Photo By Michael Guterl | Capt. Tippireddy coaches Spc. Berger as she practices her dental skills on a dental...... read more read more
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. – From June 15-19, 2015, Army Reserve Soldiers from the 307th Medical Brigade 912 Dental Company based in Twinsboro, Ohio, conducted their annual training at the first-ever Army Reserve Dental Sustainment Training Center (DSTC) at the Fort Hunter Liggett Medical Aid Station.
"The dental sustainment training bridges the gap of providing valuable dental sustainment training every year as opposed to receiving training once every four years or none at all,” said Denise Hays, a DSTC instructor.
In 2009, the U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) Dental Surgeons invested $1.4 million for dental sustainment training to better prepare dental technicians for overseas tours.
As a result, the Army Reserve Dental Sustainment Training Pilot Program was created to train Soldiers in the Dental Specialist 68E Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) career. This program provides much needed refresher training for Reservists who oftentimes are not in this profession in their civilian careers.
After several years of the pilot program test phase, the Army Reserve developed a more comprehensive DSTC pilot program in March 2015. Training covers dental administration, X-rays, dental hygiene procedures, dentistry treatment and implementation plans and teaching of new dental techniques.
This is the first year that the 807th Medical Deployment Support Command (MDSC) requires dental companies to include annual dental sustainment training. The annual requirement allows Soldiers to practice and perfect their dental skills in preparation for possible deployments.
Spc. Eric Perry with the 912 Dental Company stated that "the training provided me with additional dental experience and allowed me to learn new techniques."
When deployed, dental specialists set up dental clinics for a humanitarian mission, providing free dental care to civilians. Furthermore, they provide the capability of building a dental clinic in support of active duty Soldiers in a combat environment.
“The training builds confidence for these Soldiers and allows them to work efficiently and effectively, especially when the Soldiers are deploying for a humanitarian or combat mission,” said Hays.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2015 12:13 |
| Story ID: | 168084 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 435 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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