Rough Riders all smiles in Southern Iraq

By 1st Lt. Eileen White, 27th BSB, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div.May 9, 2009

Capt. Daniel Roberts, an Army dentist, and Spc. Dan Curry, a dental hygienist, both from the 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, remove four impacted wisdom teeth from a Long Knife Brigade Soldier. The...
Capt. Daniel Roberts, an Army dentist, and Spc. Dan Curry, a dental hygienist, both from the 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, remove four impacted wisdom teeth from a Long Knife Brigade Soldier. The denta... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Capt. Daniel Roberts is the man that relieves Long Knife Brigade Soldiers of horrible pain.

Roberts, the brigade's dentist from Grand Rapids, Mich., and his dental assistant Spc. Dan Curry, from Meridian, Miss., operate in southern Iraqi to provide emergency and routine dental care to Long Knife Soldiers.

The dental duo are assigned to Company C., 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and support other troops stationed at COB Adder and the outlaying bases.

Although Roberts in the unit's lone dentist, he works alongside the 464th Dental Company's personnel stationed here. The base has a modern dental clinic, which can facilitate the majority of dental work that Soldiers can receive back in the United States.

The Rough Rider dental team, combined with the 464th's personnel, treats all coalition forces stationed here, including State Department representatives, American contractors, international contractors whom may require assistance.

The dental specialists also receive help from nurse and anesthetists from the 10th Combat Support Hospital, who provide sedation for the patients.