Job: Dental Corps Officer (63)

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To be a U.S. Army Soldier is to be a part of the strongest fighting force in the world. You'll spend your days training, working and serving together to protect America's freedoms. But you'll also have time after work for family, friends and personal interests. From recruitment to retirement, the U.S. Army provides a unique and diverse lifestyle for Soldiers.


An Army Dental Corps Officer is responsible for the dental health of Soldiers and their families. They are also responsible for providing health care to Soldiers' families and others eligible to receive this care in the military community. During combat, the Dental Corps Officer assists in the emergency medical management of casualties; identifies casualties through dental records and makes sure Soldiers are combat ready when it comes to their health. There are several other areas to specialize in within the Army Dental Corps: * Comprehensive Dentist * Endodontist * Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon * Orthodontist * Pediatric Dentist * Periodontist * Prosthodontist The responsibilities of a Dental Corps Officer may include:

* Commanding and controlling the Dental Corps units during emergency and non-emergency medical situations
* Coordinate employment of Dental Corps Soldiers at all levels of command, from platoon to battalion and higher, in U.S. and multi-national operations.

As an Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officer, you will not participate in the Basic Training or Boot Camp; instead, you'll attend an Officer Basic Leadership Course (OBLC), a basic orientation course to the Army Health Care system, Army doctrine, and basic soldier and leader skills.

Officer Basic Leadership Course for Active Duty Officers is held five times a year at the AMEDD Center and School in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas and lasts from nine to fourteen weeks. Officers in the Army Reserve go to OBLC for two weeks. Health Professions Scholarship Program recipients will attend for 6 six weeks one time during their graduate medical education.

Your training time depends on your chosen specialty and whether or not you have prior military experience. You must also meet height and weight standards, as well as pass the Army Physical Fitness Test.

After completing OBLC, AMEDD Officers report to their initial Active Duty assignment. Students return to their graduate medical education following successful completion of OBLC.

Being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities. A leader exhibits self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence. They are physically fit and can perform under physical and mental pressures. Leaders make decisions quickly, always focusing on completing the mission successfully, and show respect for their subordinates and other military officers. Leaders lead from the front and adjust to environments that are always changing. They are judged by their ability to make decisions on their own and bear ultimate moral responsibility for those decisions.

Dental Corps Officers may continue to specialize and serve in the Dental Corps at ever increasing levels of leadership and responsibility.

Responsibilities of a Dental Corps Captain may include:

* Commanding and controlling part of a Field Hospital, installation Dental or Medical Activity (DENTAC or MEDDAC), or larger Health Services Command.
* Coordinate employment of Dental Corps Soldiers at all levels of command, from company to division level and beyond, in U.S. and multi-national operations.
* Develop doctrine, organizations and equipment for unique dental and health care missions.
* Instruct dental skills at service schools and medical training centers.
* Serve as a dental or health care advisor to other units, including Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve organizations.

Being a Dentist in the Army Dental Corps, you will have the same qualifications to practice as a Dentist in your specialty in the civilian world.