Which military branch for 4-year dental service?

[IcemanDDS]

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If you were to consider a military dental obligation for 4 years which paid for your tuition, fees, stipend, etc, which branch would you choose? (assuming they all offered the same scholarship)

 

[Slash]

If you were to consider a military dental obligation for 4 years which paid for your tuition, fees, stipend, etc, which branch would you choose? (assuming they all offered the same scholarship)

You left out the poll choice: none of the above.

No, seriously, it's not that bad of a deal if you don't mind being government property for four years after dental school. While you will have a "cushy" job within the military, keep in mind that your job assignment may not always be so "cushy." For instance, there is a huge need for military dentists in Iraq right now. So don't think you'll always be practicing dentistry in sunny Ft. Lauderdale as a military dentist. I served in the U.S. Army for 4 years straight out of high school and I'm not about to become government property again once I finish dental school. But overall it's not a bad deal, but it is one you should give very serious thought to before talking to recruiters because they will promise you the moon and sweet talk you.

 

[IcemanDDS]

You left out the poll choice: none of the above.

Well yea I left that out as a choice because I asked IF you were to consider military service, what would it be. Yea I know they will tell you exactly what you want to hear, which is why I'm getting input from real people and not recruiters.

 

[LIer2010]

A friend of mine recently graduated from dental school under military service agreement. He said he chose air force because their dentists/physicians only work in air force bases, which are usually located in cushy, non-dangerous areas.

 

[PDizzle]

Air Force postions go quickly, and not surprisingly. There are always Army positions left over so getting in is not a problem.

 

[DentalNerd]

Are you committed to any reserve duty after you fullfill your initial obligation? I hear that after 4 years of active duty you may have to remain as active/innactive reserve. This would make it difficult to manage a private practice especially if you are called up for any significant amount of time. Can you imagine setting up a private practice and then get called up for 6-12 months. I have no problem fullfilling the initial obligation but after that who knows.

 

[pmoney]

As of a few months ago, there were NO 4 year HPSP AF dental scholarships given out unless you were ROTC or USAFA grad. So if you want 4 year, which makes senese, seeing that the first year of D school is the most expensive, you can go navy or army. While opinions differ, most people don't want to sit on a carrier for 6 months at a time. Then again some people would despise the idea of living in fort polk, la.

If you do go AF route, realize that 50% of the branch is officers (compared with 10% for army) and after talking to a variety of military dentists, they are the most uptight and 'anal' about things. WHile that is not neccessarily a bad thing, just consider any sort of promotions will be extremely difficult in the AF.

Hope it helps.

 

[joebucks]

As of a few months ago, there were NO 4 year HPSP AF dental scholarships given out unless you were ROTC or USAFA grad. So if you want 4 year, which makes senese, seeing that the first year of D school is the most expensive, you can go navy or army. While opinions differ, most people don't want to sit on a carrier for 6 months at a time. Then again some people would despise the idea of living in fort polk, la.

If you do go AF route, realize that 50% of the branch is officers (compared with 10% for army) and after talking to a variety of military dentists, they are the most uptight and 'anal' about things. WHile that is not neccessarily a bad thing, just consider any sort of promotions will be extremely difficult in the AF.

Hope it helps.

The AF has also gone back to offering a 4 year scholarship this year.

 

[Hierodule]

As someone who has done all my dental shadowing with an Air Force dentist who is working off her commitment, I can say it's really a pretty good deal.

The military is a great experience. She (the dentist I shadowed) and I were lucky to get stationed just north of Santa Barbara, CA, on the coast, so it's not exactly a hardship assignment. The Air Force treats you really well. If I didn't want to go to dental school, I would be staying in for 20 yrs....and I just might come back after school.

She is very busy day-to-day but the amount of experience in the clinical setting she is getting is just INSANE.....

 

[IcemanDDS]

Awesome guys, thanks for the input.

 

[Brav989]

Only 20% of USAF are officers according to DoD statistics 😛

 

[pmoney]

Only 20% of USAF are officers according to DoD statistics 😛

You appear to be correct, USAF officers percentage is around 25-30%, but it is much higher and much harder for any sort of promotion than the Army or Navy.

 

[pmoney]

The AF has also gone back to offering a 4 year scholarship this year.

Good news 👍

I had heard about them considering going to 4 year HPSP dental scholarships, but I didn't know they had finally done it.

 

[bkwash]

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