Traveling tooth techs

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Zach Jacobs
  • 507 Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  When given orders to deploy, it's sometimes difficult for an Airman to ensure that all the necessary preparation is complete before departing.

And Airmen might admit that a dental exam is usually one of the least anticipated boxes to check before shipping off.

The local branch of a national dental organization helped nearly 100 Airmen from the 507th Air Refueling Wing and 513th Air Control Group prepare
for a sendoff.

As part of the Air Force Reserve Command's Reserve Health Readiness Program (RHRP), ten professionals from the Oklahoma City branch of Dental Solutions
performed exams for Airmen on April 2.

The dental team arrived at 6 a.m. to set up their equipment and a waiting area in the conference room of Tinker Air Force Base's medical center.

And the patients began to trickle in about 7:30 that morning to a makeshift clinic equipped with portable X-ray machines, reclining chairs and disposable dental
instruments.

Roberta Neal, the dental lead facilitator for the visit, said visits like these keep the Dental Solutions crew busy.

Three weekends out of every month, said Neal, the team travels to different locations to provide dental services to servicemembers of all branches.

After a brief check-in at the front desk, patients sat in a row of chairs awaiting two X-ray stations. The technicians there entered personal information in their
computers, then placed the obligatory lead apron over their patients' chests.

Using a handheld unit, the technicians took X-rays of the patients' teeth and then printed out those images on photo paper.

Then the waiting continued in another row of chairs next to the dentist station. However, the patients didn't have to wait long.

The dentists then gave a quick but thorough examination of their patients' teeth as the assistants made remarks in their individual dental files.

Patients then took their records back to the front Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Zach Jacobs desk, where they were released. From check-in to
check-out, the average process for a patient took no longer than 30 minutes.

Best of all, no flossing, fluoride rinse or drilling was involved.

And Staff Sgt. Corey Lambrecht of the 72nd Aerial Port Squadron liked that particular aspect of the dental event. He said his routine examination required no
repairs on his teeth, which equaled "no pain" in staying eligible for deployment.

Tech. Sgt. Kay Terrapin of the 507th Support Group also gave her approval for the event, saying that going through Dental Solutions was "a lot faster (in) getting
current" for a dental exam.

But the Airmen getting treated weren't the only ones to say they liked the dental event overall.

Neal, an X-ray technician by training and a four-year employee of Dental Solutions, said she loves her job, adding that she particularly "enjoy(s) interacting with servicemembers."

Toni White, a certified dental assistant, said the Tinker event was also her fourth event, but enjoyed it all the same.

The fast pace of the event was a plus, said White. She also said that, in her capacity as an X-ray technician, she was "doing my duty to help servicemembers help
us."

And the dentists there like the events, too. Dr. Sam Davis, D.D.S., a dental professional of more than 50 years and one of two dentists at the April event, said
he "loves the heck out of " treating servicemembers.

When asked why, Davis said that they are generally healthier patients, adding that they are more fun to treat, due to a better sense of humor than most
patients.

Davis also said that it's easier on both patient and dentist when they each can lighten the atmosphere and "cut up."

And many patients will doubtless agree that no literal cutting up or drilling of their gums or teeth makes a trip to the dentist much more bearable.

Check out the On-final for more stories like this one.