Ask an Army Dentist

[customx]

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.

Thanks. I only applied this past year, but I'm still thankful to get off the OML. Do you know about books? I need to get on MODS so I can find all the forms I need, but without a CAC it seems like that won't be possible.

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[USArmyHPSP]

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!

Call the HPSP Office at 877-MED-ARMY - they can tell you exactly what to do.

 

[sree007]

Hello

I am foreign trained dentist looking to get into us army dental. Can i know procedure and steps to follow.

Thanks

 

[ktran17]

Hello

I am foreign trained dentist looking to get into us army dental. Can i know procedure and steps to follow.

Thanks

1. Acquire a US DDS/DMD through a qualifying advanced standing program. This will require additional 2-3 years of dental school. Please direct your attention to the international section for further questions on the process of getting accepted to these programs. They're very competitive.

2. Obtain US citizenship

3. Apply for direct accension through an AMEDD Army recruiting office.

 

[ejohnstn]

Im a 4th year dental student. If I joined now and did the HPSP how much of my loans would they pay off and how long would my contract be?

 

[ysrebob]

Im a 4th year dental student. If I joined now and did the HPSP how much of my loans would they pay off and how long would my contract be?

HPSP is a "scholarship" rather than a loan repayment program (pays tuition when billed but does not pay down loans from past years tuition); only makes sense if you sign on before or early on in D school.

The applicable route for you would be joining immediately after graduation as a licensed dentist - aka direct accession. There are loan repayment programs available if you do this, comparable to those offered by some community clinic positions; a recruiter could give exact figures. Maybe this has changed but last I heard Air Force was not bringing in any new general dentists by direct accession at this time; you should investigate Navy and Army as well to up your chances.

 

[krmower]

Im a 4th year dental student. If I joined now and did the HPSP how much of my loans would they pay off and how long would my contract be?

4 years of loan repayment offering $40k each year (taxed) for the Army

 

[ArmyDentistGal]

4 years of loan repayment offering $40k each year (taxed) for the Army

Good Morning! Currently the loan repayment is 3 years offering $40k each year (taxed) which is applied directly to your student loans. I recommend contacting your local medical recruiter (http://www.goarmy.com/amedd.html) or messaging me, and I will help lay out your options.

 

[AirborneDentist]

Good Morning! Currently the loan repayment is 3 years offering $40k each year (taxed) which is applied directly to your student loans. I recommend contacting your local medical recruiter (http://www.goarmy.com/amedd.html) or messaging me, and I will help lay out your options.

Did they change that from 4? It was my understanding that someone would max out at 4 years of any sort of education payments. For example, 2 years HPSP, they could still do 2 years loan repayment, as to not exceed 4 total.

 

[ArmyDentistGal]

Good afternoon Airborne Dentist! I'm not sure what was done in the past, but I can offer information on what is available right now to the people checking out this post. The Army is only offering 3-yr and 4-yr HPSP scholarships (no 2-yr HPSP is available.) For those dentists/dental students who are interested in serving our country in active duty (full-time) as an Army dentist but did not receive the HPSP, you can apply for a direct commission. The financial incentives for these positions are the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) and the Health Professions Bonus Program (HBP). The HPLRP is $40k/yr with a max of 3 years going directly to the student-loan lender (taxed). The HBP is $75k (taxed) for a 4-yr obligation; money goes directly to you. Both of these are in addition to your Army Dentist salary. Once your initial active duty service obligation is complete (from HPSP, HBP, HPLRP,) you will likely qualify for the Health Professions Officer Retention Bonus. HPLRP is not being given in conjunction with HPSP and is also not being used as a retention tool after the initial service obligation is up. The direct accession positions are highly competitive and timing is key to applying. Dental students can apply as early as their senior year and should start seeking out a medical recruiter as soon as possible to discuss options. Or message me!

 

[DynamicDental]

Hi there,
Are their any army dentists out there that have experience balancing family life on active duty, and how has it been for you? I understand deployments are a part of the military and both me and my wife have discussed the possibility and the likeliness of that happening. I am just trying to have an understanding of how families are still able to stay in contact during deployments and how life is when you are not on deployment.
Thank you very much

 

[AirborneDentist]

Hi there,
Are their any army dentists out there that have experience balancing family life on active duty, and how has it been for you? I understand deployments are a part of the military and both me and my wife have discussed the possibility and the likeliness of that happening. I am just trying to have an understanding of how families are still able to stay in contact during deployments and how life is when you are not on deployment.
Thank you very much

You still have availability of phones and most of the time Internet...so you can Skype. This is most of the time.

 

[dentisthooah]

Hi there,
Are their any army dentists out there that have experience balancing family life on active duty, and how has it been for you? I understand deployments are a part of the military and both me and my wife have discussed the possibility and the likeliness of that happening. I am just trying to have an understanding of how families are still able to stay in contact during deployments and how life is when you are not on deployment.
Thank you very much

Don't post much here but figured I'd chime in. I've been on active duty for about two and a half years, and I'm currently 3.5months into a 9month deployment (but who's counting...). I have a wife and three kids back home and it sucks not being there for them. But it's part of the army. In dental school I always thought I would fly under the radar and avoid this, but I worked in a clinic for two years meeting many soldiers who have been on 4+ deployments to much worse locations with much more dangerous jobs. They also have families and generally get paid a lot less. So my idealistic side got the best of me and I decided to volunteer for this....

Family time on active duty varies but, in general, it's been great aside from the deployment. Lots of 3/4 day weekends plus you accrue 2.5days of leave per month. Without going into too many details, you can be assigned to different units in the army which may require more "army" stuff like field training, etc where you may have to go live in a tent for a couple weeks here and there. But mostly you will have normal work hours 0730-1600ish.

Deployments vary. Where I am located is fairly built up and resembles more of a normal base environment. I have access to internet that is adequate for FaceTime. Tricky part is being 8hrs ahead of them, so I often stay up really late to talk to my daughter after school, then get up early to talk to my wife before she goes to bed. I have a friend who is deployed (not a dentist) and he does not have good internet, so he and his wife pay a lot of money for the international calls. So far I've missed first birthday, first steps, and a first day of school so its been tough. But I think i'll be glad I did it. I think

hope that helps

 

[Scorpion1993]

Hello! I have a question about deployments? If I choose to do a residency, can I get called up for deployment in the middle of my residency or is it more like dental school where you finish your studies and then get called up?

also how likely is it to get deployed?

 

[LFA20]

Hello! I have a question about deployments? If I choose to do a residency, can I get called up for deployment in the middle of my residency or is it more like dental school where you finish your studies and then get called up?

also how likely is it to get deployed?

can't get deployed while in residency.

 

[DentalArmy]

I posted these questions in another thread, but no one answered.
1. Are there any benefits to getting perfect or near perfect score in the PFT?
2. Do people who finish BOLC before graduation, and aren't selected for an AEGD, have better luck in getting a location higher on their list compared to other entering 03's?
3. I've seen people in this thread, a long time ago, recommend to contact HRC about a year before you enter to get an idea of what's open and to let them know your name for when selection comes. Is this still recommended?
4. Is it possible to start as early as late April if BOLC was completed before graduation?

 

[DentalArmy]

We are scheduled to graduate mid-April, and I would like to report ASAP after graduating since I have 3 kids and little money. Is it possible to report as early as late April or May 1st?
--- I did BOLC before school and HRC basically asked me the exact date I wanted to show up. I game myself a month off after graduation and then reported to my AEGD location a month earlier than everyone at BOLC.
Does that mean that those who have done BOLC, and aren't chosen for an AEGD slot, can have more sway in their location compared to other HPSPers who haven't completed it?
--- I'd be surprised if it made a difference. The Army doesn't really care if you can start AD earlier or not.
Does being a stud in the PFT at BOLC have any benefit?
--- No tangible benefit other than a day or two of extra leave.

I guess there was a response about the same time I posted the questions above. If anyone could still answer #3, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AirborneDentist]

I guess there was a response about the same time I posted the questions above. If anyone could still answer #3, it would be greatly appreciated.

If you are coming from dental school, it won't make much of a difference. However, it doesn't hurt anything.

 

[InformMe123]

Two quick questions:
1. Can you get stationed OCONUS without undergoing AEGD residency?
2. How possible would it be to get stationed at the same base more than once if you stay long-term (especially if you liked that base)?

 

[Tirekicker]

Two quick questions:
1. Can you get stationed OCONUS without undergoing AEGD residency?
2. How possible would it be to get stationed at the same base more than once if you stay long-term (especially if you liked that base)?

I just started at my first assignment, here in Alaska. I was a direct commission, who didn't do the AEGD.
1. Yes, you can be stationed OCONUS without doing an AEGD.
2. I think it is possible to be assigned to the same post more than once if you stick around long-term. It helps if it is a large post (e.g. Ft. Bragg), or a location that not many people volunteer for.

 

[tryingmybest123]

After dental school, is there a a ortho residency?
If not, is it possible to do a civilian residency after I pay back 4 years for the HPSP scholarship?

 

[barley111]

Is it beneficial/worthwhile/common to do externships/away rotations at an army base during dental school? For example, if I wanted to get into the endo residency at Ft. Bragg, should/can I do an externship there during my 3rd or 4th year? Would it help my odds of getting into the residency assuming I do fine at the externship?

 

[lb ruski]

On that note, does someone have to complete BOLC before they are eligible for an externship at an army base/hospital?

 

[USArmyHPSP]

All Army ADTs are coordinated through Ms. O'Neal the following can be found on MODS under the FAQ for ADT:

In order to make the initial request for ADT, effective immediately, you must now contact the Dental Corps ADT Coordinator, Roxanne O'Neal, through the website listed below.

[email protected]

 

[AirborneDentist]

On that note, does someone have to complete BOLC before they are eligible for an externship at an army base/hospital?

Nope, not during the 45 day ADT.

 

[umdnj101]

Is it beneficial/worthwhile/common to do externships/away rotations at an army base during dental school? For example, if I wanted to get into the endo residency at Ft. Bragg, should/can I do an externship there during my 3rd or 4th year? Would it help my odds of getting into the residency assuming I do fine at the externship?

Anything army related helps your chances of getting into a residency. The army speciality selection process has to do more with your maturity, leadership skills and willingness to stay in the service long term.

 

[umdnj101]

I posted these questions in another thread, but no one answered.
1. Are there any benefits to getting perfect or near perfect score in the PFT?
2. Do people who finish BOLC before graduation, and aren't selected for an AEGD, have better luck in getting a location higher on their list compared to other entering 03's?
3. I've seen people in this thread, a long time ago, recommend to contact HRC about a year before you enter to get an idea of what's open and to let them know your name for when selection comes. Is this still recommended?
4. Is it possible to start as early as late April if BOLC was completed before graduation?

It's wise to contact hrc and give a compelling reason why you need to be stationed at fort "X". Hpsp new grads usually get the all the left over slots. The docs 3-4 years your senior will have their first picks on what's available during pcs time ~July. Sometimes there are no openings at the base you want to go too. For example this summer there are no slots at fort X but there could be five openings the following summer. Good luck on your perferences but be smart on your selections. You might want to consider opting for an assignment at a smaller base . I would not preference any of the large bases (amalgam line) or ones with basic training (exams all day)

 

[AirborneDentist]

It's wise to contact hrc and give a compelling reason why you need to be stationed at fort "X". Hpsp new grads usually get the all the left over slots. The docs 3-4 years your senior will have their first picks on what's available during pcs time ~July. Sometimes there are no openings at the base you want to go too. For example this summer there are no slots at fort X but there could be five openings the following summer. Good luck on your perferences but be smart on your selections. You might want to consider opting for an assignment at a smaller base . I would not preference any of the large bases (amalgam line) or ones with basic training (exams all day)

Not true.

HRC tries to mix new grads and people with experience at each location, so you don't have all experienced providers in one place and non-experienced providers in another. In the bigger installations, you will see more new grads, just because of the amount of dentists there.

A smaller installation may allow you to do more complex procedures. However, you may not have the mentorship of the larger installations. For example, we do not have an oral surgeon at Fort Huachuca, the closest one is 4 hrs away at Ft. Bliss. We do have a comprehensive dentist doing all the surgery.

There are brand new grads that go to Hawaii, Lewis, Carson, etc.

Don't game the system, as there isn't a game to be played. Put your top preferences and then just wait.

 

[NMC2010]

If these have been answered elsewhere, please send me the link(s). Thank you!

- Is it possible to apply to both the 1 year and 2 year AEGD programs through the Army?
- What locations are available for the 1 year? 2 year?
- Do you minimize your chances of being accepted to the one or the other if you apply for both?
- What advantages does the 2 year offer over the 1 year?
- Is one of them more difficult to get accepted into than the other?
- Do all soldiers on HPSP have to apply?
- Can you re-apply if you aren't initially accepted?
- Who is considered a competitive applicant?
- What are ways to make yourself more competitive for either?
- What can one expect to learn in an AEGD?
- Is there any way to get your foot in the door early?
- What's the best way to get more info?

 

[OSU12345]

Posted this in the general military dentistry thread but I figured I'd post it here as well. Just wondering if anyone had any info on the time between finishing BOLC and reporting to your first duty station. Is this decided for you or do you have any say in it. The reason I ask is because my fiancee and I are trying to plan a wedding for 2018 and were wondering if there would be any time between BOLC and reporting. Could I request to report at a later date so we would have time for the wedding. If not what are the chances of taking leave for a wedding soon after reporting. Don't want to plan something for August only to find out it won't work. Any insight would be much appreciated.

 

[allusmels]

If these have been answered elsewhere, please send me the link(s). Thank you!

1. Is it possible to apply to both the 1 year and 2 year AEGD programs through the Army?
2. What locations are available for the 1 year? 2 year?
3. Do you minimize your chances of being accepted to the one or the other if you apply for both?
4. What advantages does the 2 year offer over the 1 year?
5. Is one of them more difficult to get accepted into than the other?
6. Do all soldiers on HPSP have to apply?
7. Can you re-apply if you aren't initially accepted?
8. Who is considered a competitive applicant?
9. What are ways to make yourself more competitive for either?
10. What can one expect to learn in an AEGD?
11. Is there any way to get your foot in the door early?
12. What's the best way to get more info?

1. Yes. You're required to apply to the one year, and for the most part, only allowed to apply to one specialty in addition to that. The two year is the "Bravo" program and considered a specialty in the Army. You may also apply to the 2 year after your 1 year, or after you have worked as a general dentist.
2. 1 year and other residency locations : Try this link
3. no
4. money, more training, greater credentialling, preferable to have a speciality to eventually promote, research/masters, board cert
5. yes, see past acceptance rates
6. yes, to the 1 year
7. To the 1 year? no. others, yes.
8. Depends on applicant pool
9. resume, scores, gpa, military background/OERs, recommendations, demonstration of army values like leadership
10. lots. Recent Credentials from 1 Year
11. Foot in the door early for what? the 1 year? you can visit the programs, but most 1 year directors don't sit on the board to make acceptance decisions. ADT where you'd like to go or with specialists of programs you wish to apply. Network.
12. Contact someone in it. In theory your recruiter should be able to connect you, but not all recruiters are good at their job. If nothing more, do your research and start calling people in programs or who were in programs you wish to attend.

 

[2LTCL91]

I am currently a second year dental student on HPSP scholarship. My significant other is an anesthesiologist and just got a job in Oregon. Does the Army take into consideration the location of your spouse and try and station you as close as possible? Are there any bases in Oregon or close to it that I could possibly request or shadow at to increase my odds of being stationed there?

Thank you in advance

 

[InformMe123]

I am interested in getting placed in Japan, how many Army dentists are working in Japan?

 

[Helpful Troll]

I am currently a second year dental student on HPSP scholarship. My significant other is an anesthesiologist and just got a job in Oregon. Does the Army take into consideration the location of your spouse and try and station you as close as possible? Are there any bases in Oregon or close to it that I could possibly request or shadow at to increase my odds of being stationed there?

Thank you in advance

I doubt there are any Active Duty Army dentists in Oregon. Umatilla is the only Army base in Oregon, if it's even still open. It's unlikely they had any dentists assigned even when the base was in full use as a chemical storage depot. The closest Army base is JBLM (Joint Base Lewis McChord) aka Ft Lewis.

The Army will not, to any significant degree, take into consideration the location of your spouse unless your spouse is also in the military. Your best bet is to try to get an assignment near a major metropolitan area so your spouse can co-locate. The Army is difficult for soldiers with professionally educated spouses.

Here is a list of Army Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF) though some of the links from the attachment are broken. http://evans.amedd.army.mil/newcomer/milhosp2.htm

 

[krmower]

Posted this in the general military dentistry thread but I figured I'd post it here as well. Just wondering if anyone had any info on the time between finishing BOLC and reporting to your first duty station. Is this decided for you or do you have any say in it. The reason I ask is because my fiancee and I are trying to plan a wedding for 2018 and were wondering if there would be any time between BOLC and reporting. Could I request to report at a later date so we would have time for the wedding. If not what are the chances of taking leave for a wedding soon after reporting. Don't want to plan something for August only to find out it won't work. Any insight would be much appreciated.

When you are given your orders in the February/March time frame of you senior year it will have a report date of when you have to show up to your first duty station. This will typically be soon after BOLC. Unfortunately once you come on active duty to do BOLC, you can only take leave if you have earned it - you can take unpaid time off like in the civilian world. Coming out of the summer training you will only have accrued about 5 days of leave and other than the amount of time required to be given to move (varies by how far you are going) - you are not likely going to find much time to do it between the 2. Your best bet is to either plan it for before BOLC or for the early fall once you are in place. Before BOLC you are not restricted on the amount of time you take for your honeymoon, after BOLC you will be limited by the leave you have accrued up to that point.

 

[krmower]

I am currently a second year dental student on HPSP scholarship. My significant other is an anesthesiologist and just got a job in Oregon. Does the Army take into consideration the location of your spouse and try and station you as close as possible? Are there any bases in Oregon or close to it that I could possibly request or shadow at to increase my odds of being stationed there?

Thank you in advance

Unless your spouse is in the military it is something they will see if they can accommodate, but they are under no obligation to do so and I know several people that are geographic bachelors/bachelorettes. Other things that will affect things is if you apply for a 1 yr AEGD. If you do that you will most likely move someplace else immediately after graduation. Ft. Lewis does have an AEGD - but you would likely only be there a year if you do that.

The closest base to Oregon would be Joint Base Lewis Macord in Washington state. Although it is a big base, it is a very popular one and many people request it - YMMV. Your other option would be Ft. Irwin, Ca (near Barstow). Although it is out in the desert, it is popular with people from California due to the proximity they will have to family - again YMMV

 

[krmower]

I am interested in getting placed in Japan, how many Army dentists are working in Japan?

Not many, and of those likely only 1 or 2 may be leaving this summer. You are not likely going to get there initially coming out of school.

 

[slee8]

Hello, my Army recruiter just informed me that starting this year, the Army will not be giving out 3-year scholarships. Can anyone verify if this is true?

 

[ArmyDentistGal]

Hello, my Army recruiter just informed me that starting this year, the Army will not be giving out 3-year scholarships. Can anyone verify if this is true?

The Army Medical Recruiting Brigade's fiscal year runs from Oct-Sept. It is too early to tell how many scholarships will be available in FY2018. The past 2 years, there have only been 15 3-yr scholarships. The past procedure was to allow anyone who was on the Order of Merit List (people who did not get selected for the 4-yr HPSP but who are still competitive) to be considered for the 3-yr HPSP. It is up to the Commander's discretion to allow additional students to apply for the 3-yr HPSP. Again, in the past, this has been the case for those who missed the application window or who learned about HPSP too late. But, the Medical Recruiting Brigade has been selective about who gets to apply for the 3-yr. For anyone reading this, do all you can to get your application in for the 4-yr HPSP.

 

[TheSandlapper]

Has there been any news regarding the timeline for scrolling? I recently heard from my recruiter that there was a problem with some of the paperwork that held things up, does this sound right? Also, is it still possible for people just receiving the scholarship to go to Bolc before school starts?

 

[USArmyHPSP]

Haven't heard of any stand out problems with the scroll. Please remember, that this is the very busiest time of the year for the scroll process. Everyone who is coming in to HPSP, ~425-450 per Service, as well as that same amount coming out of HPSP for each and needing to be scrolled for active duty. On top of that a new Sec Def... and things can get slowed a little.

Yes, when you pre-enroll on MODS you are welcome to request BOLC prior to the start of dental school.

 

[InformMe123]

When does ADT start? I noticed on MODs it said it is scheduled from mid-August to end of Septemeber but would that apply for new HPSP selectees this year? or does ADT start the following year? What about the case if you delay BOLC until after graduation?

 

[go_dental882]

Hello,
I'm a 4th year graduating HPSP dental student attending BOLC this summer. As I'm reading BOLC preparation blogs, it keep mentioning registering or pre-enrolling for BOLC. Does one formally register for BOLC and if so, how? I have not received any instructions on how to do this, unless that comes with assignment orders, which should be arriving in the next couple of weeks.

Any guidance on this would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[USArmyHPSP]

When does ADT start? I noticed on MODs it said it is scheduled from mid-August to end of Septemeber but would that apply for new HPSP selectees this year? or does ADT start the following year? What about the case if you delay BOLC until after graduation?

If your scholarship benefits started last summer, you will do ADT this Aug-Sep. If your benefits start this year, your first ADT will be in 2018.

 

[USArmyHPSP]

Hello,
I'm a 4th year graduating HPSP dental student attending BOLC this summer. As I'm reading BOLC preparation blogs, it keep mentioning registering or pre-enrolling for BOLC. Does one formally register for BOLC and if so, how? I have not received any instructions on how to do this, unless that comes with assignment orders, which should be arriving in the next couple of weeks.

Any guidance on this would be appreciated. Thank you!

The Dental Corps assignment manager makes all the arrangements for graduating dentists who have not yet attended BOLC to do so. This is all behind the scenes for you and you don't have to do anything. If you want contact info for the assignments manager, please contact the HPSP office at 877-MED-ARMY.

 

[Manzielin]

Im debating HPSP. I definitely want to specialize, orthodontics if I have the stats. Do you think HPSP would give me an advantage at becoming an orthodontist? Could I apply to army residencies and "normal" residencies when that time comes around?

 

[krmower]

HPSP will not give you a benefit. If you join the Army you will only be able to apply to their programs while you are in. They currently have 3 slots a year - 2 in the military and 1 at a civilian program. You are not allowed to apply for any other program.

 

[go_dental882]

Got the unofficial orders for my first PCS station and BOLC June-July on April 3. Still waiting on the official orders to sign up for next steps (moving on base, moving assistance). Any ideas on when the official orders will be sent out?

Thank you!

 

[Badgers2]

I realize this question is somewhat duty station dependent, but I'm going to ask it anyways. As an Army dentist, do you have the ability to volunteer as a dentist in low-income clinics (assuming one is near you) in your free time? More generally, are you available to do community outreach type things? Do you have the free time to do those sorts of things? Any personal experiences would be very helpful!

 

[krmower]

I realize this question is somewhat duty station dependent, but I'm going to ask it anyways. As an Army dentist, do you have the ability to volunteer as a dentist in low-income clinics (assuming one is near you) in your free time? More generally, are you available to do community outreach type things? Do you have the free time to do those sorts of things? Any personal experiences would be very helpful!

You work a regular schedule (7-5). MEDCOM limits the amount of time you can do off duty employment (ODE). You can volunteer/work in low-income clinics as long as you follow the same guidelines that the ODE policy allows which is 16 hrs/week max. In addition either yourself or your employer/organization would have to provide you with malpractice insurance. Additionally you will need to pay for a regular DEA license on your own (military one is not used off base) and you will need to be licensed in the state where you will be working/volunteering.