3-10. THE DENTAL CARE SYSTEM
a. Chief, Dental Corps. The dental staff officer to TSG is a Major General of
the DC. He serves as Assistant Surgeon General for Dental Services and as Chief of
the DC. As a member of TSG staff, he participates in integrated planning and
budgeting for the total health care effort. Being a staff officer, he has no personnel
(except his own staff) or clinical facilities under his direct control. He advises TSG on all
dental matters, formulates plans and policies regarding dental support for the Army, and
is directly responsible for the administration and direction of DC programs throughout
the Army.
b. Staff. To assist in the execution of his mission, the Chief of the DC has a
small staff consisting of a senior DC Staff Officer, a Dental Care Administrator, a
Management and Studies Officer, and a Resources Planning Officer.
c. Health Services Command. The US Army HSC commands all patient care
activities in CONUS except those facilities belonging to TOE units. Dental Activities
(DENTAC) and Area Dental Laboratories (ADL) report directly to the HSC.
d. MEDICAL Department Dental Activities. The DENTAC Commander, a
dental officer, commands the DENTAC and serves as the principal advisor to the
installation commander on matters relating to the Dental Care System.
e. Dental Clinics. Dental clinics are located in centers of troop concentration
and are staffed so that they are self-sufficient: that is, all or most of the dental
specialties are represented in each clinic so that the dental officers can work in groups.
There are two exceptions to this policy. One exception concerns the prosthodontic
service. The prosthodontic capability is centralized because of the unique and
expensive equipment requirements and the large number of technical laboratory
support personnel needed. The other exception concerns the pedodontic and
orthodontic specialties that are not represented at some DENTACS.
NOTE: Pedodontic and orthodontic care authorized at all posts in 1985. Provided on
space available basis only.
f. Area Dental Laboratories. The ADL has the primary mission of providing
prosthodontic laboratory support on an area basis. There are four ADL in CONUS,
each with an area of responsibility. The ADL are also responsible for conducting
research, writing technical publications, and conducting short courses with emphasis on
laboratory procedures.
g. Additional Positions. Other areas in which the DC is represented include
the AHS, US Army; US Army Institute of Dental Research; Medical Research and
Development Command; Defense Medical Materiel Agency; Office of the Civilian Health
and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); and Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense (PVNTMED).
MD0004
3-7