewhere doing exams and restorations regardless.

Big Hoss

It’s hard to disagree with what you’re saying. I think it might be more advantageous to do a GPR especially if the candidate isn’t highly competitive. When I was applying to Endo, I had people ask me why I didn’t do one in the Navy, and saying that they’re not worth it doesn’t jive well with these folks. Navy looks good. Navy + GPR looks better. Navy + GPR + good stats/lor is highly competitive for Endo.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

It’s hard to disagree with what you’re saying. I think it might be more advantageous to do a GPR especially if the candidate isn’t highly competitive. When I was applying to Endo, I had people ask me why I didn’t do one in the Navy, and saying that they’re not worth it doesn’t jive well with these folks. Navy looks good. Navy + GPR looks better. Navy + GPR + good stats/lor is highly competitive for Endo.

OP will need to decide how much of a bump they’ll need in their application to be competitive.

Big Hoss

 

[averageasian]

Your experience is totally what you make of it + who runs your Credentialing tour/AEGD/GPR.

I am on deployment right now and had just 2 weeks dedicated of OMFS and Endo each during my credentialing tour. I had a lazy credentialing tour coordinator.

I had 0 perio, ortho, pros (useless to you on a ship anyways). I spent extra time on my own doing impacted 3rds and molar endo to get ready for the ship. If you make the effort to be better, you will be. No amount of "rotations" (glorified shadowing) is going to make you a better dentist.

If you don't mind the extra year, do it. My mindset was getting deployment out of the way early on in my payback and also getting out as soon as possible.

 

[Greyangel6]

Did 10 month of AEGD and got out before the program ended for reasons I will not go into on this post. I can tell you that my AEGD knowledge was a waste of my time. I am on my 6th year in the Navy and been overseas all my career so far and access to instruments and personnel will be the limiting factor of what you can do, not your skillset. If you are set on getting out, take the shortest route.