Military Career: Dentists
Overview
Dental care is a basic health service provided to men and women in the military. Military dentists examine, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders of the mouth. They may practice general dentistry or work in one of several specialties.
What They Do
Dentists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Examine patients' teeth and gums to detect signs of disease or tooth decay
- Examine X-rays to determine the soundness of teeth and the alignment of teeth and jaws
- Locate and fill tooth cavities
- Perform oral (mouth) surgery to treat problems with teeth, gums, or jaws
- Develop and fit dentures (artificial teeth) to replace missing teeth
- Construct and fit dental devices, such as braces and retainers, for straightening teeth
- Plan dental health programs for patients to help prevent dental problems
Branches of the Military
Army
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Desire to help others
- Good eye-hand coordination
Training Provided
No initial job training is provided to officers in this occupation.
Work Environment
Dentists work in hospitals and dental clinics on land and aboard ships.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian dentists work in private practice, public health facilities, and dental research organizations. They perform duties similar to those performed in the military and specialize in similar areas. Depending on their specialty, dentists may also be called oral pathologists, endodontists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, pedodontists, prosthodontists, periodontists, or public health dentists.
Below is a list of similar civilian occupations:
Opportunities
The military has about 3,000 dentists. Each year, the services need new dentists to meet the changing demands in the field. Newly commissioned dentists are assigned to dental clinics to practice general dentistry or a dental specialty. Positions for dentists in the Coast Guard are filled by U.S. Public Health Service Officers. Dentists who demonstrate leadership and managerial qualities may advance to administer dental facilities and programs.
Source: U.S.
Department of Defense, Washington D.C.
