Why preventative dentistry matters Published June 12, 2015 By Captain Andrew L. Thomasson/Airman 1st Class Renee J. Wu Minot Air Force Base Dental Clinic MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- It's no surprise that on a list of favorite places, the dental clinic doesn't rank terribly high up there. The thought of foreign fingers, needles or drills in your mouth is enough to send anyone running the opposite direction, and for many men and women, both enlisted and civilian, it does. But what if I told you that taking care of your teeth, i.e. brushing and flossing, could make you... Patriotic? Taking care of your teeth doesn't just effect your health, but it also can greatly impact the mission. Ever wonder why pre-deployment screenings are so extensive? It may not be obvious how something like your teeth can possibly affect the mission, but here you'll learn the rippling effects of good oral hygiene. Dental emergencies down-range is the last thing that any member wants to worry about. The mission of the Dental Clinic has always been about taking care of Airmen. Conducting annual exams and cleanings ensures that every member is worldwide qualified. Dental readiness can be classified into four main categories: Class 1 signifies an individual has optimal oral hygiene, and is not likely to require dental treatment within a 365-day time period. Class 2 occurs when an individual has some dental needs that would require treatment in the next 12 months, but this treatment will not effect readiness. Class 3 renders the member unqualified for any deployment, TDY, or PCS due to the severity of the disease or condition and will likely cause problems if not treated. Lastly, Class 4 also renders the member unqualified for deployment due to the member not having an exam within the last year. From a readiness perspective, it has been documented that DE's during deployment occur at a rate of up to 260 per 1000 personnel per year. Dental officers record this information at every DE visit. The questionnaire on our Corporate Dental Application (CDA) enables the provider to categorize the DE into 1 of 47 choices, which can be listed into subcategories of severe, moderately severe and pain/loss of function. Regarding costs, all DEs have measurable dollar amounts, taking into account transportation to and from the Dental Treatment Facility, time away from the patient's unit and cost of treatment. The DD uses a formula based on a variety of national averages to determine a cost value for each procedure. This formula was applied in a study from 2009-2011, which found an average of $21.7 million was lost during a deployment each year due to DEs; money that could've gone toward the mission. So the next time you come into the Dental Clinic, know we aren't here because we all have a sick sense of humor. Just remember, when you're sitting in the dreaded dental chair of doom while listening to your doctor lecturing you once again to floss more, you're actually helping our brothers and sisters-in-arm overseas. No one wants to leave their family and friends behind; however, we all do it because we all swore to defend this country. If you're truly committed to the mission, sometimes all it takes is a little extra brushing.