Regional Dental Health Command-Central (DENCOM-C) held a change of command ceremony where Col. George J. Hucal relinquished command of DENCOM-C to Col. Michael L. Roberts at the Old Ironsides Museum, Fort Bliss, June 1.
Hucal, a native of El Paso, Texas, has commanded DENCOM-C since 2013 when DENCOM-C was known as Western Regional Dental Command and will go on to serve as the Director of the Dental Directorate for the U.S. Army Medical Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
"The command has done so much for the patients and their readiness," said Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Tempel, Jr., commanding general, Regional Health Command-Central and Chief of U.S. Army Dental Corps. "When you have a leader that is very focused you get tremendous results."
Under Hucal's leadership, DENCOM-C supported over 150,000 Soldiers across 21 states increasing the region's dental readiness from 94 percent to 97 percent.
"The crucial strength of (DENCOM-C) is giving our (DENTAC) commanders the latitude to create opportunities in real time and exploit advantages," said Hucal. "The commanders (of DENTACs) have stepped up and delivered and will continue to deliver."
Roberts is joining DENCOM-C after serving as the senior executive fellow for the U.S. Army Dental Directorate.
"I'm very excited and ready to assume this position; it's a great responsibility," said Roberts. "My leadership and personal philosophy is very simple: I'm a Soldier first and dental professional second."
DENCOM-C is one of four regional dental commands in the Army which oversees the day-to-day operations of 11 Dental Activities delivering dental care to 12 Army and Joint installations west of the Mississippi River. U.S. DENCOM-C provides warrior focused oral health care with an exceptional team of professionals, dedicated to excellence and unified in service.
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