2-11. UNITED STATES ARMY DENTAL ACTIVITY
The US Army Dental Activity (DENTAC) is a major subordinate element of the
Health Services Command and is organizationally equal to the MEDCEN. The mission
of the DENTAC is to provide dental diagnosis, care, treatment, and consultation
services to all eligible beneficiaries. The DENTAC provides specialty services to the
MEDCEN's Department of Dentistry and Department of Pathology. The MEDCEN
provides complete administrative and logistical support to the DENTAC.
a. Office of the Commander. The Office of the Commander consists of the
DENTAC Commander, the Executive Officer, and the senior NCO.
(1) Commander. The Commander is responsible for the total dental care
delivery mission in its HSA (which may be different from the MEDCEN HSA), supervises
professional training programs, develops the DENTAC operating budget and program,
evaluates dental services provided by the DENTAC, supervises the operation of dental
clinics, and provides consu1tation services.
(2) Executive Officer. The Executive Officer serves as the commander of
the Dental Company; plans, directs, and coordinates all administrative aspects of the
DENTAC; advises the DENTAC commander on the operation of military dentistry and
on planning the operating budget; and monitors the utilization of expendable and
nonexpendable dental supplies to include the control of precious metals.
(3) Senior Dental NCO. The senior dental NCO serves as the First
Sergeant of the Dental Company, assists the DENTAC commander on matters
pertaining to enlisted personnel, supervises enlisted and civilian training programs, and
monitors the reenlistment program for the activity.
b. Dental Company. The Dental Company (or Dental Company/Detachment)
provides for the management and training of military personnel assigned to the
DENTAC.
c. Dental Clinics. Dental clinics are the primary dental care delivery elements
of the DENTAC. Each clinic has an officer-in-charge-who is responsible for its
professional and administrative management. Dental clinics may be organized into as
many sections as appropriate to provide dental services within manpower limitations.
Sections that may be formed include the Administrative Section, the Preventive
Dentistry Section, and the Dental Service Section. The Dental Service Section may
contain general dentistry, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, pedodontics, fixed
prosthodontics, removal prosthodontics, orthodontics, oral medicine, and oral pathology
elements.
d. Satellite Dental Services. Satellite dental services can be organized to
provide dental care at a geographical location that is physically separated from the
DENTAC
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