Dental Clinic: Keeping the right people ready

Published May 7, 2013
By Airman 1st Class John D. Partlow
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, Team XL's Dental Operations Flight maintained the highest dental readiness percentage in the entire Air Force.

The clinic kept Laughlin's dental readiness at 99.3 percent throughout the quarter, exemplifying the 47th Flying Training Wing's commitment to deploying mission-ready airmen.

"We were able to keep our readiness level high, because we stay on top of Laughlin members to ensure they make their appointments," said Master Sgt. Deborah Joseph, 47th Medical Operations Squadron flight chief of dental operations. "People can sometimes forget to scheduled appointments, so our reminders are often helpful."

According to Air Force Instruction 47-101, "Managing Air Force Dental Services," service members are required to get their teeth checked once a year to ensure they can readily deploy.

Recent renovations to the dental clinic presented challenges when the dental treatment rooms were reduced to less than half for the first quarter of the 2013 fiscal year.

"The renovations definitely made things difficult, but we were able to accomplish our mission and do it well, because we were dedicated to making sure all patients were seen," said Capt. Jeffrey Welch, 47th MDOS general dentist.

The clinic sees more than 475 patients a month, making it necessary to carefully plan each appointment.

"The reason we stay on top of people to make their appointments is because it is difficult to reschedule," said Melissa Sandoval, 47th MDOS dental assistant. "Above all else, we still make sure we make time for those who need to be seen."

Despite being number one in readiness in the entire Air Force, the dental clinic staff sees room for improvement.
"Our ultimate goal is to always be at 100 percent," said Joseph.