Filling you in on military dentistry
Career to sink your teeth in to
Filling you in on military dentistry
Kenn Oliver
The Labradorian
Early 17th century newspaper editor and journalist George D. Prentice once said, “A dentist at work in his vocation always looks down in the mouth.”
That might be true of some private dentists, but for the members of the Canadian Forces Dental Services (CFDS), there’s not much to be down about.
“In the military, we have no worries,” says Sergeant Roger Denault, a dental technician with 5 Wing’s CFDS.
“On civi-street, it’s very stressful. If you open up a clinic with two chairs and one hygienist, you’re looking at half a million dollars to get started, then you have got to get your patient load. Now 70 to 75 per cent of your income coming in is to run your clinic. So guess what, the stress is that you’re there to make money.”
In the military, the chief concern is dentistry.
While the life of a dental assistant may not be looked upon as the most glamorous or exciting trade in the Forces, fellow dental assistant Corporal Krista Blizzard says the job has its own unique appeal.
“I’m always going somewhere, I’m never here,” she says jokingly.
“I’m always moving around and being sent on courses, I love my job and I love having somebody in the chair, for me it’s social time. The poor thing, he’s stuck in the chair and can’t say anything and I’m doing all the talking.”
The unit’s official commander for instance, who was not available to speak with the Labradorian last week, is set to depart on a five-week humanitarian mission to the Philippines. On the voyage – a co-operative program with their American counterparts – Capt. Doucette will make stops at a number of little islands and perform basic dentistry for the inhabitants.
“It’s a once in a lifetime trip,” says Cpl. Blizzard, “I’m very jealous.”
Soldier first
All jokes aside, the role of the CFDS is crucial in Canada’s military.
http://www.thelabradorian.ca/index.cfm?iid=2530&sid=21622
Filling you in on military dentistry
Kenn Oliver
The Labradorian
Early 17th century newspaper editor and journalist George D. Prentice once said, “A dentist at work in his vocation always looks down in the mouth.”
That might be true of some private dentists, but for the members of the Canadian Forces Dental Services (CFDS), there’s not much to be down about.
“In the military, we have no worries,” says Sergeant Roger Denault, a dental technician with 5 Wing’s CFDS.
“On civi-street, it’s very stressful. If you open up a clinic with two chairs and one hygienist, you’re looking at half a million dollars to get started, then you have got to get your patient load. Now 70 to 75 per cent of your income coming in is to run your clinic. So guess what, the stress is that you’re there to make money.”
In the military, the chief concern is dentistry.
While the life of a dental assistant may not be looked upon as the most glamorous or exciting trade in the Forces, fellow dental assistant Corporal Krista Blizzard says the job has its own unique appeal.
“I’m always going somewhere, I’m never here,” she says jokingly.
“I’m always moving around and being sent on courses, I love my job and I love having somebody in the chair, for me it’s social time. The poor thing, he’s stuck in the chair and can’t say anything and I’m doing all the talking.”
The unit’s official commander for instance, who was not available to speak with the Labradorian last week, is set to depart on a five-week humanitarian mission to the Philippines. On the voyage – a co-operative program with their American counterparts – Capt. Doucette will make stops at a number of little islands and perform basic dentistry for the inhabitants.
“It’s a once in a lifetime trip,” says Cpl. Blizzard, “I’m very jealous.”
Soldier first
All jokes aside, the role of the CFDS is crucial in Canada’s military.
http://www.thelabradorian.ca/index.cfm?iid=2530&sid=21622
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