Job: Dental Specialist (68E)

JOIN THE U.S. ARMY!
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.


Everyone needs proper dental care. Army Soldiers aren't any different. Fortunately, dental care is one of the health services provided to Army personnel all over the world. Dental Specialists are essential members of the Army dental care team. They assist Army dentists in the examination and treatment of patients, as well as help manage dental offices. The Dental Specialist is primarily responsible for assisting Army dentists in the examination and treatment of patients, while also helping to manage dental offices. Some of your duties as a Dental Specialist may include:

* Assist with Patient care
* Receive and seat patients
* Prepare dental operatory, select and arrange instruments, measure and record temperature, blood pressure and pulse, and assist dentist during patient exams
* Assist with administration of anesthesia and in placement and removal of sutures
* Prepare restorative and impression materials
* Perform Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and operate resuscitative equipment
* Dispose of contaminated waste and dental radiography
* Load and unload radiographic film cassettes, protects self and patient from excessive ionizing radiation exposure, exposes bite-wing periapical, occlusal film, panoramic radiographic darkroom procedures
* Perform administration, supply, and maintenance
* Schedule appointments, retrieve, file, and maintain dental records
* Receive, store, pack, unpack and safeguard dental supplies and equipment
* Perform preventive maintenance on dental equipment
* Sets up, maintain, disassemble and pack dental field equipment shelters

Job training for a Dental Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 30 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice dental care tasks. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

* Preventive dentistry
* Radiology (X-ray) techniques
* Dental office procedures
* Dental hygiene procedures

Helpful attributes include:

* An interest in biology and chemistry
* An interest in helping others
* Good hand-eye coordination
* An ability to follow spoken instructions and detailed procedures
* An interest in working with people

Advanced level Dental Specialist provides guidance, supervises and trains the other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Dental Specialist, you may be involved in:

* Assist dental officer in prevention, examination, and treatment of diseases of teeth and oral region
* Assist and advise subordinate personnel on supply economy procedures
* Supervise the packing, unpacking, loading, setting up and storage of dental unit field equipment and shelters
* Assist in presentation of training programs
* Prepare the site for field dental treatment facilities
* Assist with technical and administrative management of dental treatment facilities under the supervision of a dental NCO

The skills you learn as a Dental Specialist will help prepare you for a future at civilian dental offices or clinics. You'll be qualified to assist civilian dentists in the treatment of patients, as well as provide support as a dental assistant or dental hygienist.

With your extensive Army training and experience, as well as some additional study, you'll have the opportunity to qualify for certification with either the American Medical Technologists as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or with the Dental Assisting National Board as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).

* Health Care Specialist (68W)
* Preventive Medicine Specialist (68S)
* Radiology Specialist (68P)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.