Overview:

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The cost of starting and maintaining a dental practice can be substantial. If you are a recent graduate with student loan obligations, this cost can be prohibitive. As a member of the U.S. Army Dental Corps, you can enter a stimulating existing practice with no start-up costs and begin treating patients without waiting to build a patient base.

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Job Duties:

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• Examine, diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and defects of teeth, jaws, oral cavity and supporting structures to ensure that each Soldier is in optimal oral health

• Conduct and supervise direct patient care, and plan and execute disease prevention and health promotion programs

• Exercise command of medical units as provided by law and regulation

• Perform special staff functions in health support for commanders at all levels

• Conduct medical research on diseases of military importance, and conduct, supervise and participate in graduate medical education and training of other medical personnel needed to sustain a robust and readily available medical system

• Unique duty positions include: General Dental Officer; Unit Dental Surgeon; Clinic Chief

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Requirements:

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Active Duty

• Doctorate from an American Dental Association—accredited dental school in the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or Canada

• Between 21 and 42 years of age (waivers available)

• License to practice dentistry

• Must be a U.S. citizen

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Training:

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In the Army Dental Corps, the case diversity dentists experience in caring for our service men and women far exceeds the medical care environment of the private sector. As an Army Dental Corps officer, you'll have access to the most sophisticated technology, the opportunity to consult with experts in both the military and private sector, plus exceptional professional growth opportunities, and may pay for continuing education, clinical specialization and residencies. Newly appointed Army Dental Corps officers who have not had postdoctoral residency training are designated General Dental officers. Upon completion of residency specialty training, the General Dental officer will acquire an advanced specialty designation.

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Helpful Skills:

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• Army Dental Corps officers must be leaders skilled in tactics, techniques and procedures in order to understand and support the Soldier; possess strong Army values, leader attributes and skills; and fully understand the key leadership actions that must be taken to ensure success.

• The Army Dental Corps offers a broad spectrum of opportunities. Every officer learns and trains to be a fully capable team member, gaining expertise and experience in diverse specialties and skills. Dentists gain this knowledge through continuing medical education and experience sustained by mentoring, additional institutional training, continuous self-development and progressive levels of assignments within their specialty.

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Compensation:

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In addition to your annual salary and the many privileges that come with being an officer on the U.S. Army health care team, you'll be rewarded with:​

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Active Benefits:​​

• Health Professional Signing Bonus of up to $150,000

• Board Certification Pay of $6,000 per year (prorated monthly)

• Health Professional Annual Bonus of up to $20,000 (prorated monthly)

• Health Professional Student Loan Repayment of $40,000 per year up to a maximum of $250,000

• Dental Officer Multiyear Retention Bonus, based on specialty and length of contract

• 30 days of paid vacation earned annually

• Noncontributory retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service

• No cost or low cost medical and dental care for you and your family

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