U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with the 965th Dental Company, out of Seagoville, Texas, took part in the Global Medic Exercise at Fort McCoy, Aug. 13-26, 2016.
More than 60 military dentists, dental specialists and hygienists with the 965th conducted dental operations during the exercise to improve their procedures in a field or deployed environment.
"[The 965th] has been given scenarios of Soldiers with a broken jaw and teeth, Soldiers having seizures in the chair and even a real experience of fixing a Soldier's braces," said Sgt. Justo Martinez, a 965th dental specialist and Dallas, Texas native.
Martinez describes the field clinic experience as having many similarities as working in non-field settings, but with some specific differences.
"For the most part, we use all the same equipment and dental operations run the same," said Martinez. "However, the hours are longer and we can see different types of dental issues."
"Even with my experience as an oral surgery assistant in my civilian life, proper training is needed because of the differences in the field," said Spc. Billy Dunn, a dental specialist and Dallas, Texas native
Dunn said the most important experience the team should take away from the exercise is ensuring all Soldiers understand the importance of good dental hygiene in and out of the field.
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