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grant555
I have to say that I am giving considerable thought as to taking an HPSP(Health Profession Scholarship Program) from the Navy. Despite the tuition coverage and monthly stipend, I think there are a few anciliary benefits. For one, a dentist I shadowed told me that she borrowed 200K just to start her practice not to mention the 120K she had in dental school tuition, and also the 15k in undergraduate debt. She was 32 and had a 3 yr old daughter when she went to dental school and worked as a dental assistant part time throughout to help ease the debt,which worked but only marginal. I don't want to spend any time during my dental education worrying about loan interest rates. Her practice was busy and successful, but she owed huge sums of money even after nine years of steady business and growth. The interest alone on debts that large could take years and could be a burden. For years, dentists had the highest suicide rate in the country and are still up there with doctors all do to debt that eveyone assured them they could pay off, but could only see themselves deeper in the hole everyday. I am not equating the Navy as the savior from severe depression and ultimate suicide. However, having prior military experience and a ton of life experience, I can say that nothing worries a person in business for themselves more than money. And you will be there by yourselves. No Doctors without borders or special federal relief fund will come in to save you when you're 400K in debt. No one.
At least with the Navy, you won't be running three times a week on a ship, but will probably have 12; 45minute appts a day which is comparable to a modest practice in the real world. In addition, you will have ample time and experience to hone your skills b/c not every dental school prepares you for the real world. More than one dentist has told me that. At some good schools like Baylor and Nebraska only a hand ful of students even take the AEGD residency b/c they felt they were ready or it could be that they were ready to pay off the debt.
Either way, I think the HPSP is a great option. You will have the time and patient flow diverse enough as the navy to see folks from many backgrounds, but there won't be any children on a battleship or carrier. You will at least be able to save money to help ease the startup cost of a major practice and may not have to borrow any money at all to start a modest or small practice. Remember, you can start small with great equipment at cheap cost and expand with waterfalls and the live band later as you grow. Limiting school debt and personal debt will lighten if not eleviate the burdens of overhead once you're on your own and you really are on your own. Rent will be your cheapest expense, while employees will be the most expensive due to benefits and FICA.
For a quick look into Navy dentistry, view the page below. Navy dentists and docs see Marines b.c Marines are a division of the Navy. The Coast Guard docs and dentists are supplied by the Public Health Services Corp.
Well, I hope to take advantage of the Navy HPSP and concentrate on honing my skills and gaining speed free from litigation and pressure of money. How does one gain insight and comfort into their profession if they can't see the gum line for being dazed by the bottom line? Just food for thought. Have a great day. Learn more on my website
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/2001102413733
View my websitehttp://www.blackdentaledge.com
At least with the Navy, you won't be running three times a week on a ship, but will probably have 12; 45minute appts a day which is comparable to a modest practice in the real world. In addition, you will have ample time and experience to hone your skills b/c not every dental school prepares you for the real world. More than one dentist has told me that. At some good schools like Baylor and Nebraska only a hand ful of students even take the AEGD residency b/c they felt they were ready or it could be that they were ready to pay off the debt.
Either way, I think the HPSP is a great option. You will have the time and patient flow diverse enough as the navy to see folks from many backgrounds, but there won't be any children on a battleship or carrier. You will at least be able to save money to help ease the startup cost of a major practice and may not have to borrow any money at all to start a modest or small practice. Remember, you can start small with great equipment at cheap cost and expand with waterfalls and the live band later as you grow. Limiting school debt and personal debt will lighten if not eleviate the burdens of overhead once you're on your own and you really are on your own. Rent will be your cheapest expense, while employees will be the most expensive due to benefits and FICA.
For a quick look into Navy dentistry, view the page below. Navy dentists and docs see Marines b.c Marines are a division of the Navy. The Coast Guard docs and dentists are supplied by the Public Health Services Corp.
Well, I hope to take advantage of the Navy HPSP and concentrate on honing my skills and gaining speed free from litigation and pressure of money. How does one gain insight and comfort into their profession if they can't see the gum line for being dazed by the bottom line? Just food for thought. Have a great day. Learn more on my website
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/2001102413733
View my websitehttp://www.blackdentaledge.com
