Ask an Army Dentist

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Is it a bad idea to have a pet (dog or cat) if I'm a single guy in the Army? I plan on applying for both US and overseas stations. Seems like places in the US would be fine, but can I take my pet with me if I go to a foreign country (ex: Germany, Korea)?

I don't have a pet yet, but obviously the Army comes first and I don't want to have to give it away if going overseas. Anyone ever been in that situation?
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You can have pets, but many locations outside of the continental US (including Hawaii) have strict quarantine rules or rules about breeds of dogs that are allowed. You will definitely want to take those things in consideration when deciding whether to get a pet, or the impact of going to a particular location.
 
Hey everyone, I got a call from my recruiter today saying that only now I'm cleared for my MEPS physical. I have a pending waiver thats waiting on my physical result.

So after my physical, the results will be sent in and then once my waiver gets approved, my packet will be sent in.

At this point, do you think its too late for the army hpsp scholarship?
 
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I'm an enlisted active duty 68E, or dental specialist, about getting shipped to basic training. I joined through MAVNI program and have no academic background in dental area at all... Any advice on my first duty station "wish list" and Army career in dental corp?
 
Whono - You will not find this forum to be very useful (unless you want to become a dentist). You are better off asking your fellow dental corps friends/NCOs - a "good" location for an officer isn't necessarily a "good" location for an enlisted soldier (cost/location/clinic size/etc...)
 
Someone seemed to indicate that you'll be wearing your scrubs while working in the clinic, and ACU's all other times. Is this true, and does this mean you're able to wear comfortable footwear (not combat boots) most of the day?
 
This may have been addressed earlier in this thread, I just don't have time to run through 38 pages worth of posts. I received the HPSP with the Army today and have 30 days to accept the offer. My biggest concern is deployment in terms of time away from potential family (currently, there is no wife or child or consider -- but you always hear of people meeting their spouse in dental school or during that time of their lives). Within the 4 years of active duty commitment, what are the odds of having to be separated from family for an extended amount of time?
 
VolDental said:
This may have been addressed earlier in this thread, I just don't have time to run through 38 pages worth of posts. I received the HPSP with the Army today and have 30 days to accept the offer. My biggest concern is deployment in terms of time away from potential family (currently, there is no wife or child or consider -- but you always hear of people meeting their spouse in dental school or during that time of their lives). Within the 4 years of active duty commitment, what are the odds of having to be separated from family for an extended amount of time?
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I'm currently only a D1, but the odds of someone being deployed today might be drastically different in the next 5-9 years. From what I understand now, there are usually more volunteers to deploy than there are spots. However, who knows what the future holds as far as another war breaking out and those odds increasing dramatically. I have a wife and two kids and I accepted the scholarship with a real possibility that I may deploy and we will be separated for a time. It was an easier decision for me because I was able to talk to my wife and have her be okay with it before I signed up where you don't have that luxury.
 
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After reading some past threads about dentistry in the Army, I was wondering if amalgam is still as popular? With advancement in composite and bonding technology, are we allowed to use composite whenever we want, assuming isolation can be obtained?
 
Do you guys know anything the army board looks for? It seems like this year a lot of guys with really high stats and unique extra curriculars didn't get the scholarship. Is there anything that weighs more than another?
 
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VolDental said:
This may have been addressed earlier in this thread, I just don't have time to run through 38 pages worth of posts. I received the HPSP with the Army today and have 30 days to accept the offer. My biggest concern is deployment in terms of time away from potential family (currently, there is no wife or child or consider -- but you always hear of people meeting their spouse in dental school or during that time of their lives). Within the 4 years of active duty commitment, what are the odds of having to be separated from family for an extended amount of time?
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Yes, its true that deployments aren't as common as they were during the height of the Iraq war... However, you never know what the future might bring you..

Bottom line is that if you are not willing to sacrifice yourself to serve your country in a combat zone then forget about a military scholarship, its as simple as that < why would Uncle Sam pay for your education if you can't bring yourself to do that?!
 
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ktran17 said:
After reading some past threads about dentistry in the Army, I was wondering if amalgam is still as popular? With advancement in composite and bonding technology, are we allowed to use composite whenever we want, assuming isolation can be obtained?
Click to expand...

Amalgam is still very popular (but so are posterior composites)
 
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smurfeyD said:
Do you guys know anything the army board looks for? It seems like this year a lot of guys with really high stats and unique extra curriculars didn't get the scholarship. Is there anything that weighs more than another?
Click to expand...

From what I hear, the Army has been meeting its quotas for dentists for the past few years without any issues.. I think timing is also VERY important, apply as EARLY as you can!
 
gatorfan99 said:
Yes, its true that deployments aren't as common as they were during the height of the Iraq war... However, you never know what the future might bring you..

Bottom line is that if you are not willing to sacrifice yourself to serve your country in a combat zone then forget about a military scholarship, its as simple as that < why would Uncle Sam pay for your education if you can't bring yourself to do that?!
Click to expand...
I think you misunderstood my concern. I have 0 issue with deployment into a combat zone. Maybe I should have been more clear -- I was more concerned with the amount of time. I have seen everything from 2 months to 15 months; just trying to get a gauge for what's the most common.





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VolDental said:
I think you misunderstood my concern. I have 0 issue with deployment into a combat zone. Maybe I should have been more clear -- I was more concerned with the amount of time. I have seen everything from 2 months to 15 months; just trying to get a gauge for what's the most common.





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Click to expand...

I'm not Army but that uncertainty is part of the sacrifice.
 
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VolDental said:
I think you misunderstood my concern. I have 0 issue with deployment into a combat zone. Maybe I should have been more clear -- I was more concerned with the amount of time. I have seen everything from 2 months to 15 months; just trying to get a gauge for what's the most common.

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Click to expand...


Most dentists deploy anywhere from 6 to 9 months.

If you are one of the few to get assigned to an infantry/"regular army" unit as a their brigade dentist than your deployment may be longer (perhaps 12 months).

All this, of course, is subject to change. Also, because of the current draw downs many dentists aren't deploying at all.
 
whono said:
I'm an enlisted active duty 68E, or dental specialist, about getting shipped to basic training. I joined through MAVNI program and have no academic background in dental area at all... Any advice on my first duty station "wish list" and Army career in dental corp?
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You can put down any place for your choices. The best place for one person may not be for another. I would recommend talking with as many people as possible and visiting the places as well.

However, the bottom line is going to be where there are openings.
 
How does specializing work if you are HPSP? Do you go through the process at the same time as your civilian counterparts or do you have to go to work for Uncle Sam prior to applying to residencies? I understand the army has their own speciality programs, just don't know when you can apply for them.


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If you are Army HPSP you will submit specialty applications Oct/Nov of your senior year. The specialty selection board will meet and select residents in December. They are selecting for a start date 18 months in advance, so if selected you will "snow bird" i.e. be a general dentist for a year, at the location where your residency will take place. In January/February they will inform you where you are doing your residency at if there are multiple locations.

You do not have the option of applying to civilian programs in the Army.
 
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krmower said:
If you are Army HPSP you will submit specialty applications Oct/Nov of your senior year. The specialty selection board will meet and select residents in December. They are selecting for a start date 18 months in advance, so if selected you will "snow bird" i.e. be a general dentist for a year, at the location where your residency will take place. In January/February they will inform you where you are doing your residency at if there are multiple locations.

You do not have the option of applying to civilian programs in the Army.
Click to expand...

Is the time you serve during residency count as the time you're serving back for the scholarship you received?

And what do you mean that you don't have the option of applying to civilian programs? Sorry not familiar with this stuff.. :/


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krmower said:
If you are Army HPSP you will submit specialty applications Oct/Nov of your senior year. The specialty selection board will meet and select residents in December. They are selecting for a start date 18 months in advance, so if selected you will "snow bird" i.e. be a general dentist for a year, at the location where your residency will take place. In January/February they will inform you where you are doing your residency at if there are multiple locations.

You do not have the option of applying to civilian programs in the Army.
Click to expand...
Oh I wish they would let me snowbird at or near my future training base (east coast), but it looks like I'm stuck in my current dumpy-in-the-middle-of nowhere base for another life wasting year. Something about not wanting to cost UNCLE SAM too much money. Yeah and this is the first year that they finally realized it was stupid to send 63As to a 1 year AEGD followed by a PCS to a residency immediately...and they say they're worried about money and overstaffing a location (while my commander is informing us that he has too many 63As and wishes he could get rid of a few). Meanwhile they encourage me to waste 9 weeks of production to go to Captain's Career Course - when there is <1% chance that I'm doing career. Ahh, another story of the right hand not talking to the left hand in the army.

And if I could rant further, I was told by a full bird (of 25 years) with no deployment patch that I should 'deploy for a year to get it out of the way' before residency. Doesn't this ignore the fact that I will go onto a different OML for deployment when I'm a specialist, thus making a volunteer deployment a complete waste? (it's a waste because I would rather be preparing for my 4 years of hell.)
 
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agent2362 said:
Meanwhile there encourage me to waste 9 weeks of production to go to Captain's Career Course - when there is <1% chance that I'm doing career. Ahh, another story of the right hand not talking to the left hand in the army.
Click to expand...

Don't know what leadership positions you've held in your career but at least for us, we never (at least shouldn't) treat anyone like they're leaving until they physically drop their RAD paperwork. Until then, good leaders will continue to push their personnel to hit the career milestones they need to progress. Situations change and things that you swear will never happen become reality. I suspect the culture in the Army is the same.
 
agent2362 said:
Oh I wish they would let me snowbird at or near my future training base (east coast), but it looks like I'm stuck in my current dumpy-in-the-middle-of nowhere base for another life wasting year. Something about not wanting to cost UNCLE SAM too much money. Yeah and this is the first year that they finally realized it was stupid to send 63As to a 1 year AEGD followed by a PCS to a residency immediately...and they say they're worried about money and overstaffing a location (while my commander is informing us that he has too many 63As and wishes he could get rid of a few). Meanwhile they encourage me to waste 9 weeks of production to go to Captain's Career Course - when there is <1% chance that I'm doing career. Ahh, another story of the right hand not talking to the left hand in the army.

And if I could rant further, I was told by a full bird (of 25 years) with no deployment patch that I should 'deploy for a year to get it out of the way' before residency. Doesn't this ignore the fact that I will go onto a different OML for deployment when I'm a specialist, thus making a volunteer deployment a complete waste? (it's a waste because I would rather be preparing for my 4 years of hell.)
Click to expand...

Based on what you said...it looks like you are a 63A in your first year or in a 1 year AEGD. It also looks like you applied to OS and was accepted. You are wrong about some things. The reason for not allowing new grads to accept both a specialty and AEGD slot is because #1 more brigade slots need to be filled by AEGD grads and #2 issues with residents not completing the entire 12mo. If you are doing OS, then you owe the Army at least 7-8 years. That means you will have to do CCC eventually. Also, you are on the OML for deployment based on your year group, not your specialty. Everyone can be picked to deployed as a 63A, even if you are a specialist.
 
Destiny11 said:
Based on what you said...it looks like you are a 63A in your first year or in a 1 year AEGD. It also looks like you applied to OS and was accepted. You are wrong about some things. The reason for not allowing new grads to accept both a specialty and AEGD slot is because #1 more brigade slots need to be filled by AEGD grads and #2 issues with residents not completing the entire 12mo. If you are doing OS, then you owe the Army at least 7-8 years. That means you will have to do CCC eventually. Also, you are on the OML for deployment based on your year group, not your specialty. Everyone can be picked to deployed as a 63A, even if you are a specialist.
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I wish I could say that I was in my first year of service, but it's been a few more than that. I'm definitely not new to this gig. CCC is necessary if you want to promote to LTC (being promoted to a MAJ is a given unless you have done something fairly stupid and likely repeatedly). You most likely will go to the LTC promotion board at year 11 for consideration. If you are getting out at year 11 or 12, then it won't ever effect your pay. About half of the MAJ I have encountered haven't even done CCC. BTW the time you will be in the army after being chosen to an OMS residency is 9.5 years (chosen 1.5 yrs before starting + 4 yrs residency + 4 years payback). I understand what you are saying about the brigade dentists, but I think it was more of an issue of two separate boards not communicating properly for the AEGD acceptance and residency acceptance. Even if all those AEGD residents (that were also picked for a residency) could complete the full 12 months, who cares. It's essentially a wasted AEGD spot that should be given to someone else who is going to practice general dentistry. My point about deployment is also pertinent to the history of OMS residency success in the past. Many, many, many residents have failed out of OMS residencies in the army--given this history, wouldn't it be a wiser use of resources to allow someone to prepare for OMS residency than deploy them 9 months right before residency? I am all for the wisest use of resources. After all they will have 4 years as a 63N to deploy. BTW...I am not actually in too much danger of deploying by the OML (probably 5-6 on the OML....well once all the babies get off 'profile' for all their sore knees and shoulders), but I have been asked a couple of times to consider volunteering and I just have to laugh at the logic. I'm in for the long haul and I will likely deploy as a 63N. Deploying is actually freaking fantastic for retirement since you can unload 50K+ into a Roth IRA every year you deploy.
 
agent2362 said:
I wish I could say that I was in my first year of service, but it's been a few more than that. I'm definitely not new to this gig. CCC is necessary if you want to promote to LTC (being promoted to a MAJ is a given unless you have done something fairly stupid and likely repeatedly). You most likely will go to the LTC promotion board at year 11 for consideration. If you are getting out at year 11 or 12, then it won't ever effect your pay. About half of the MAJ I have encountered haven't even done CCC. BTW the time you will be in the army after being chosen to an OMS residency is 9.5 years (chosen 1.5 yrs before starting + 4 yrs residency + 4 years payback). I understand what you are saying about the brigade dentists, but I think it was more of an issue of two separate boards not communicating properly for the AEGD acceptance and residency acceptance. Even if all those AEGD residents (that were also picked for a residency) could complete the full 12 months, who cares. It's essentially a wasted AEGD spot that should be given to someone else who is going to practice general dentistry. My point about deployment is also pertinent to the history of OMS residency success in the past. Many, many, many residents have failed out of OMS residencies in the army--given this history, wouldn't it be a wiser use of resources to allow someone to prepare for OMS residency than deploy them 9 months right before residency? I am all for the wisest use of resources. After all they will have 4 years as a 63N to deploy. BTW...I am not actually in too much danger of deploying by the OML (probably 5-6 on the OML....well once all the babies get off 'profile' for all their sore knees and shoulders), but I have been asked a couple of times to consider volunteering and I just have to laugh at the logic. I'm in for the long haul and I will likely deploy as a 63N. Deploying is actually freaking fantastic for retirement since you can unload 50K+ into a Roth IRA every year you deploy.
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OK, so you got into both the 1 yr AEGD and OMS residency (did I get that right? I have a hard time reading through some of your whining/"I know better" attitude - you better get thick skin, OMS residencies are intense). So you have to pick one - and whichever one you don't go to will have someone on the "alternate" list take that spot...
 
If you're an Army dentist and have a civilian girlfriend/fiance/wife that's also a dentist, is it possible for her to work for the Army as a dentist? Does it differ if she's your wife VS girlfriend/fiance? If not, would it be difficult for her to get a dental job outside the Army with how frequently soldiers have to move?

Also, how frequently do we move? Is it every 1, 2, or 3 years (depending on where stationed/programs you're involved with)?
 
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NMC2010 said:
If you're an Army dentist and have a civilian girlfriend/fiance/wife that's also a dentist, is it possible for her to work for the Army as a dentist? Does it differ if she's your wife VS girlfriend/fiance? If not, would it be difficult for her to get a dental job outside the Army with how frequently soldiers have to move?

Also, how frequently do we move? Is it every 1, 2, or 3 years (depending on where stationed/programs you're involved with)?
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Usually we move every 3 years - exceptions include when done with training (such as an 1 year AEGD or 4yr OMS residency);

The chances of your significant other getting a civilian (dentist) job inside a military installation depends on the needs of that particular location - check on usajobs.gov for any listings, I would also ask your future Commander whenever you got meet him/her during your in-processing; If there's a spot open, her odds of getting that job increase significantly if you were married to her - military spouses are given higher priority for on-post hiring
 
gatorfan99 said:
you better get thick skin, OMS residencies are intense...
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touché, brother. I'm not one to complain ever at my clinic, thus SDN becomes my place to b!tch about the politics and crap that happens in the military. Sorry if I was unclear, I'm actually in my 3rd year of active duty as a 63A here in the great country of Texas.
 
omutk said:
Is the time you serve during residency count as the time you're serving back for the scholarship you received?

And what do you mean that you don't have the option of applying to civilian programs? Sorry not familiar with this stuff.. :/


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Click to expand...
The time you serve in a residency does not count towards your HPSP payback - it is neutral.

If you are in the Army you will not be able to apply to a civilian (fill in the blank for the specialty you like) program and ask the Army to either pay for it or defer you coming on active duty to train. Once you graduate from dental school, you will come immediately on active duty by the end of the summer and if you want to specialize, it will be through a military program.
 
krmower said:
If you are Army HPSP you will submit specialty applications Oct/Nov of your senior year. The specialty selection board will meet and select residents in December. They are selecting for a start date 18 months in advance, so if selected you will "snow bird" i.e. be a general dentist for a year, at the location where your residency will take place. In January/February they will inform you where you are doing your residency at if there are multiple locations.

You do not have the option of applying to civilian programs in the Army.
Click to expand...

Could you submit specialty applications in junior year so you can start doing residency right after dental school? I think thats how the Navy works if I am not mistaken.
 
How long does it take to pin on O-4 in the military? Is it after 5 or 6 years of service? What about O-5?
 
Hello,

I am enlisting as MAVNI E4 and can I get HSPS Scholarship?
 
For 4 year HPSP, I know that you pay back by serving 4 years in the active duty and 4 years in the reserve.
Can someone talk more about the 4 years as an army reserve dentist?
What kind of responsibilities and duties do you have?
During this time as a reserve, can you live anywhere you desire to?
Can you open up your own practice? Can you start a civilian specialty program as an army reserve?
Do you get paid from the army?

Thank you for your help.
 
amphibian3chambers said:
For 4 year HPSP, I know that you pay back by serving 4 years in the active duty and 4 years in the reserve.
Can someone talk more about the 4 years as an army reserve dentist?
What kind of responsibilities and duties do you have?
During this time as a reserve, can you live anywhere you desire to?
Can you open up your own practice? Can you start a civilian specialty program as an army reserve?
Do you get paid from the army?

Thank you for your help.
Click to expand...

Hello,

This is served in an IRR or Individual Ready Reserve status. Basically, you do nothing for 4 years. You COULD be called back onto Active Duty, but the chances of that are slim to none. You don't get paid or any benefits. You are a civilian for all intents and purposes, except on the very bottom line in fine print, you are in IRR.
 
Hello sir,
Can reservists in USAR apply for a comprehensive dentistry program (63B)?
I am getting conflicting info. I though one had to be AD to apply to these programs.
I am a GD in USAR.
Any thoughts?
 
skabbaraju said:
Hello sir,
Can reservists in USAR apply for a comprehensive dentistry program (63B)?
I am getting conflicting info. I though one had to be AD to apply to these programs.
I am a GD in USAR.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Sravan,
At this time, only active duty dentists may apply for the comprehensive dentistry program. If you have additional questions, please PM me. We can track down the sources of misinformation.
-Dr. Cotton
 
Can someone help me out with a an issue I'm having? I commissioned last month won't be able to get my CAC at DEERS for another 4 weeks. I have a sponsored AKO account but my recruiter told me that I need to download a smart book on MODS. It appears that I can't register on MODS unless I have the CAC. Does anyone know if there is an alternative way to register and where I can download the smart book?
Between now and when school starts again, what do I need to do? I have already submitted all the paperwork for direct deposit, but I want to make sure that my tuition is covered, book are reimbursed for, etc. I'm a bit lost as to what I need to do next. Thanks!
 
Is the military in general pretty lenient on letting one go onto residency programs? If your scores are amazing but they aren't 'in need' of a particular specialist, would they still not allow you to go onto the residency program?
 
spressomfs said:
Is the military in general pretty lenient on letting one go onto residency programs? If your scores are amazing but they aren't 'in need' of a particular specialist, would they still not allow you to go onto the residency program?
Click to expand...

There are a set number of people accepted to a specialty each year. Each person competes for the spots. Therefore, your scores and everything else will be a factor when being accepted. I am not sure what you mean about "in need" of a particular specialist, since there are a set number accepted each year.
 
AirborneDentist said:
There are a set number of people accepted to a specialty each year. Each person competes for the spots. Therefore, your scores and everything else will be a factor when being accepted. I am not sure what you mean about "in need" of a particular specialist, since there are a set number accepted each year.
Click to expand...

I thought I read somewhere that the military picks residency seats available based upon their particular need for that position in that given year. Thanks for the clarification!


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customx said:
Between now and when school starts again, what do I need to do? I have already submitted all the paperwork for direct deposit, but I want to make sure that my tuition is covered, book are reimbursed for, etc. I'm a bit lost as to what I need to do next. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Looks like you finally got off the OML after nearly two years. Congrats

Your financial aid office is the one that bills the army. You probably want to want to check with them first
Generally you dont need to do anything for tuition to be paid off as long as you're in the system.
 
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