How do I become a competitive applicant for the Army 1 Year AEGD program after dental school with the HPSP scholarship. What is looked at when applying? Is it class rank and grades only or also stuff like research, community service etc? I am trying to figure out how to give myself the best chance of getting the AEGD. Thank you!
Army Army 1 Year AEGD
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I quickly looked up an old post on here. Airborne Dentist, who was on the board, said that GPA, class rank, LOR, board score, extracurriculars and your letter of intent are all factors. GPA and class rank are the two criteria weighed most heavily.
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primarily class rank. only 1 person in my school got it of like 10 people on hpsp
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Wow, it's that competitive for the Army? Almost everyone who applied for it got it in the navy lol
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It may just be my perception but it seems like most people who want the 1yr end up getting it. This may be because people who want the 1yr put more effort into LORs and personal statements but it could also be more people turning it down. I know one person who accepted but I think everyone else I know was either offered a spot they turned down or was placed on the waitlist and then offered a spot. From what I've seen in my limited time in the Army it may be a good decision for those who need more clinical training than their school provided but will end up with pretty much the same job responsibilities after completing the 1yr as someone straight from school after graduation.
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That completely contradicts what I have heard from several people currently on active duty and those that have separated from the military. The general consensus has been that if you don't want to end up on the dreaded amalgam line then you should complete a 1 or 2 year AEGD. That doesn't mean you won't be placing amalgam restorations as an AEGD grad, but you will be more qualified for endo, crowns, 3rd molar extractions, etc. Based on what I've heard, clinic leaders trust AEGD grads more and don't need to be supervised as much.
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This is the same consensus that I got from reading through endless threads here. Hopefully someone can genuinely answer this questions. I thought I was the only one out there thinking the same thing, glad there are more than 1 of us in this boat haha.
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My info comes from a couple faculty members at my school that are prior service, posters on SDN and Dental Town, podcasts, AEGD grads and graduates of my school that are currently active duty. Still, it doesn't hurt to hear from more people.
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what would be your thoughts for someone who works at a smaller base with fewer specialists vs. a 1 year aegd?
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Absolutely - doing the 1yr AEGD makes you, on average, MUCH more qualified than someone straight from dental school - plus you are (possibly) credentialed to do more "advanced" procedures as well
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You can only do what you are credentialed to do - big trouble with possible disciplinary actions if you try to "cowboy" around that
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Both parties are right to some extent. I'm currently in the 1 year AEGD and I can tell you that you will definitely be credentialed to do more once you graduate from the residency than someone who comes straight in out of school. While you may be credentialed to do perio surgery, endo, appropriate third molar cases ect. it does not mean you will actually be doing them on a daily or even weekly basis. You will definitely not be credentialed to place implants. What you end up doing will depend on your assigned base and clinic, what kind of access patients at those clinics have to specialists, and the mission and patient flow of that particular clinic and the unit it serves. You will almost certainly have more trust from clinic OICs but ultimately, Alphas exist in the Army to serve large numbers of soldiers with basic dental needs. Even as an AEGD grad, you can expect a pretty regular load of exams, operative and sick call. If you decide to pursue the Advanced Clinical Provider program, you'll have an excuse to get into a greater variety of procedures. I would absolutely recommend the AEGD even if you don't utilize the skills you gain as often as you would like in the following years. I've learned a lot about what I love to do and what I dislike and now know which specialty I want to pursue. I can understand those who just want to do their minimum payback as well but it's valuable experience.
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Not saying I disagree with anything else you may have heard but just commenting on my experiences so far. I can see how a commander would be more comfortable having a 1yr AEGD grad in a smaller clinic with more responsibility or going on a deployment. Things vary clinic-to-clinic and post-to-post but at the end of the day a 63A's mission is dental readiness which usually means exams, sick call, pulps, operative, some crowns (single units are considered operative), and some extractions if thats what you want to do...
Completing the 2yr AEGD is what puts you in another class - leadership opportunities open up and are encouraged, if you want to practice you usually get a more experienced assistant and flexibility with scheduling whatever procedures you want (so long as the clinic is meeting its mission). While is is possible to complete a career in the Army as a 63A, almost no dentists attain the rank of Colonel without speciality training (2yr Bravo residency counts as a speciality, 1yr does not). Most people I've talked to enjoyed the 1yr and did it to grow as a dentist, to gain new skills, and to figure out what their next move was - they didn't do it expecting do be super-dentists or to put them on a career track, that is what the 2yr Bravo residency does.
There will be a difference in credentialing between the 3 groups, with Bravos clearly having the most privileges. For those who don't know, credentialing basically means a list of procedures/skills that you are allowed to practice after proving your are competent (basic skills from graduating dental skills, more advanced skills from residency training/specialist endorsement) - you submit a list of skills to your OIC on a clinic level that then gets approved at with command leadership. While 1yr grads can get privileges for molar endo and perio surgery anyone can do molar pulps and "simple gingival procedures". A basic skill on the list of those that basically everyone can get out of dental school is exodontia, including surgical extractions. Straight out of school I am fully credentialed to do a simple gingivectomy/distal-wedge or take out full bony third molars if I feel comfortable with it. So while I agree with above in some respects (I am absolutely not going to be doing molar endo, but neither will most AEGD-grad providers if an endodontist is available) I don't see so much of a stark distance between 1yr grad responsibilities or coming straight from school. We are both 63As at the end of the day, and if we have been competently trained, are confident, and our mission allows for it we can do a lot more than just work the amalgam line (which doesn't really exist any more).
Completing the 2yr AEGD is what puts you in another class - leadership opportunities open up and are encouraged, if you want to practice you usually get a more experienced assistant and flexibility with scheduling whatever procedures you want (so long as the clinic is meeting its mission). While is is possible to complete a career in the Army as a 63A, almost no dentists attain the rank of Colonel without speciality training (2yr Bravo residency counts as a speciality, 1yr does not). Most people I've talked to enjoyed the 1yr and did it to grow as a dentist, to gain new skills, and to figure out what their next move was - they didn't do it expecting do be super-dentists or to put them on a career track, that is what the 2yr Bravo residency does.
There will be a difference in credentialing between the 3 groups, with Bravos clearly having the most privileges. For those who don't know, credentialing basically means a list of procedures/skills that you are allowed to practice after proving your are competent (basic skills from graduating dental skills, more advanced skills from residency training/specialist endorsement) - you submit a list of skills to your OIC on a clinic level that then gets approved at with command leadership. While 1yr grads can get privileges for molar endo and perio surgery anyone can do molar pulps and "simple gingival procedures". A basic skill on the list of those that basically everyone can get out of dental school is exodontia, including surgical extractions. Straight out of school I am fully credentialed to do a simple gingivectomy/distal-wedge or take out full bony third molars if I feel comfortable with it. So while I agree with above in some respects (I am absolutely not going to be doing molar endo, but neither will most AEGD-grad providers if an endodontist is available) I don't see so much of a stark distance between 1yr grad responsibilities or coming straight from school. We are both 63As at the end of the day, and if we have been competently trained, are confident, and our mission allows for it we can do a lot more than just work the amalgam line (which doesn't really exist any more).
This is some great information and very helpful for me in deciding whether to pursue a AEGD or not. I am very interested in learning about more complex procedures after dental school and to keep performing them so as to not get out of a routine. I am specifically interested in learning more about placing implants, molar endo, cad-cam and exodontia. It seems that with the 1 year AEGD we may still not be able to do these procedures routinely after the residency. Would it be wise to do the 2 year AEGD instead? I do want to be that "super-dentist", but will most likely only do the minimum number of years in the military. Would the 2 year AEGD prepare me well so that I would be able to perform the breadth of procedures that I'd like to do in private practice?
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If you can arrange to visit a 2 year program while in dental school, do it. I went for a few weeks between third and fourth year and got a feel for it. I was impressed with the breadth of their training. The residents work pretty hard in lab, preparing cases, presentations, mock boards, research projects for their masters. The 2 year residency is becoming more popular from what I've seen and while it's certainly possible to be accepted straight out of dental school, you better be a pretty awesome applicant. The Army often likes to get to know you and your commitment level before accepting you for specialty residency. In fact, a few of the residents I met had already completed the 1 year program while others had deployed so you realize that these slots aren't just given to any willing dentist. There are plenty of people who apply to start an army residency that will begin after their first four years of ADSO are paid back so they get a general dentists retention bonus while in residency so a number of the applicants have been around for awhile.
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Addressing your questions in order:
1. Implants: you will probably get some experience placing implants in a 1yr residency but I've never heard of any 63A being able to place implants on their own; 63B get experience placing implants in residency and will likely be able to after residency if their clinic has the resources and their post has the need (being near a OMS/perio residency will affect this) - in the past I heard 63Bs at my current clinic placed a lot implants but now that is not an option (need on post met elsewhere so we don't have the supplies anymore)
2. Molar endo: 1yr grad can get credentialing here but likely won't be doing too much endo of any kind unless your clinic/post need it (63As without 1yr training won't be doing any molar endo but will likely have a lot of pulps); 63Bs can do a lot of endo, maybe retreats if they are comfortable - at my current clinic no Alpha or Bravo does any endo since we are not set up for it as there is plenty of specialist support on post
3. CAD/CAM: this is becoming huge in the Army, pretty much anyone can do this and is encouraged to (straight from school, 1yr grads, Bravos). My clinic doesn't have implant or even endo equipment but we have a CAD/CAM scanner, mill, and oven (zirconia has to be fired at another clinic with a bigger lab). The Army is moving towards CAD/CAM in a big way with most clinics having everything they need, and if not at least the ability to have a neighboring clinic fabricate the crowns.
4. Exodontia: every Army dentist is credentialed to take out teeth, and you can request surgical extraction privileges straight out of school too. You will get good training doing this in any residency since there is a need in the Army, but anyone motivated to take out teeth can do so.
I've heard really great things from people who did the 1yr, the only downside being the extra year you'll be in if you plan on doing the minimum ADSO. The learning experience in both the 1yr and 2yr residencies will vary location-to-location and depending on the director / needs of that post. However, the trend seems to be people like the 1yr way more than the 2yr. One year grads have done full mouth reconstructions, lots of endo, and taken out full bony thirds. I regularly hear that you do more clinical dentistry and get better hands on experience in the 1yr residency than the 2yr - literally more hours spent treating patients in 1yr vs 2. This is because the 2yr has a HUGE didactic component with a ton of lectures, boards, lab work, and an epic amount of paperwork - there are a lot of hurdles that need jumping though to get those extra skills and credentials.
At the end of the day while you might want to be that super-dentist (and the Bravo program can mostly get you there) the Bravo program exists to serve the Army as a pipeline for its future leaders, clinic OICs, 1yr program directors, and dentists that can be the only guy at a clinic or a FOB. A Bravo can do a ton of procedures, don't get me wrong, but they often end up in leadership roles that drastically cut into chair time.
1. Implants: you will probably get some experience placing implants in a 1yr residency but I've never heard of any 63A being able to place implants on their own; 63B get experience placing implants in residency and will likely be able to after residency if their clinic has the resources and their post has the need (being near a OMS/perio residency will affect this) - in the past I heard 63Bs at my current clinic placed a lot implants but now that is not an option (need on post met elsewhere so we don't have the supplies anymore)
2. Molar endo: 1yr grad can get credentialing here but likely won't be doing too much endo of any kind unless your clinic/post need it (63As without 1yr training won't be doing any molar endo but will likely have a lot of pulps); 63Bs can do a lot of endo, maybe retreats if they are comfortable - at my current clinic no Alpha or Bravo does any endo since we are not set up for it as there is plenty of specialist support on post
3. CAD/CAM: this is becoming huge in the Army, pretty much anyone can do this and is encouraged to (straight from school, 1yr grads, Bravos). My clinic doesn't have implant or even endo equipment but we have a CAD/CAM scanner, mill, and oven (zirconia has to be fired at another clinic with a bigger lab). The Army is moving towards CAD/CAM in a big way with most clinics having everything they need, and if not at least the ability to have a neighboring clinic fabricate the crowns.
4. Exodontia: every Army dentist is credentialed to take out teeth, and you can request surgical extraction privileges straight out of school too. You will get good training doing this in any residency since there is a need in the Army, but anyone motivated to take out teeth can do so.
I've heard really great things from people who did the 1yr, the only downside being the extra year you'll be in if you plan on doing the minimum ADSO. The learning experience in both the 1yr and 2yr residencies will vary location-to-location and depending on the director / needs of that post. However, the trend seems to be people like the 1yr way more than the 2yr. One year grads have done full mouth reconstructions, lots of endo, and taken out full bony thirds. I regularly hear that you do more clinical dentistry and get better hands on experience in the 1yr residency than the 2yr - literally more hours spent treating patients in 1yr vs 2. This is because the 2yr has a HUGE didactic component with a ton of lectures, boards, lab work, and an epic amount of paperwork - there are a lot of hurdles that need jumping though to get those extra skills and credentials.
At the end of the day while you might want to be that super-dentist (and the Bravo program can mostly get you there) the Bravo program exists to serve the Army as a pipeline for its future leaders, clinic OICs, 1yr program directors, and dentists that can be the only guy at a clinic or a FOB. A Bravo can do a ton of procedures, don't get me wrong, but they often end up in leadership roles that drastically cut into chair time.
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ZD26,
How large of a gap do you think exists after 4 years between a dentist without a 1yr AEGD, and one with the 1yr AEGD, in terms of procedures/privileges? Obviously there'd be a difference when each doc starts year 1, but does it "even out" at all after 4 years of experience?
How large of a gap do you think exists after 4 years between a dentist without a 1yr AEGD, and one with the 1yr AEGD, in terms of procedures/privileges? Obviously there'd be a difference when each doc starts year 1, but does it "even out" at all after 4 years of experience?
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If your question is about procedures/privileges that the Army authorizes you to perform then the answer is yes, there would still be a gap after 4yrs (although I wouldn't have called it large to begin with). From what I understand, its not common to gain additional privileges outside of completing additional training. However, what your day-to-day schedule will look like is highly variable and depends on a ton of things including the needs/resources of the clinic/post, what specialists are available, and what you like to do. In a clinic with multiple dentists, some like doing prosth/anterior composites/exodontia/pulps and some don't so the cases get funneled as such. In all likelihood a 1yr trained dentist will be doing more advanced clinical dentistry but there are always exceptions (leadership roles, brigade dentists, deployments, etc). I really just want to dispel the notion that if you don't do a residency after graduating you will get stuck on "the amalgam line" - the are periods at many clinics where someone gets stuck doing exams or operative for a while but that's not the norm. The 1yr is a great experience for most people who complete it - it helps build skills dental school didn't develop, earn more privileges, and build a resume for a military career. Just be aware that your military experience is what you make of it - if you don't complete a residency you can still do a lot more than just exams/amalgams if you want to put the effort in.
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Agree with above.
My main reason for doing the 1yr AEGD was actually because I didn't feel like my dental school education was anything but "basic, bare bones" dentistry and I felt that I truly needed more supervised experience. I am truly grateful for the experience I got from my 1yr, like it was said above: tons of endo, extractions, crowns (including a few full mouth cases), implants as well, all of this under the watch of board certified, incredibly competent (unlike some of the jokers I see running civilian programs, IMHO) specialists that are there to truly teach you, not "beef up their resume" (again from what I seem in some civilian programs)... my 2 cents
My main reason for doing the 1yr AEGD was actually because I didn't feel like my dental school education was anything but "basic, bare bones" dentistry and I felt that I truly needed more supervised experience. I am truly grateful for the experience I got from my 1yr, like it was said above: tons of endo, extractions, crowns (including a few full mouth cases), implants as well, all of this under the watch of board certified, incredibly competent (unlike some of the jokers I see running civilian programs, IMHO) specialists that are there to truly teach you, not "beef up their resume" (again from what I seem in some civilian programs)... my 2 cents
