- Joined
- Jul 8, 2010
- Messages
- 38
- Reaction score
- 5
Hey HPSPers,
I asked this question to a particular poster, but thought I would post the questions for wider feedback, particularly from people in the Army currently or former Army dentists. I have been browsing SDN for a while now and a few big questions have remained unanswered after reading through many of the threads.... mostly concerning the professional day to day life of our MOS and the procedures we do. I'm a 3rd year dental student and fortunately an Army 4-year HPSP recipient. I already did BOLC, so I'm somewhat familiar with the beginning aspects of the Army and am pretty excited to serve. That said, most of what I will be doing in the Army, especially with regard to our profession, remains a mystery. It's still almost a year away, but what in your opinion should I be looking for when I rank my preferences of where I'd go (ignoring issues of location desirability, family concerns, etc). Ideally, I would like to be able to do a variety of procedures to keep my skills up and hopefully even learn some new tricks. Just up front- These questions assume I will be in a post's clinic and not a TOE unit, although I am open to either opportunity.
1. What are the procedures that you have been able to do? What procedures make up most of your day (is it mostly exams and direct restorative, or have you been able to do crowns, endo, anything else more advanced)?
2. Are you able to do more expansive procedures if you show an interest? If yes, what's the best way to go about acquiring new skills/finding a mentor?
3. How much does your duty location affect what procedures you can do? How much does the size of the post affect what you can do? What particular locations come to mind where one would be able to do a variety of procedures?
4. Do you like your current location? If you could choose again, would you choose a different duty location? (or if you have heard anything positive/negative from other HPSPers about other locations, particularly in Europe or the American East Coast. Heard anything about what it's like on a smaller post state-side?)
5. Is there a big difference in what AEGD-trained vs Non-AEGD-trained dentists in the Army can do and, more importantly, what they do on a daily basis?
I haven't decided on the AEGD yet, but I am more curious/ignorant about the 4-year payback and what your life is like as a dentist in the Army. We are soldiers/officers first of course, but what we do in our MOS is really a mystery to me. If you could provide any answers or advice, I would very much appreciate it.
Best Regards.
I asked this question to a particular poster, but thought I would post the questions for wider feedback, particularly from people in the Army currently or former Army dentists. I have been browsing SDN for a while now and a few big questions have remained unanswered after reading through many of the threads.... mostly concerning the professional day to day life of our MOS and the procedures we do. I'm a 3rd year dental student and fortunately an Army 4-year HPSP recipient. I already did BOLC, so I'm somewhat familiar with the beginning aspects of the Army and am pretty excited to serve. That said, most of what I will be doing in the Army, especially with regard to our profession, remains a mystery. It's still almost a year away, but what in your opinion should I be looking for when I rank my preferences of where I'd go (ignoring issues of location desirability, family concerns, etc). Ideally, I would like to be able to do a variety of procedures to keep my skills up and hopefully even learn some new tricks. Just up front- These questions assume I will be in a post's clinic and not a TOE unit, although I am open to either opportunity.
1. What are the procedures that you have been able to do? What procedures make up most of your day (is it mostly exams and direct restorative, or have you been able to do crowns, endo, anything else more advanced)?
2. Are you able to do more expansive procedures if you show an interest? If yes, what's the best way to go about acquiring new skills/finding a mentor?
3. How much does your duty location affect what procedures you can do? How much does the size of the post affect what you can do? What particular locations come to mind where one would be able to do a variety of procedures?
4. Do you like your current location? If you could choose again, would you choose a different duty location? (or if you have heard anything positive/negative from other HPSPers about other locations, particularly in Europe or the American East Coast. Heard anything about what it's like on a smaller post state-side?)
5. Is there a big difference in what AEGD-trained vs Non-AEGD-trained dentists in the Army can do and, more importantly, what they do on a daily basis?
I haven't decided on the AEGD yet, but I am more curious/ignorant about the 4-year payback and what your life is like as a dentist in the Army. We are soldiers/officers first of course, but what we do in our MOS is really a mystery to me. If you could provide any answers or advice, I would very much appreciate it.
Best Regards.