Why Does the Dental profession need Veterans?

Dentistry is a complex and rewarding profession that contributes to the comprehensive health of the community. Dentistry and other health care professions (medical school, nursing, physician assistants and nurse practitioners) are typically not at the top of the list when active duty service members look to transition out of the military however if you are interested in healthcare I highly recommend exploring these opportunities before you transition. According to the US News and World Report, 4 of the top 5 “Best 100 Jobs” are in the medical profession. These health professions offer high quality of life, rewarding work and a flexible lifestyle, most importantly these professions need Veterans within their ranks.

Dentistry and other healthcare professions are the ideal paths for Veterans to transition into following military service. Simple traits and basic life skills that are second nature like always carrying a pen, being on time to class and respecting faculty in positions of authority are just initially set you apart from the traditional 22-24 year old dental student. Dental school is without question the most demanding academic experience any of us have encountered. The volume and complexity of the curriculum is challenging for the highest achieving students and generally speaking, very few dental students are prepared for this. As a result clinical and academic setbacks are inevitable. The ability to cope with stress and handle setbacks with grace are instilled and continuously developed in soldiers through rigorous training and shared hardship.

More importantly, the profession of dentistry needs more Veterans! Purpose, service and a sense of community is something that every transitioning Veteran struggles with and dentistry satisfies all of these needs. Medical literacy is an issue specifically in the dental community. Interpersonal and communication skills developed during military service allow the provider to effectively communicate with patients and articulate complex treatment plans at a high level and increase understanding to the patient. Benefits and educational entitlements earned through military service like the Post 9-11 GI Bill, VA Vocational Rehabilitation and the Military HPSP scholarships allow Veterans to complete a professional education like dental school for a fraction of the price or FREE! With student loans hovering around $300K for the average dental student this allows graduates to provide quality care to patients without the stress of student loans. This increases the quality of care of the patient and decreases the stress of the dentists.

With living Veterans from major conflicts dating back to the 1940’s the Veteran community is continually growing. Unfortunately so is the void in Veteran health care. Veteran dentists have an obligation to take care of their fellow vets. Dental anxiety and finances are some of the major contributing factors that people fail to seek dental treatment and eventually end up in the emergency room for something that could have easily been prevented with simple dental treatment. By increasing the number of Veteran dentists in the profession I believe that we can bridge the gap, relate to Veteran patients and ensure their oral healthcare needs are met. If you are able to help just five to ten Veterans per week/month/year we are doing a great service to the community and improving their comprehensive oral and systemic health.