Introduction to armed forces dentistry
As a dentist in the armed forces, or as part of the Defence Dental Services (DDS), you play a crucial role in delivering and maintaining the oral health of all soldiers, sailors, and air personnel, ensuring they are dentally fit for duties worldwide. You are involved in preventive care, regular screening, treating oral diseases, and addressing the specific challenges faced by those serving in the armed forces.
The DDS are responsible for providing dental care at 180 locations for over 160,000 patients. Overseas, it also provides primary oral healthcare for service families and entitled civilians. Each Dental Officer (DO), at clinic level, has approximately 1,200 patients to look after.
In armed forces dentistry, you benefit from modern, well-equipped surgeries and a rolling programme of updates that recognise advances in evolving infrastructure requirements and surgery design. A wide range of dental materials are available to you, and they are under constant review. Additionally, there is a well-established referral service for specialist care provided by primary healthcare enhanced practitioners and secondary care consultants.