military dentist?

Question

I want to be a dentist and am thinking towards the military. I am wanting to know more about the health professions scholarship program (for dentistry specifically). Also, I would really like to know what a projected career path would be for a dentist (like how many years to progress in rank). If there are any past military dentists out there, could you share with me your experiences. Thank you for all who answer.

Answer 1

I was an HPSP student for the Veterinary Corps and it was a great deal. Vets and dentists get about the same deal. You only owe 3 years active duty when you get out, none of that residency stuff unless you choose to do it. They commission you as a 2LT in the Medical Service Corps (MSC) while your in school. You do a couple of weeks hanging out with, in your case, an Army Dentist, during the summers, and that's your duty for the year (it's also very easy to get that waived if you have other plans...I got mine waived to go do a summer civilian internship if Africa!) In the mean time, they pick up the tab on all your tuition and expenses, and you get your housing stipend (BAH, Basic Allowance for Housing). HPSP scholarships are few and far between though...don't be disappointed if you get turned down...keep applying each year. (I knew a former Army Ranger who was an active duty sniper before he went to Vet School, and they turn him down for 3 years and finally gave him a scholarship his last year of school!) That makes for a great student life, having that stipend! I'll guarantee you won't have to keep up that ramen noodle and hot dog diet with that paycheck rolling in! The only people in your class with a better finacial situation than you will be trust fund brats.

At graduation, you get transfered to your corps (from MSC to the Dental Corps) and promoted to Captain (O3). After school, you go to the Officer Basic Course (OBC) at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX...the "home of Army medicine." OBC is NOTHING like "boot camp" at all. It's about 4 months long and you only spend about a month of it in "the field"...the rest is in a classroom. They have changed this some since I went through OBC though, and I think you have to go to BOLC (pronounced Bullok...stands for Basic Officer Leadership Course) before you come to San Antonio. It's a little more "Hooah" than when I went through...I think the medical officers go to Ft. Sill in Lawton, OK. A healthcare recruiter would know all the details on that (note that the healthcare recruiters are NOT the ones you'll find at your local recruitment station...they don't know crap about the medical corps!) Try http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/ to find one close to you! They will probably come to your Dental School (if you are already in) to do a recruitment presentation. They can probably set you up with an Army Dentist that you could talk to as well, and maybe even go "shadow" for a day or two. The regular recruiters have probably never even seen the applications for HPSP.

As far as career progression, it depends on a few factors. You'll go to your first duty station and just be a dentist. If you stay in longer than your minimum 3 years, you'll want to start attending courses like the Captains' Career Course in order to get promoted. You usually have to complete an overseas assignment before you'll make Major as well...at least 12 months stationed anywere outside the US, or 10 months deployed. Note that Hawaii and Alaska count as "overseas." Some overseas assignments take a couple of years (some in Germany are 3) and others are just one year (Korea, Bahrain) At least for Veterinarians, it takes about 5-6 years to make MAJ, I would assume it's about the same for Dentists. You'll at least make LTC/O5 before you would retire...and "full-bird" COL/O6 if you don't hack anybody off and you stay on top of your military course requirements (more required for each promotion). That's about as high as you can go unless you make general officer...there's only a few of those in all 6 medical corps combined! You get lots of mentorship for promotions and there are PLEANTY of opportunities for what we call "LTHET" or Long Term Health Education and Training. That's what you'd apply for if you wanted to specialize or do a board certification or something like that. (Oromaxillar surgery is hot right now with all the facial injuries!) That's also a great deal as the Army picks up the tab the entire time. If they don't offer a program for your specialty, you can get "school of choice." Which means you pick the college/residency you want, they pay you your active duty pay, and you wear civilian clothes and go back to school for your program!

In addition to rank promotions, you get a pay raise at least every couple of years. The military in general gets about a 2-3% pay increase each calendar year...and you'll make more for your time in service (like at 2 years in, then 3,4,6,8, etc...there are pay scales available all over the internet.)

Overall, I HIGHLY recommend it! I never planned on joining the military...I did it just for this scholarship. I was planning on the "3 year plan" just to pay off the student loans I amassed prior to the scholarship...but I'm staying in now (if you get HPSP, you will NOT be eligible for the loan repayment programs they offer some people). The medical corps are a great environment...and the Army Dentists are some CRAZY people! I spent many a crazy night on the Riverwalk with some dentists during OBC...and I play poker with some of them every week now! FUN CROWD and every one of them are really excited about their jobs and happy with their chosen paths!

Best of luck and maybe someday you'll be the Army Dentist helping me out with a root canal on one of my Military Working Dogs!

Answer 2

Military Dentist

Answer 3

I just saw a retired O5 Navy Officer today, he said he started as an enlisted dental assistanted then applied for school to become a dentist and the got commissioned work his way up to O5 and was teach at Marquette University and wanted him to sit behind another desk and not teach which he loved and wanted him to move (he has three kids in HS) to make 06 so he retired and joined this practice with a couple of other retired O5 but his specialist in root canals and things just think I let a Navy officer work on my teeth Army

Answer 4

I'm not a dentist but I have been in the service and your rank going in depends alot on schooling among other things. They do rank depending on years of service and also the need for the job you are doing. Good luck on your choice to serve it is a good choice even in this day with all that is happening

Answer 5

Just a word of warning, the military is slowly "contracting out" many of its services like dentistry. At many posts they just hire civilians dentists. There are still plenty of openings, but it is probably more competitive than it used to be.

Answer 6

You should look into an ROTC program and dentists, like Doctors and Chaplains come in as Captains instead of 2LTs...sorry I don't know any more...

Answer 7

Eat goats cheese as an alternative to regular cheese. It contains 40 per cent fewer calories than the cheese constructed from cow’s milk.

Answer 8

Sign up with the nearest recruiter, go to MEPS processing, them boot camp and then your military dental school. That is how it works for every enlisted member.

Answer 9

Suck the item in. Consciously hold in and contract your abdominals while you’re walking, sitting pictures desk or making the supper. This will help to strengthen your ab muscles and your core, and provide one step closer to a new flatter stomach.

Answer 10

Eat goats cheese rather than regular cheese. It contains 40 % fewer calories than the cheese constructed from cow’s milk.

Answer 11

Beans, beans, are great for your heart, the more consumed the more you... lose bodyweight actually. Super-effective and full of fibre, beans will regulate your appetite and reduce the rate at which the stomach empties, meaning you be fuller for longer.