Your Ultimate Guide to HPSP Dental School Life: Finances, Health Insurance, and Success Tips
- ToothOps
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
🎓 Applying to Dental School? --> Why You May Want To Consider the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).
You’re not alone — and you probably have a million questions racing through your mind:
✅ How will HPSP affect my finances?
✅ Will I have reliable health insurance — and what exactly gets reimbursed?
✅ What should I expect after dental school is over?
✅ Which is better — Army, Navy, or Air Force HPSP?
1. Financial Reality Check: Know Your Numbers Before You Start
You’ve probably heard:
"HPSP pays for everything!" Not exactly.
Here's what’s covered — and what’s on you:
Covered by HPSP | Your Out-of-Pocket Responsibilities |
Full dental school tuition | Housing, rent, meals, utilities |
Required school fees | Daily living expenses (transportation, etc.) |
Books, clinical supplies | Optional fees (gym memberships, parking) |
Laptop/Tablet (one-time reimbursement) | Travel during school breaks |
Health insurance (school plan reimbursement only) | Significant Other/kids insurance (no reimbursement) |
💡 Pro Tip: Use the HPSP Dental Financial Calculator to estimate your total four-year costs and prepare a financial safety net.
2. Understanding Your Health Insurance as an HPSP Student
Insurance under HPSP can be confusing. Here’s the quick breakdown:
Period | Coverage for You | Coverage for Dependents |
Normal Dental School Year | School’s Student Health Plan (reimbursed) | Private insurance (self-funded) |
Active Duty (Campus Tour/ADT) | TRICARE (secondary) + School Plan | Private insurance + TRICARE (secondary) |
✅ Buy your school’s plan — it gets reimbursed by HPSP.
✅ During Active Duty, TRICARE automatically activates (and it’s free secondary coverage).
❌ You can’t use TRICARE Select Reserve as a full-time student.
👉 Pro Tip: If you need major medical services (surgeries, childbirth, braces), schedule them during Active Duty periods to use TRICARE benefits.
3. What Happens After Dental School?
✅ After graduation, you’ll serve as a commissioned officer dentist — 1 year of service per year of HPSP scholarship, plus one extra year (usually 4 years total).
✅ You’ll practice dentistry with a full salary, excellent benefits (housing allowance, retirement options, healthcare), and no dental school debt.
✅ You can choose to leave after your commitment — or stay for a full military career if you love it!
👉 Coming Soon on ToothOps: Real salary breakdowns after dental school, first assignments explained, pros/cons of staying long-term.
4. Army vs. Navy vs. Air Force HPSP: How to Choose?
Branch | Vibe/Experience |
Army | Larger dental corps, more locations globally, leadership-heavy opportunities |
Navy | Deployments are more common, but travel experiences are unmatched |
Air Force | Generally viewed as most family/stability friendly; base locations often desirable |
✅ All three branches pay the same for HPSP, but lifestyle and travel options vary.
✅ Think about where you want to live, how much you want to travel, and what kind of team you want around you.
👉 Coming Soon on ToothOps: Deep-dive guides comparing day-to-day life as an Army, Navy, or Air Force dentist!
5. What a Year in Your Life Will Look Like
August–May: Dental student life — lectures, clinics, exams.
Summer/Fall/Winter (45 Days): Active Duty Training (ADT) — earn full military pay.
Year-Round: Submit paperwork for tuition, insurance, and stipends.
🧠 Mindset Shift: You’re both a full-time student and a commissioned military officer.
Organization is your superpower!
🦷 Pro Tips to Thrive as an HPSP Dental Student
Save Every Receipt: Required for reimbursement.
Stay Close to Your Program Officer: They're your admin lifeline.
Save Early: $5K–$10K safety net recommended.
Maximize Campus Tours: Shadow specialists, build your military resume.
Plan Big Life Events During TRICARE Coverage: Save serious money.
Final Thoughts: Is HPSP Worth It?
✅ YES — If you want to graduate dental school without debt and serve with purpose.
✅ YES — If you're ready to organize your finances, documents, and career path like a future leader.
⚠️ BUT — It’s not a good fit if you hate paperwork, structure, or can't manage deadlines independently.
👉 Ready to plan your future?
🚀 📦 FREE DOWNLOAD: 🧠The Ultimate HPSP Financial Survival Workbook!
Shaping Smiles, Fueling Dreams — ToothOps🦷✨
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