Questions about Navy Oral Surgery, Pay, Other Residencies

[Velma Dinkley]

Hello, I'm considering going for Oral Surgery in the Navy as part of my HPSP payback. I also considered endodontics as well and hoped to glean some insight.

-How much are you paid as an oral surgery resident in the Navy? Is it the same you would make as a general dentist serving?
-I've heard it is less competitive to get in than in the civilian world . (But still hard, its still Oral Surgery). How much truth is in that statement?
-I've been considering doing Endodontics as well, ideally two years in so that I can do payback for HPSP and the residency concurrently. How competitive is that? How is the pay as an endodontic resident?
-How is the work as an oral surgery resident? I've researched and found that it's a lot of trauma, which is pretty exciting actually. I'm also aware that it's incredibly demanding, like 80 hours a week. Any other comments?

Any comments and insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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[FutureDent020]

Hello, I'm considering going for Oral Surgery in the Navy as part of my HPSP payback. I also considered endodontics as well and hoped to glean some insight.

-How much are you paid as an oral surgery resident in the Navy? Is it the same you would make as a general dentist serving?
-I've heard it is less competitive to get in than in the civilian world . (But still hard, its still Oral Surgery). How much truth is in that statement?
-I've been considering doing Endodontics as well, ideally two years in so that I can do payback for HPSP and the residency concurrently. How competitive is that? How is the pay as an endodontic resident?
-How is the work as an oral surgery resident? I've researched and found that it's a lot of trauma, which is pretty exciting actually. I'm also aware that it's incredibly demanding, like 80 hours a week. Any other comments?

Any comments and insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

1) Same pay as a general dentist during your residency
2) I honestly think it’s more competitive. It’s less applicants, but you’re vying for what, 8 spots a year? Those 8 are extremely qualified.
3) Endo is also very competitive. Besides OMFS it’s the most popular or desirable specialty in the Navy. You’ll need to do some networking as soon as you get in and start working under endodontists to prepare for your app. LOR’s and relationships go a long way. Not sure how many residents they are even taking this year. Pay as a resident will be whatever it would be as a general dentist at that time in your serve back.

Some brief answers. But should help a little.

 

[chompsss]

Your intern year is definitely going to be more than 80 h per week, especially when you're on service. R2-R4 may also be more than 80 h per week. Endo would definitely be more chill. But choosing your next 30-40 years of career based on the 2-4 years of residency should be done with caution. Choose what you want to do long-term.

And there are only 6 spots per year and usually 15-20 applicants. There are often 1-2 outservice spots each year too, but those aren't always there. So it's very, very competitive.

 

[vellnueve]

You sound like you haven’t done much research onto this. I suggest you peruse the boards more.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

-I've heard it is less competitive to get in than in the civilian world . (But still hard, its still Oral Surgery). How much truth is in that statement?
-I've been considering doing Endodontics as well, ideally two years in so that I can do payback for HPSP and the residency concurrently. How competitive is that? How is the pay as an endodontic resident?

This year OMS had 17 applicants and 10 were selected. Endo had 18 applicants and 3 were selected.

Looking at these numbers, Navy OMS is relatively comparable to the civilian world from what I know. Endo on the other hand is much more difficult. Good luck getting into Navy endo straight out of school. And if I remember correctly, both endo and ortho incur a 3 year payback even though the residency is 2 years.

Navy - DUINS Results FY20

LIST OF FY20 DUINS SELECTEES BY DENTAL CORPS TRAINING PROGRAM SELECTEES FOR RESIDENCY TRAINING IN COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY Fifteen (15) applications for residency training in Comprehensive Dentistry were reviewed. The following six (6) applicants are recommended for selection with five (5)...

forums.studentdoctor.net

Big Hoss

 

[FutureDent020]

Applying to Endo in-service is ridiculously tough now. Everyone basically has the exact same resume. Top 20% of their class, AEGD/ GPR, ship duty/ overseas deployments, surface warfare devices, works under endodontists at shoreside clinics, table top clinic research, mentor AEGD residents, lots of cases completed, conferences attended, etc. You have to either really have networked well somehow or shown an over the top commitment to the military. Now take that same resume and put it out to civilian programs and you are a competitive applicant most places.

 

[averageasian]

If you look at past years DUINS boards, i dont think an ENS (someone fresh outta DS) has ever matched into endo immediately. By the time you have a resume that matches your fellow officers , you'll probably be close to done with your 4 year payback. only do the military endo if you want to be a career officer.

@Big Time Hoosier took one for the team, did his 4 years, and is going to a non-tuition peds residency. I plan on also doing my 4 years and going back to school afterwards.

It seems like separating and applying to civilian residencies is the way to go for all specialties except OMFS. The military seems to give a leg-up to those who pursue civilian residencies from what I've read on here. There are several senior members here who are specialists that did the Navy first.

@Big Time Hoosier what did the PDs think of your military service?

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

If you look at past years DUINS boards, i dont think an ENS (someone fresh outta DS) has ever matched into endo immediately. By the time you have a resume that matches your fellow officers , you'll probably be close to done with your 4 year payback. only do the military endo if you want to be a career officer.

@Big Time Hoosier took one for the team, did his 4 years, and is going to a non-tuition peds residency. I plan on also doing my 4 years and going back to school afterwards.

It seems like separating and applying to civilian residencies is the way to go for all specialties except OMFS. The military seems to give a leg-up to those who pursue civilian residencies from what I've read on here. There are several senior members here who are specialists that did the Navy first.

@Big Time Hoosier what did the PDs think of your military service?

Someone got into endo straight out of dental school a few years back. The catch is they previously were a fighter pilot O4 in the USMC. They had paid their dues.

My military service seemed to be a significant plus on the interview trail last year, as well as for all my friends that have gone on to specialize from the military.

Big Hoss

 

[BBDentist3]

Why is it not as common for OMFS? Is an intern year often needed after your military payback?

 

[Greyangel6]

I'm a new LT doing my PY-1 AEGD training and was looking into doing endo in-service. I am under the impression that having awesome FITREP bullets, solid LORs and networking will be a way to get into endo DUINS. I will apply next year and year after, if I don't get it then I can still do civilian training after I separate in 5 years xD...