text: Chapter 8
  Dental Services
  The Soldier as the centerpiece of the United States Army is the basic guarantor of
  mission success. As such, the Soldier’s health and physical fitness are vitally
  important. Equally important is the Soldier’s oral and dental health, which if not
  properly maintained can result in becoming nondeployable, and if already deployed,
  can render this Soldier nonmission-capable.
  SECTION I — DENTAL SERVICES PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
  8-1. Preventive dentistry incorporates primary, secondary, and tertiary preventive measures. For more
  information on dental services, refer to AR 40-35 and ATP 4-02.19.
  PREVENTIVE MEASURES
  8-2. Preventive dentistry measures can effectively prevent the development of tooth decay and oral disease.
  The application of fluoride and sealants combined with regular dental checkups and oral screenings can
  prevent tooth decay and identify oral disease at its most treatable stages. Therefore, Soldiers who incorporate
  good preventive dental hygiene practices are far less likely to become dental casualties due to disease while
  deployed.
  PRIMARY TASKS
  8-3. Table 8-1 discusses the primary tasks and purposes of preventive dentistry.
  Table 8-1. Primary tasks and purposes of preventive dentistry
  Primary task Purpose
  Conduct periodic examination of Identify dental deficiencies and recommend follow-up courses of
  Soldiers’ teeth, gums, and jaw action.
  Classify Soldiers’ dental Determine Soldiers dental classification and dental readiness status.
  conditions in the dental
  classification system and
  determine Soldiers’ dental
  readiness status
  Provide training to Soldiers and Provide training/education to Soldiers and unit leaders on identifying
  units on measures to take to dental threats, taking preventive measures to mitigate or eliminate
  mitigate the adverse impact of the dental threat, and ensuring Soldiers are practicing good oral
  dental threats hygiene.
  SECTION II — DENTAL SERVICES TREATMENT ASPECTS
  8-4. The mission of the dental service support system is to promote dental health; prevent and treat oral and
  dental disease; provide far forward dental treatment; provide early treatment of severe oral and maxillofacial
  injuries; and augment medical personnel (as necessary) during mass casualty operations.