Each December applications are taken for specialties. The board just met and selected applicants, so your next chance to apply for OMFS will be next November 2013. You can apply as a dentist without having already joined the military. If selected you must join the Army. You will not start residency until the following summer (18 months later), so you will work as a general dentist prior to that. Although you can apply as a civilian, your chance will be better once in the military.