Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Barnett | Maj. Mark Sheils, dentist for the 184th Medical Group, is the first dentist the wing...... read more read more
There’s something new at the 184th Intelligence Wing dental office: a new traditional Guard dentist, Maj. Mark Sheils. Sheils started with the 184th IW in Sept. 2011 and knew that he had a few challenges ahead of him.
“There hadn’t been a dentist down here for going on five years and it was an opportunity to come down,” said Sheils.”The 184th Medical Unit had Health Services Inspection coming up and I was aware of that. I got wind that they needed a dentist and I heard that it was a good unit, so that is how I got down here.”
“It is nice to have someone in house that if you have issues that you can come over and get your questions answered,” said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Delaney, 184th radiology technician. “Instead of having to go to the dentist across base or off base we have someone in house that can explain the situation.”
With not having a Guard dentist for five years and preparing for HSI, the dental office has been busy seeing patients. Since Sheils has joined, he and his staff have ensured that everyone in the wing has a dental chart that is up to military standards.
“We have to be at a certain deployable strength and it was a challenge of getting everyone up to snuff or up to that standard and I think that we did that well,” said Sheils.
“It is a madhouse down here, now that they are trying to get the five year medical and dental exams on the same month, I would say that we see 40 to 50 patients here on Sundays,” said Delaney.
Even though the 184th IW has its own dentist, it doesn’t mean that Guardsmen can use that service in place of their private dentist. A form 2813, a yearly dental evaluation form, is still required to be turned in to the medical group.
“I am only doing a military dental exam here, I am not their primary dentist,” said Sheils. “What we are looking for is someone that can be deployed and not have an immediate problem with their teeth or oral health.”
One thing that is very evident after talking with Sheils for a couple minutes, his accent indicates that he isn’t from Kansas.
“I have a private practice up in Fargo, N.D., I have been in practice there for about 15 to 20 years now,” said Sheils.
Like many others, Sheils travels a great distance every drill weekend to be a part of the 184th IW.
“I am a home body and this was a major step for me to come down here but it has been good though. It is fun to come down here and meet people,” said Sheils.
“I have to give him props because that takes a lot of dedication and a lot of service before self,” said Delaney. “You know, he isn’t here to make the money but he is here to make sure that the people of the 184th are taken care of.”
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.07.2012 14:42 |
| Story ID: | 97428 |
| Location: | MCCONNEL AIR FORCE BASE, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 66 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Smiles get brighter at 184th Intelligence Wing, by Maj. Matthew Lucht, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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