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Read the previous posts.
When to apply - as soon as you decide you want to go the military route and have an acceptance letter in hand. Even if the branch of the military you desire to apply with doesn't have any scholarships available, your package can go to the selection board and once OCT 1st rolls around, you can be granted a scholarship. That is how I got mine this past year. Once I determined I wanted the Navy HSCP scholarship, there were none available. So, once OCT 1st came around and the HSCP was available, I got the call stating I had the scholarship. A few days later I signed the paperwork.
The application can be submitted, but in order for the file to be sent to the board your file must be complete which includes having been accepted into a program. In my case, I was already attending school for almost 2 months before I sent in the application, so the letter was pretty much pointless then. Now, there are always circumstances where exceptions are made. I was supposed to have two interviews, but that never happened.
Before you decide to turn down an AEGD, ponder this...
How many ortho cases did you complete in dental school? I did eight start to finish in my AEGD.
How many endo retreats/apical surgeries? I did about 15.
How many IV sedation/3rd molar cases? I did 86 (only the AF credentials AEGD residents in IV sed).
How many connective tissue grafts? I did 8.
How many implants? I did 10.
How many CERAC restorations, open flap curettage with apically positioned flaps, frenectomies, tori removals, full anterior cosmetic cases, etc..?
How many TRULY medically compromised patients, head/neck cancer patients, pre-cardiac surgery clearance extractions, reduced fractures, major space infections, etc., etc. ?
On the retention bonus pay tables, some of the lower listings, ie, general dentist, there is (ACP - advanced clinical practice) in parentheses. Does anyone know what this means?
I would also like this confirmed...if we're forced to apply and then forced to accept, that extra year would be a bit of a turn-off for me as well. I'm a bit of an older applicant too (26). My recruiter told me that "they highly recommend doing that program," but I sensed a little hesitation as if he wasn't giving me the whole story.
Another Q...I heard that the AF is planning on implementing something soon where all 4 year applicants to the AF that didn't receive the scholarship will automatically be granted the 3-year. This means they wouldn't need to go through the application process again. Can anyone else confirm is this has been implemented or is still in the works?
I can tell you what my recruiter told me about the AEGD. "The AF requires it, thus making your payback 5 years". This was a turn off for me too, but I still might do it. On a positive note, he said an AEGD would give me the equivalent of 7 years experience in just one year.
Does that mean five years after the AEGD?
Five years after graduation, no student loans and tons of experience.
The answer is YES you have to apply for the AEGD-1 program. The follow-on is NO you don't have to accept it. You would be a fool not to. The AEGD-1 program will be the best educational year you have ever had. Hands down. I would do it again in a heart beat. You will do more in one year of an AEGD than you would if dental school lasted a decade. Even if you decide not to make the military a career (most don't), you will be more marketable than anyone heading out to private practice from dental school, ie. more marketable. Plus, what residency pays their AEGD's $65K/year.
Before you decide to turn down an AEGD, ponder this...
How many ortho cases did you complete in dental school? I did eight start to finish in my AEGD.
How many endo retreats/apical surgeries? I did about 15.
How many IV sedation/3rd molar cases? I did 86 (only the AF credentials AEGD residents in IV sed).
How many connective tissue grafts? I did 8.
How many implants? I did 10.
How many CERAC restorations, open flap curettage with apically positioned flaps, frenectomies, tori removals, full anterior cosmetic cases, etc..?
How many TRULY medically compromised patients, head/neck cancer patients, pre-cardiac surgery clearance extractions, reduced fractures, major space infections, etc., etc. ?
You get the point. Even if you decide you don't like the endo, perio, ortho, etc. at least you will have clinical experience. This will only help the GP.
If you are thinking of specializing, you will know really quick if you truly want to apply. I thought I wanted to do pedo, now I'm starting OMS. Go figure.
If you do not do an AEGD-1 you will probably end up on an "amalgam line". You will to do all the full cuspal coverage amalgams you can handle, more exams than you have mirrors, and an occasional crown. The military "credentials" their dentists. This means you can only do what the credentialing board says you can do. Without the AEGD, its not much.
2. Your chances of getting into a specialty residency right out of dental school are pretty much non existent. I can only speak for the AF, but there were only a few who were accepted to a specialty out of school. You may be able to get into perio or pros, but other than that you have no chance. There is a chance to get into OMS, but you will have to spend one year as a general dentist at either Travis or Lackland. Why not spend that year in an AEGD.
I had a lot of friends doing AEGDs all over the country in the civilian world. with the exception of maybe Colorado's (IV and 3rds), no one even came close. The location of the AEGD is key. Ask the residency directors, not the recruiter, what their program offers. They will talk to you. They like that kind of stuff. Also, interview in person.
It may not be for everyone, but there are a whole lot of pluses.
Dear Snozberries or anyone who might know,
I'm a D4 student AF HPSP, scheduled to have an interview with an AEGD director in 2 wks.
How is the AF AEGD-2 differ from the AEGD-1 in terms of cases, program structure, etc?
There is only one base that offers the AEGD-2: that is, Lackland AFB. About how many residents do they accept?
I'm contemplating on applying for either an AEGD-1 or -2, but not totally sure of the latter. I do know that I would like to do at least an AEGD-1, however. In that case, which base would you recommend as the best/better AEGD-1 locations?
Please advise. Thank you so much in advance.
Toothfairy
you cannot submit an application without having an acceptance letter. that is part of the application package that gets sent to the board. The government, finacially, doesn't work off the normal calendar year. It's fiscal year runs from October 1st to the following September 30th. So, If you apply in JUL, AUG or SEP, the pickings may be slim or none as far as scholarships go. Once OCT rolls around, the new batch of scholarships become available.
Each branch is different when it comes to scholarship availability. Right now, the Air Force has the easiest time filling its scholarships, so the earlier in the fiscal year the better and they can be a little pickier at selection. The Navy varies from year to year, but they usually fill all their slots by the end of the fiscal year. The Army is hurting. They are undermanned and have the highest amount of scholarships available in which they are not all filled, so if you are in need of money, you can pretty much be guaranteed of getting one from them. I am NOT going to say whether I think going the Army route is a good idea or not because I have no experience there and that topic has its own thread which I would expect soemone to comment there instead of here if they want to bash the Army.
When to apply - as soon as you decide you want to go the military route and have an acceptance letter in hand. Even if the branch of the military you desire to apply with doesn't have any scholarships available, your package can go to the selection board and once OCT 1st rolls around, you can be granted a scholarship. That is how I got mine this past year. Once I determined I wanted the Navy HSCP scholarship, there were none available. So, once OCT 1st came around and the HSCP was available, I got the call stating I had the scholarship. A few days later I signed the paperwork.