By choosing to practice in the Active Army, you'll receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes a competitive salary, bonuses based on the length of your contract and years of service, as well as dental school loan repayment. Other benefits include low-cost or no-cost medical, dental and life insurance, generous retirement plan options, housing allowances and 30 days of paid vacation earned annually. Perhaps most importantly, you can take advantage of reasonable work-life balance that provides plenty of time for family and recreational pursuits.

HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

If you're enrolled in an ADA-accredited D.D.S. or D.M.D. program, you may be eligible to receive our full-tuition scholarship program for up to four years. You'll also receive money for books and academic fees, plus a monthly stipend of $1,992. During academic breaks, you'll train alongside other U.S. Army Health Care professionals. Qualifying dental students are also eligible to receive a $20,000 sign-on bonus.

Learn more about the Health Professions Scholarship Program

 

EARLY COMMISSIONING PROGRAM (ECP)

As a dental student, you are eligible to be commissioned as an Officer in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. You will be assigned to an Army Reserve control group while attending dental school. When you enter active duty, you will receive credit for pay, retroactive from the date of appointment in the ECP. Reserve time served in the ECP does not count for credit toward retirement. ECP participants are eligible to participate in the Health Professions Scholarship Program.

DENTAL OFFICER ACCESSION BONUS

Receive a sign-on bonus of $75,000, paid in a lump sum at your first duty station. Dental students in their final year of school may apply for this bonus.

SPECIALTY PAY

As an active Army Dental Corps Officer, you may be eligible for one or more of the four types of Specialty Pay. Each is paid in addition to your base pay.

VARIABLE SPECIAL PAY (VSP)

Paid in monthly increments, this program provides $3,000 to $12,000 per year, based on length of service and annual rates.

BOARD CERTIFICATION PAY (BCP)

Board-certified dentists are eligible to receive $2,500 to $6,000 per year. This monthly Specialty Pay is based on length of service and annual rates.

DENTAL ADDITIONAL SPECIAL PAY (DASP)

You may qualify to receive an annual sum of $4,000 to $15,000, based on creditable service.

DENTAL OFFICER MULTI-YEAR RETENTION BONUS (DOMRB)

Based on your specialty and the length of your contract; this Special Pay can range from $13,000 to $50,000 each year.

ACTIVE DUTY HEALTH PROFESSIONS LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (ADHPLRP)

You can receive up to $120,000 to pay down your dental school debt. The ADHPLRP provides $40,000 a year for up to three years. This program may be combined with the Health Professions Bonus.

When you serve as a dentist and Officer on the U.S. Army Reserve Health Care Team, you can practice in your community and serve when needed. In addition to generous financial incentives and retirement plan options, you'll have the opportunity to develop new skills and learn the latest dental procedures.

SPECIAL PAY

General dentists, comprehensive dentists, oral surgeons and prosthodontists are eligible to receive $75,000 in Special Pay, paid in yearly increments of $25,000 per year for three years. Special Pay recipients may be eligible to participate in other incentive programs. To be eligible for this program, you must possess a current, unrestricted dental license.

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (HPLR)

As a general dentist, comprehensive dentist, prosthodontist or oral surgeon, you can receive up to $50,000 to repay your dental school loans. HPLR payments are made over three years, in installments of $20,000, $20,000 and $10,000. HPLR participants may be eligible to participate in other incentive programs. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted state dental license to apply.