Arkansas Army National Guard Unveils New Dental Clinic: A Smile for Service!

🎉 Exciting news from Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas! On December 8, 2024, the Arkansas Army National Guard is set to unveil a cutting-edge in-house dental clinic, making history as just the fourth state National Guard in the entire country to provide dental care for Soldiers during drill and annual training. This is a monumental step forward in ensuring our brave men and women are ready for anything—both on and off the battlefield!

The newly established clinic will feature two dedicated rooms within the Troop Medical Clinic, equipped to handle essential dental services like cleanings and fillings. It’s all about keeping our Soldiers qualified and deployable, no matter where duty calls! 🚀

“This is a game changer for the Arkansas Army National Guard,” declared Col. Clint Miller, the commander of the Arkansas Army National Guard Medical Command. “Not only does this facility enhance our capabilities, but it also boasts state-of-the-art equipment that surpasses many civilian clinics.” 🦷✨

But that’s not all! Arkansas Army National Guard dentists, who are already top-notch practitioners, will now get the chance to serve their fellow Soldiers while on duty. “That’s huge,” says Col. Miller. “Typically, this sort of care is only available when we’re deployed. Our Guardsmen are now going to benefit from world-class dental professionals—at no cost!”

Creating this dental clinic came with a price tag of around $250,000, but it’s a smart investment that promises to boost overall dental readiness. With this major initiative, the Arkansas National Guard is rolling out its Dental Readiness Program, which focuses on the health of our troops through annual exams and ongoing care.

Every Soldier undergoes an annual dental exam as part of their health assessment, which helps classify their dental readiness. Depending on their results, they may fall into categories that determine their deployability. This means a direct impact on the Army’s readiness as a whole!

Sneak peek: If a Soldier has had a civilian dental exam within the last 90 days and is classified as deployable, they can use the DD Form 2813 to waive the dental exam during their annual checkup. Talk about convenient! 🗂️👍

The clinic will also tackle real-time dental needs for Soldiers with conditions classified as DRC 3. From cleanings and fillings to simple extractions, the facility can treat 15 to 20 Soldiers each day, ensuring dental issues are addressed swiftly and effectively. Our skilled dentists are fully credentialed, so you can trust you’re in good hands!

Lastly, the Arkansas National Guard’s Paid Dental Program allows Guardsmen to receive more complex treatments—think root canals and wisdom teeth removal—at their choice of civilian dental clinics. Choose your trusted dentist close to home and let the medical staff handle the paperwork. It’s that simple! 🏥❤️

“This new Dental Program is revolutionary,” said Col. Miller. “It empowers our Soldiers to get the high-level care they need, and we’re already seeing a reduction in the DRC 3 population to 2.3%, below the National Guard Bureau’s required metrics. Exciting times are ahead for Arkansas Army National Guard dentistry!”