Question Concerning Choosing Base Location and AEGD-1

[Lev2001]

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So, I read every post possible here, and the main consensus is to take an ARMY AEGD-1. I plan to take the 1-year residency and complete the rest of my four years. This would hopefully allow me to become a competitive applicant for Civilian residency ( I am debating between endo, pros, and period). I heard some interesting stories about the 1-year program, though. I read several posts and blogs stating that it increases my likelihood of being deployed as an MTOE brigade dentist. I read some horror stories describing that I couldn't even DO dentistry while deployed. The problem with these stories is that they are outdated and that there are a lot of contradictions. This is where I would like some clarification: I read people say that taking an AEGD-1 allows me to have better flexibility when choosing a location through AIM-2. On top of that, it makes no sense....The Army prefers that one be a stronger dental professional by taking the residency. People told me that I would be a dentist first, THEN an officer (I read others say otherwise). I really need some clarification in this case, there is so much conflicting information.

 

[knewstance]

People told me that I would be a dentist first, THEN an officer

This is never true. You are always an officer first, and you just happen to be a dentist.

If your career goals are to specialize, you should probably just apply for that from the start and skip the AEGD1. If you don't get the specialty residency, skip the AEGD1 and get out asap so you can use the GI Bill to pay for your civilian residency.

The only reason I'd recommend the AEGD1 is if you want to stay in the military long term, or you had limited exposure/experience in dental school and need another year of dental school.

 

[Lev2001]

Can you please further clarify why the AEGD-1 is not worth it? I heard it allows you to break out from the Amalgam train. I know many dentists could improve their skills through moonlighting and asking to learn from specialists. I know that location matters, as well as who is in command. Also, to comment on being an "officer first," it is kind of hard to believe the money invested by the military would turn out to be just another officer, especially when they encourage everyone to become more highly competent dental professionals via the AEGD residency.

 

[knewstance]

Also, to comment on being an "officer first," it is kind of hard to believe the money invested by the military would turn out to be just another officer

You'll learn quickly that the military doesn't make sense. It doesn't matter who you are, you are a soldier first. An officer second. And a dentist somewhere down the line when they finally need you as a dentist. I come in early and shovel the walkways for my clinic when it snows. I call patients to reschedule them when they miss appointments. I counsel young enlisted soldiers that need life advise. I advise higher ups based on my day to day interactions at the clinic level. And then after all of that (and plenty of other things), I might do something that actually requires the licensing that I have.

What you've heard is exactly what they tell young officers to convince them to do the program. You will go where the Army needs you, and more likely than not, that is either doing mainly exams or fillings (amalgam is generally only used by clinicians choice). If you have gone to a school where you have good experience, your learning from the AEGD1 will be less impactful.

 

[D1Bound]

AEGD or not, if the army needs mass exams done or big amalgam build ups, you’ll be doing them. It’s funny because the private sector does everything better than the government. You would learn more dentistry faster by simply moonlighting. You’d also earn more money.

 

[Lev2001]

That's what I am planning to hopefully do! Any advice on doing that? Just do it during the weekends?

 

[D1Bound]

That's what I am planning to hopefully do! Any advice on doing that? Just do it during the weekends?

Save up all your leave and moonlight 1-2 times during the week a month, and then throw in a Saturday or Sunday here and there.

 

[Nmcoy]

Echoing what others posted about being a soldier first, dentist second. However, I will also say that it’s correct that location matters. I did an AEGD-1 and my situation post grad allows me flexibility in the cases I do. Of course, I have mass exam days or days where I’m just doing big restos for soldiers deploying, but my OIC gives flexibility in doing specialty procedures multiple days a week, if I want them. Not to downplay the scenarios others talked about, because I know this situation is not par for the course and your results may vary depending on location, clinic, OIC, and needs of the army. Either way, you should be prepared to do whatever the army tells you to do, as that is your first and foremost duty and obligation.
Also, I will disagree a little bit on people saying not to do an AEGD-1. I think if you are considering specializing, you can still apply to the residency of your choice and also apply to the AEGD. If you know what you want to specialize in, and apply and get selected for the specialty, awesome! If not, you still have an excellent opportunity at the AEGD. You gain so much more exposure to the different facets of dentistry than you otherwise would. Also can help you decide what you might want to specialize in. I had a coresident very passionate about oral surgery, but after the residency decided that field wasn’t for him. Just as I had another resident decide they wanted to do perio after falling in love with it during the AEGD. Not only does it boost your skillset, but I think even more valuable is the huge increase in your knowledge base. You will graduate knowing so much more than you did before, and I think that’s an under-appreciated aspect of the programs. It will also give you good connections with the mentors of your program that could be useful in your career.
Not to mention, it will only help bolster your future application to a specialty residency, and will look good. All in all, I recommend doing an AEGD if you aren’t already accepted into another residency.

 

[ArmyToothDoc]

So, I read every post possible here, and the main consensus is to take an ARMY AEGD-1. I plan to take the 1-year residency and complete the rest of my four years. This would hopefully allow me to become a competitive applicant for Civilian residency ( I am debating between endo, pros, and period). I heard some interesting stories about the 1-year program, though. I read several posts and blogs stating that it increases my likelihood of being deployed as an MTOE brigade dentist. I read some horror stories describing that I couldn't even DO dentistry while deployed. The problem with these stories is that they are outdated and that there are a lot of contradictions. This is where I would like some clarification: I read people say that taking an AEGD-1 allows me to have better flexibility when choosing a location through AIM-2. On top of that, it makes no sense....The Army prefers that one be a stronger dental professional by taking the residency. People told me that I would be a dentist first, THEN an officer (I read others say otherwise). I really need some clarification in this case, there is so much conflicting information.

You are an Officer (& leader) in the US Army, so you will go where the Army needs you. If the Army only needs a dentist, then they would hire a civilian one.

Doing a 1-Year AEGD has 2 major benefits:
1. Much easier transition into the Army to learn how to be an Officer and a new Dentist from dedicated mentors. It's a year where you get to learn dentistry without any additional duties with 7 other new grads.
2. You get to work and learn how to do procedures 1-on-1 with multiple specialists. Do you know how much live patient CE with specialists costs in the private sector? Here you get to do that for 12 months, which sets you apart from others who didn't do one.