Smile! Dental professional’s week is March 7 – 12

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgts. Petra Nelson and Tomeka Jones
  • 49th Medical Group Dental Clinic
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The second week of March has been set aside by the American Dental Association to recognize the dental professionals at the 49th Medical Group's Dental Clinic.

Good oral health and hygiene are important components of physical fitness and combat readiness. The Air Force establishes and maintains comprehensive programs which help ensure maximum readiness by preventing and treating dental diseases.

The dental clinic has many professional dental personnel, including dentists, hygienists, dental technicians and dental laboratory technicians who perform diagnostic, preventative and corrective treatments and procedures to maintain and restore health and function of the teeth and other related structures in the mouth, head and neck.

Dentists are licensed professionals who diagnose and treat problems involving the teeth, gums and mouth. They provide guidance for preventive measures, examine x-rays, fill cavities, extract teeth, perform root canals and write prescriptions for antibiotics and pain relievers. Some practice general dentistry and some specialize in gum diseases, known as periodontics; dental implants and repairs, also called prosthodontics; straightening of teeth, known as orthodontics; preserving teeth with root canal treatments, known as endodontics; surgery in the mouth, face and jaw; and even children's dentistry, which is known as pediodontics.

Dental hygienists provide dental treatments as well. The dental hygienist and dentist work cooperatively in order to meet the oral health needs of patients. Dental hygienists are licensed professionals who provide essential treatment and preventive services including cleaning under and around the teeth and gums, removing built up hard scale that has accumulated, and even performing expanded functions such as the administration of local anesthesia and inhaled sedation gasses.

Dental hygienists are also professional oral health educators because they provide individualized instructions to patients and manage community oral health education and training programs.

The clinic's dental technicians are among the most diversely skilled individuals in the clinic, possessing both interpersonal and administrative skills. The technical skills required include taking and developing X-rays, making impressions and molds, assisting during dental procedures and maintaining the documentation in the dental record.

The dental laboratory technicians' practice is both a science and an art. They work directly with the dentist, and with exacting detail they create dentures, crowns, mouth guards, veneers, retainers and bridges from an assortment of materials such as waxes, stainless steel, plastic alloys, porcelains, composites and even polymer glass. They generate tooth replacements which are attractive and functional for the patient.

In celebration of dental professionals, the dental clinic will be spending time with Holloman's youth at Holloman Elementary, Holloman Middle and the Youth and Teen Center during March to teach them good oral hygiene habits.