Dentists
Background
Dental care is a basic health service provided to men and women in the military. Military dentists may practice general dentistry or work in one of several specialties. Military dentists examine, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders of the mouth.
What They Do
Dentists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Construct and fit dental devices, such as braces and retainers, for straightening teeth
- Develop and fit dentures (artificial teeth) to replace missing teeth
- Examine patients' teeth and gums to detect signs of disease or tooth decay
- Examine x-rays to determine the soundness of teeth and the alignment of teeth and jaws
- Locate and fill tooth cavities
- Perform oral (mouth) surgery to treat problems with teeth, gums, or jaws
- Plan dental health programs for patients to help prevent dental problems
Physical Demands
No information available.
Special Requirements
A doctor of dentistry degree and additional training in a dental specialty are required to enter this career.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Desire to help others
- Good eye-hand coordination
Helpful School Subjects
No information available.
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Dentists work in hospitals and dental clinics on land and aboard ships.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Army
- Coast Guard
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for officers.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
No initial job training is provided to officers in this career.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian dentists work in private practice, public health facilities, and dental research organizations. They perform duties similar to those performed in the military and specialize in similar areas. Depending on their specialty, dentists may also be called oral pathologists, endodontists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, prosthodontists, periodontists, or public health dentists.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 3,000 dentists. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new dentists to meet the changing demands in the field. Newly commissioned dentists are assigned to dental clinics to practice general dentistry or a dental specialty. Positions for dentists in the Coast Guard are filled by US Public Health Service Officers. Dentists who demonstrate leadership and managerial qualities may advance to administer dental facilities and programs.