NHSC Scholarship and specialty down the road?

[ChemistryDentist]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I've been looking a lot into the NHSC scholarship the past couple weeks because of how awesome of an opportunity it seems to be. I have always enjoyed working in underprivileged communities and areas, even if the equipment and setting aren't exactly ideal. Plus, to have all of tuition paid for, it seems like more pros than cons by my books!

However, there's one thing tugging at me a bit. I'm quite honestly not sure whether I want to specialize after dental school or not (haven't decided where I will attend yet either). I love general dentistry from my years of assisting experience, but I find OMFS incredibly interesting and enjoy OS procedures the most. I know the program does not allow students to really do anything but a GPR, AEGD, or peds specialty straight out before the repayment years.

But, could it be possible to go back and specialize after the repayment years? I imagine many might think that is not financially sound considering you will have 4+ years of practice as a general dentist, especially if someone wants to go back for one of those 6-year OMFS programs. I'm not sure how taking the CBSE (or other exams) would work either if one was to do that.

Just looking for advice in general about this. Thanks, everyone!

 

[beakdoc]

I've been looking a lot into the NHSC scholarship the past couple weeks because of how awesome of an opportunity it seems to be. I have always enjoyed working in underprivileged communities and areas, even if the equipment and setting aren't exactly ideal. Plus, to have all of tuition paid for, it seems like more pros than cons by my books!

However, there's one thing tugging at me a bit. I'm quite honestly not sure whether I want to specialize after dental school or not (haven't decided where I will attend yet either). I love general dentistry from my years of assisting experience, but I find OMFS incredibly interesting and enjoy OS procedures the most. I know the program does not allow students to really do anything but a GPR, AEGD, or peds specialty straight out before the repayment years.

But, could it be possible to go back and specialize after the repayment years? I imagine many might think that is not financially sound considering you will have 4+ years of practice as a general dentist, especially if someone wants to go back for one of those 6-year OMFS programs. I'm not sure how taking the CBSE (or other exams) would work either if one was to do that.

Just looking for advice in general about this. Thanks, everyone!

Did you find an answer to this question yet? I'm wondering about the same thing

 

[Ryxndek]

I heard somewhere that OS programs like to take grads straight out of dental school before they’ve had time to practice. How true this is? I’m not totally sure. And there are some specialties like endo that do like applicants to have some prior experience after graduating before going to residency. So I’ve heard mixed things for sure.