ARMY RESERVE DENTISTRY
ALREADY KNOW ABOUT ARMY DENTISTRY, AND READY TO GET STARTED?
Contact Your Army Healthcare Recruiting Officer Today:
Captain Michael Rakow at 877-655-6520
or michael.rakow@usarec.army.mil
THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.
You’re one of a rare breed. Motivated. Committed to
serving others. You seek to broaden your professional
horizons. Perhaps it’s by learning a new procedure,
treating a more diverse patient base, or networking with
colleagues from other parts of the country. Whatever your
personal goals, if you have the desire to go beyond the
boundaries of your civilian practice, earn a second income
and serve your country, then the Army Dental Corps could
be just the right choice. You can train part time, ready to
serve when needed.
YOUR ROUTINE IS ANY THING BUT ROUTINE .
As a member of the Army Reserve Health Care Team,
you’ll have an opportunity to travel to places and perform
tasks you may never get to do in your civilian practice,
which is certain to be enriching, both personally and
professionally, but your biggest source of satisfaction
will come from the treatment you provide your Soldier
patients.
BROADEN YOUR PROFESIONAL HORIZONS .
Picture yourself in a country like Panama or Honduras,
where you might be called upon to provide dental care
to underprivileged children and adults as part of a
humanitarian mission. As part of the Army Health Care
Team, you could travel to Army installations throughout
the United States to examine Soldiers during field
exercises. You may have the opportunity to attend
professional conferences and seminars as part of your
training, at government expense. You might even find
yourself backpacking with colleagues or attending
specialized Army training courses.
In the process, you’ll learn new skills like teamwork and
leadership. You’ll sharpen the clinical skills you already
possess. And since you’ll be part of an outstanding team
of health care professionals from diverse disciplines and
backgrounds, you’ll be able to share ideas, network and
form lasting friendships.
YOU’RE A DENTIST AND AN OFFICER .
Your Army Reserve experience begins with the Officer
Basic Course (OBC). In this two-week orientation, you and
your colleagues will learn about the Army way of life and
experience the physical and mental challenges you’ll face
as a member of the Army Reserve Health Care Team.
When you complete OBC, you’ll be assigned to the Army
Reserve unit.
During your Army Reserve training, you may work at an
Army dental clinic, medical center or community hospital.
There you will treat a diverse patient base of Soldiers,
providing our nation’s service members dentistry-access
to care — many for the first time.
Or, you could train in an Army field exercise, attend a
dental conference or even participate in a humanitarian
mission. But, no matter how you spend your Army Reserve
training, you will return to your civilian practice with a new
sense of pride and accomplishment.
PRACTICE IN STATE-OF-THE -ART FACILITIES.
Being one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive
health care organizations, the Army Dental Corps is
extremely well-equipped. Which means you’ll be able to
practice your specialty in modern facilities that utilize
state-of-the-art technology. You’ll also be able to try
out the latest equipment, accessories and restorative
materials that you may want to purchase for your own
practice.
Even our remote settings are high tech. Field dental units
may include capabilities for telemedicine transmission,
digital radiology, interactive video conferencing,
computerized patient information management systems
and high-performance, wireless communications.
WORK WITH COLLEAGUES FROM ALL DENTAL DISCIPLINES.
Depending on your specialty, you’re likely to be exposed to
every major facet of dentistry: diagnosis and treatment,
oral surgery, fixed and removable prosthodontics,
endodontics, periodontics and preventive dentistry.
You may get an opportunity to participate in research
and dental care administration. Best of all, you’ll be in a
position to collaborate with leading dental professionals
from various disciplines, not to mention physicians, nurses
and other health care providers. All of which makes
dentistry in the Army Reserve an excellent learning
opportunity.
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR QUALIFIED DENTISTS.
In addition to the income you’ll earn as an officer in the
Army Dental Corps, qualified dentists may be eligible for
one or more of the following financial incentive programs
and Army Reserve educational benefits:
SPECIALIZED TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(STRAP) —
If you’re currently enrolled in an accredited
oral surgery residency, you may be eligible to receive
a monthly stipend — currently over $1,600 a month
(adjusted each July). Your military obligation begins
after you complete your residency. For each year of
financial assistance, two years’ service is required in a
Reserve Troop Program Unit or the Individual Mobilization
Augmentee Program.
SPECIAL PAY —
If you’re a general dentist, comprehensive
dentist, oral surgeon or prosthodontist, you can earn a
special pay of $10,000 per year for three years — a total
of $30,000. HPB participants must agree to serve in
an Army Reserve Troop Program Unit or the Individual
Mobilization Augmentee Program while receiving this
special pay.
HEALTHCARE PROFESIONALS LOAN REPAYMENT
PROGRAM (HPLR) —
For each year you serve, you can receive
up to $20,000 a year toward your outstanding
educational loans — up to a maximum of $50,000 — if
you’re a fully qualified general dentist, comprehensive
dentist, oral surgeon or prosthodontist, and you agree
to serve in an Army Reserve Troop Program Unit or the
Individual Mobilization Augmentee Program.
YOUR BENEFITS, ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND COMITMENT.
ARMY RESERVE BENEFITS
- Commissioned as an officer in the Army Dental Corps
Continuing Dental Education Opportunities
- Retirement benefits at age 60 with 20 years of
qualifying service
- Thrift Savings Plan — a flexible, portable retirement
savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k)
- Worldwide travel opportunities
- Networking possibilities
- Low-cost life and dental insurance
- Post exchange and commissary shopping privileges
- Access to Army recreational facilities
- Change of pace
ARMY RESERVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
-Must be a U.S. citizen or be a permanent resident
- 21 to 46 years of age (dentists 47 years of age or older may apply for an age waiver. Selection is made on acase-by-case basis)
- Graduate of an American Dental Association accredited
dental school in the United States, Canada,
Puerto Rico, District of Columbia or a territory of the
United States
- Current, unrestricted license to practice dentistry in
the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or
a territory of the United States
- Meet the prescribed medical and moral standards for
appointment as a commissioned officer
Favorable security investigation completed
ARMY RESERVE COMITMENT
Initial commitment of eight years. Prior service applicants
will have their military obligation determined on an
individual basis
Train part-time and serve when needed
Attend a two-week Officer Basic Course (one-time
orientation)
YOUR NEXT STEP
Simply contact your local Army Reserve Health Care
Recruiting Officer, Captain Michael Rakow at 877-655-6520
or michael.rakow@usarec.army.mil
Captain Rakow can answer any questions you have about the
Army Dental Corps, the privileges of being an officer and
the application process. Once Captain Rakow has met with
you and determined your eligibility, he will schedule
a routine physical and provide you an opportunity to speak with
an Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officer in your
specific field. Your application packet is then forwarded
to an AMEDD Review Board. If selected,
you officially accept the offer by taking an oath of office
and accepting a commission in the Army Reserve.
The entire process, from the first meeting with your
Recruiter to the commissioning ceremony, usually takes
about three months.
Joining the Dental Corps in the Army Reserve is a decision
you should consider carefully. We think you’ll discover,
however, that the rewards will make your commitment
worth your time. So call Captain Rakow today. And
enjoy a more stimulating, challenging and rewarding
dental career for years to come.
To read more, visit the official Army Healthcare Web site at
healthcare.goarmy.com.
Contact your Army Healthcare Recruiting Officer today:
Captain Michael Rakow at 877-655-6520
or michael.rakow@usarec.army.mil