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How frequently have people taken time off from the military and gone into civilian residency programs?
Whats a sign on bonus? and is it really $200 k
Do you have answers about entering the reserves in Canada and studying dentistrySimilar to Deep Impact's Navy thread.
If you have a question about Army Dentistry, drop a line and I'll try to answer to the best of my ability from my experience.
My tours so far:
Loma Linda - 4yr HPSP
Ft. Lewis- 1yr AEGD
Camp Casey, Korea- 1yr
Ft. Richardson, AK - 1yr
Camp Bucca, Iraq - Been here 8 months
My father actually did the 2 Year Residency when he was in the Dental Corps so I know a little about the program.
Here's my 2 cents:
Pro's:
1) 2 Yr AEGD will make you a great private practice general dentist (you won't have to refer as much out) and you will learn a ton more than you have in dental school.
2) If you decide the Army is where you want to practice, then you have a jump start on other officers because you will have your residency completed, so you can get board certification pay sooner and will be set as far as promotions go.
Con's:
1) You are probably more deployable after doing a 2 year residency and are more likely to be assigned to a deployable unit (which means 15 month tours right now)
2) You will gain more skills in the 2 year, but some of what you learn you won't be comfortable performing on patients in a private practice setting when you don't have the specialist next door to ask questions. For example, I did several perio surgeries in the 1 Year but haven't done any since so I probably won't be doing any when I get out.
3) You lengthen your commitment. How long is your commitment with a 2 year scholarship? Is it just 2 years or is it 3? The reason I didn't consider the 2 year out of school is that it would be 2 years residency plus 2 years additional payback, which would commit me for 4 extra years in the Army and I'm glad I didn't do that.
4) You extend you commitment for little return on the private practice side. After the residency you will still be a general dentist and you may make more than others because you won't have to refer as many patients out, but you won't be making as much as if you did an ortho or endo residency.
Regarding deployments, there is a proposal in Sec Gates office right now trying to get tours for dentists down to 6 months, but this will only be for dentists that are pulled from a clinic to deploy, those actually assigned to field units will still be going for 15 months. Another thing to consider is that if you don't do the scholarship, you are not deployable for your first year in the Army, they give you a year to make sure you are up to speed and can handle sick call and the type of things you would see if you are deployed. I think you will be less likely to deploy if you don't do the residency, you may still get stuck with it though. You will be non-deployable while in the residency, but you are making a gamble on there being fewer deployments by the time you are done with it, for now it looks like we are going to be stuck over here a long time and as long as there are troops there will be dentists with them.
If it was me, I would pass on the residency this round, and feel out the Army before committing any more time. You can always reapply for it because they always need 2 yr residents. With 15 month deployments, I can't in good faith recommend staying in the Army to anyone with a family. If your family is not ready to support you in the decision you make, than it is the wrong one for your family. I met my wife after I was committed and it has been really tough on her because I've had to put the Army first.
Good luck, I hope that helps some.
AEGD stands for advanced education in general dentistry (I think). I believe each of the branches offer it. For the Army it is a 2 year program, which at the conclusion if you pass your board, will qualify you as a specialist. Meaning that you are eligible for a large multi year retention bonus if you decide you would like to make a career of the military.
Do you have answers about entering the reserves in Canada and studying dentistry
But what happens if in the 1 year you don't want to specialize, would that essentially have been one wasted year?
Also why would anyone want to just do a one year over a 2 year AEGD besides less academic work in the one year.
Also you mentioned that the one year AEGD isn't as good as the air force's. WHat makes the air force one year AEGD program better than the army.
Good post umkcdds!
I forgot about the new program for the 9F designation (Also known as ACP, Advanced Clinical Practice). The drawback to it is that it would take at least 2 years to complete all the requirements to get the extra money and I've been out of the AEGD for almost 4 years and due to hardship tours and deployments, couldn't have completed their checklist even if i wanted too.
Sounds like you did a lot more in your program than I did in mine, so maybe the Army 1 year programs have improved.
The big one I was thinking of is the Expert Field Medical badge which because of where I have been, I haven't been able to attend.
I've just been told by the recruiter and several army dentist that the 2 yr aegd program may count towards the payback time. Is there any truth to that? I know the 1 yr aegd doesn't count towards payback.
So, let's say I do NOT do an AEGD or any specialty. Where do dentists usually get sent? I know we are supposed to be able to choose, but do they send us a list of where you can go? Are there particular bases that get deployed often? Are there certain bases that deploy to certain places? I expect to get deployed, but I just want to know if I can "predict" where I go!
yes....the two-year counts toward payback....but you also incur two more years. so, you still end up still owing four years after your complete it.
and it should be easy to get selected for. this year, there were 20 positions available and only eight or twelve (i don't remember exactly which number) were filled. everyone who applied for it was selected.
You are absolutely wrong. If you do the 2 year AEGD (specialty program), you end up serving for a total of 8 years. ( 4 years + 2 years of AEGD + 2 years )
That's why this program is unpopular and only a few spots have been filled.
But if you do the 1 year AEGD (neutral non-specialty program), you only have to serve 5 years. (4 years + 1 year of AEGD)
Read the find prints carefully as the recruters can say anything they want to make you stay longer in the army/navy/AF.
It's been mentioned that if you decide to make the military a career that specialization is the way to go. How does that work? It seems that seniority counts when applying?
if you are planning a career, then you will almost certainly have to specialize. you could "specialize" general dentistry, by doing a 2-year AEGD.
without completing a specialty program, there is very little chance of going above the LTC rank. if you are passed up for promotion twice, you are usually boarded out of the Army. it is possible to go 20 years and retire as a LTC, just not very probable, especially in the Dental Corp.
doctor_pureness, as a new member, you better site a source for your information before jumping down the throat of an active duty dentist that is trying to help you guys get as much information as possible before you sign up. If you don't mind your manners, you're not likely to get any help when you need it.
According to the memorandum that was sent out on Sep 7th 2007,
(2) Example: If a 3-year HPSP student is accepted into the AEGD 24-month program and starts in July 2008, his first 2 year on AD in the ADGE 24-month program will not count as part of his ADSO. When he completes the AEGD, he will have a 3-yr ADSO for HPSP and a 2-yr ADSO for AEGD.
Memorandum from whom???? I could have sent out a memo and it wouldn't mean much. State who the memo was from as part of the source. Otherwise, it is hearsay. Thanks.
The last I heard, in order to apply for the OMFS program, they require you to spend two weeks with a oral sugeon, in sort of a crash course on OS.
A letter from a senior general dentist will help also, since all the 2 yr AEGD residents spent time with oral surgeons.