Taking care of pearly whites

By Airman BrieAnna StillmanJanuary 23, 2018

Taking care of pearly whites
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Maj. Jamie Smith, 20th Dental Squadron dental flight commander, prepares to perform a wisdom teeth surgery at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 17, 2018. The dental clinic provides a full range of dental services to include cleanings, fi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking care of pearly whites
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Maj. Jamie Smith, 20th Dental Squadron dental flight commander, prepares to numb her patient at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 17, 2018. Taking care of any problems early on will prevent future pain or issues which could prevent Airme... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking care of pearly whites
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Wisdom teeth removed by 20th Dental Squadron (DS) personnel lay on a cloth at the 20th DS on Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 17, 2018. Wisdom teeth are removed because they tend to cause problems once they become fully developed. (U.S. Air Force phot... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking care of pearly whites
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Air Force Maj. Jamie Smith, 20th Dental Squadron dental flight commander, and Airman 1st Class Apryl-Len Cabase, 20th DS dental technician, hold open a patient's mouth to remove his wisdom teeth at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 17, 2018. Most ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The 20th Dental Squadron performs a variety of procedures, from teeth cleaning to wisdom teeth removal on a daily basis at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

The dental clinic makes sure Airmen maintain optimal oral health by giving them the care needed to be deployment ready at any time.

"Dental care is part of overall health care," said Maj. Jamie Smith, 20th Dental Squadron dental flight commander. "If we don't have a healthy mouth we can't have a healthy body."

Taking care of any problems early will prevent pain or issues that may occur in the future affecting an Airman's capability to complete their mission or deploy.

"The experiences I have had with the dental clinic have been great," said Danielle Meagher 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron public health technician. "The staff has always been very knowledgeable and helpful."

Providers from the dental squadron appreciate the work they do with Airmen and their families.

"My favorite part of the job is the Airmen we work with," said Smith. "We have a really excellent patient population and I really enjoy the interactions with them."

The dental clinic recommends an annual check up to keep those teeth pearly white.