Dental Corps Officer

Overview

Army National Guard Dental Corps Officers are responsible for the dental health of Soldiers and their families. They are also responsible for providing health care to Soldiers' families and others eligible to receive this care in the military community. During combat, the Dental Corps officer assists in the emergency medical management of casualties. Within the Army National Guard Dental Corps, you can specialize in the following areas: comprehensive dentistry endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and periodontics.

Job duties

• Command and control the Dental Corps units during emergency and nonemergency medical situations
• Coordinate employment of Dental Corps officers at all levels of command in U.S. and multinational operations

Training

As a U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) officer, you will not be required to participate in the Basic Combat Training that enlisted Soldiers attend. Instead, you'll attend an Officer Basic Leadership Course (OBLC), a basic orientation to the Army health care team, Army doctrine, and basic Soldier and leadership skills. OBLC for Active Duty officers is held four times per year at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School at Fort Sam Houston, TX, and lasts from 10 to 14 weeks. Your training time depends on your chosen specialty and whether you have prior military experience. You must also meet height and weight standards pass the Army Physical Fitness Test. After completing OBLC, AMEDD officers report to their initial Active Duty assignment, and students return to their academic training.

Helpful skills

• Self-discipline
• Physical fitness
• Ability to perform under physical and mental pressures
• Ability to make decisions quickly and on your own

Civilian career relevance

As you advance through your career, you will be looking for experiences that blend teaching, research and clinical excellence to prepare you for unique and challenging opportunities. Our dental professionals excel in clinical, research and executive administration arenas. Many have worked in more than one career track throughout their time in the Guard and have held leadership positions ahead of their private sector counterparts. In fact, Army National Guard dental professionals are highly desired candidates for competitive private sector jobs upon leaving the Army National Guard.