CE in the Army

[DentalArmy]

I haven't seen any posts in the last several years regarding CE (at least in the title)
1. Does the Army have their own CE courses that you can take each year?
2. How is the quality of those courses if available?
3. How does it work when you take CE outside of the Army? Are you given any sort of reimbursement and/or charged leave?
4. How long does it take to get credentialed in procedures if not selected for an AEGD, and what procedures can you typically get credentialed for and actually do? I've heard it varies according to need, base, and commanding officer, but I'm just wondering in general what trends you've noticed.
Thanks.

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[gatorfan99]

1. Yes, the Army has the annual "short courses" put on at Ft Gordon which are really great. You can also attend the Navy CE courses as well - over 30 hrs of CE all free (you may have to pay for hotel, which, if you stay on post, are very reasonable).
2. Quality I would say equal if not superior to some of the best CE in the civilian side - they are not trying to sell you anything, these courses are designed to help you learn, plus all speakers are great
3. Your local leadership can let you go take CE courses without having those days counted as leave, sometimes you can get funded as well.
4. Credentialing comes from working closely with a specialist and showing competency - with that said, there's limits to what you can get credentialed for with just a bare-bones dental school diploma and CE (no cowboys allowed)

 

[DentalArmy]

1. Yes, the Army has the annual "short courses" put on at Ft Gordon which are really great. You can also attend the Navy CE courses as well - over 30 hrs of CE all free (you may have to pay for hotel, which, if you stay on post, are very reasonable).
2. Quality I would say equal if not superior to some of the best CE in the civilian side - they are not trying to sell you anything, these courses are designed to help you learn, plus all speakers are great
3. Your local leadership can let you go take CE courses without having those days counted as leave, sometimes you can get funded as well.
4. Credentialing comes from working closely with a specialist and showing competency - with that said, there's limits to what you can get credentialed for with just a bare-bones dental school diploma and CE (no cowboys allowed)

Thanks for the answers! Just a couple of follow up questions if you don't mind.
1. Is everyone allowed to attend the annual short courses and Navy courses each year?
2. How often are you typically allowed to work closely with a specialist to expand your skill set as a 63A?

 

[gatorfan99]

1. Navy/Army/AF courses are usually open (and free) to any military dentist - as long as you are allowed to go by your local leadership (i.e. they won't let you go at mass exam times, when too many docs are out on leave, etc)
2. Commanders will give you that opportunity, many will let you go do that 1-2x morning or afternoons/week- but this can vary on location and clinic.. so check with your local leadership

 

[krmower]

Where I am stationed the dentists are allowed to attend up to 10 days of CE each year on their own dime without having to take leave (military courses or civilian). Additionally efforts are made to send specialists and some general dentists to funded CE courses each year. Finally internal CE opportunities within the Command are made available at no expense and during the day to providers here. YMMV.

 

[DrillSGT]

I haven't been to an Army sponsored short-course for a couple of years because there hasn't been any central funding available. They will let you take P-TDY to go to those or other CE courses. This year I opted to do CE on my own since I'm paying for it myself and I haven't been really impressed with the short courses. I went to OMS in San Antonio and it was useless for a GP. They are mostly an avenue for the residents to show you the cases they do, like an advertisement for their program more than education for the GP. My .02

 

[vellnueve]

Navy courses are aimed at the GP. Highly recommend.

 

[InformMe123]

Can Army GPs take ortho ce and do ortho or is there a restriction?

 

[Lophodont]

Can Army GPs take ortho ce and do ortho or is there a restriction?

Every provider has credentials for certain aspects of dentistry, and GPs (63A) will not have ortho credentials. I don't think there's a rule against taking ortho CE, especially if you pay for it yourself, but no amount of this is likely to get you ortho privileges without a residency. If you happen to be at a clinic with an Army Orthodontist, they may supervise you on some cases if they have time.

 

[gatorfan99]

Can Army GPs take ortho ce and do ortho or is there a restriction?

Unlike in the civilian world, in the military world of dentistry just because you think you know how to do something doesn't mean you will be allowed to do that - there's a system in place to keep checks and balances on potentially sub-standard work.

 

[krmower]

OIC and/or Commander will determine what they allow providers to do.