Section II. ADMINISTRATION OF DENTAL READINESS AND
COMMUNITY ORAL HEALTH PROTECTION
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COMMAND GUIDANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY
Within the United States (US) Army Medical Command (AMEDD), the Surgeon
General (TSG), based upon guidance from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health
Affairs, will approve policy concerning the Army Dental Readiness and Community Oral
Health Protection Programs. The Chief of the US Army Dental Corps will advise and make
recommendations to TSG concerning dental readiness and community oral health
protection and appoint a Public Health Dentistry Consultant. Other command
responsibilities are given in AR 40-35, paragraph 4a.
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PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY GOALS
Today, the entire philosophy of professional dental education centers on
prevention. From the incorporation of fluoride into developing teeth of children and
application of pit and fissure sealants to basic research developing a vaccine against
dental decay, the idea of disease prevention permeates dental education. Even through
less than 2 percent of the total formal course work in dental school is spent directly on
preventive dentistry, the philosophy itself is all important. The techniques of prevention
are relatively simple when compared to certain repair treatments. However, patient
education and patient acceptance are key to the program's success. All training of
enlisted personnel in the dental science field contains instruction on preventive
dentistry. The Dental Specialist (68E10) receives a minimum of ten percent of formal
training in preventive dentistry. The Preventive Dentistry Specialist (PDS), the X2 ASI,
receives up to 50 percent of their program in prevention, divided between the classroom
and the clinic. Trained enlisted personnel have been invaluable for their role in patient
education in preventive dentistry.
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THE INSTALLATION PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY PROGRAM
a. Each military installation is responsible for setting up its own Preventive
Dentistry Program using guidelines supplied by the Department of the Army, the Chief
of the Army Dental Corps, and the Medical Command Preventive Dentistry Program
manager. Each installation is also responsible for appointing a preventive dentistry
officer. This officer may be assisted in the actual operation of his program by other
dental officers, dental auxiliaries, or by a public health hygienist.
b. The preventive dentistry officer is responsible for developing training for all
dental personnel, conducting oral health screening, and designing preventive programs
to improve the oral health of the military community.
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