Specialization's effect of deployment

[MrLebowski]

If one were to go into a specialty such as perio or endo through the Navy after graduation, would this result in a less likelihood of being deployed aboard a ship?

I have nothing really against being on a ship, but it would seem that specialists would be more useful in larger settings such as a hospital rather than aboard a frigate or carrier.

Thanks!

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[NAVY DDS 2010]

On an aircraft carrier at least, there are 5 dentists:

1 - Senior dental officer (who can be any type of dentist, but usually a general dentist or Comprehensive dentist)
1 - Oral Surgeon
3 - general dentists

As far as I know, Oral Surgeons are the only ADA approved specialists that go to sea.

If one were to go into a specialty such as perio or endo through the Navy after graduation, would this result in a less likelihood of being deployed aboard a ship?

I have nothing really against being on a ship, but it would seem that specialists would be more useful in larger settings such as a hospital rather than aboard a frigate or carrier.

Thanks!

 

[jim85213]

On an aircraft carrier at least, there are 5 dentists:

1 - Senior dental officer (who can be any type of dentist, but usually a general dentist or Comprehensive dentist)
1 - Oral Surgeon
3 - general dentists

As far as I know, Oral Surgeons are the only ADA approved specialists that go to sea.

Interesting. No endodontists? What happens if there is an endo case while at sea that the GDs can't tackle?

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

Interesting. No endodontists? What happens if there is an endo case while at sea that the GDs can't tackle?

Well, they would handle it kind of like a general dentist on shore would do. Whether they determine before or after attempting to treat the problem, they would do as much as they could for the patient to relieve the pain and any infection until the patient could be referred to an endodontist. Since one of my jobs on our carrier was coordinating medical / dental care ashore while on deployments, I know we had to send out a few people for various dental procedures when we were near (off shore where we had planes flying to and from or when the ship would go pierside or anchor out) military institutions away from our home port. Now, in instances where this just cannot be done, then the dentist would use his/her discretion and treat the patient accordingly. Unfortuately, there may be times where taking a risk is all they can do in hopes of saving the tooth. If a tooth is dilacerated for instance, that is ot of the scope of most people's ability. But, if they feel they might have a chance to save the tooth without extraction, then they may try to save it. Otherwise, that is why we have an Oral Surgeon on board - to finalize the treatment once and for all. The military has changed a lot from WWII. Back then, if a tooth even looked like it was going to be a problem, they extracted it. Now, every attempt possible is given to save a tooth, but in the end, if there is no other option available, an extraction will occur.

 

[jim85213]

Well, they would handle it kind of like a general dentist on shore would do. Whether they determine before or after attempting to treat the problem, they would do as much as they could for the patient to relieve the pain and any infection until the patient could be referred to an endodontist. Since one of my jobs on our carrier was coordinating medical / dental care ashore while on deployments, I know we had to send out a few people for various dental procedures when we were near (off shore where we had planes flying to and from or when the ship would go pierside or anchor out) military institutions away from our home port. Now, in instances where this just cannot be done, then the dentist would use his/her discretion and treat the patient accordingly. Unfortuately, there may be times where taking a risk is all they can do in hopes of saving the tooth. If a tooth is dilacerated for instance, that is ot of the scope of most people's ability. But, if they feel they might have a chance to save the tooth without extraction, then they may try to save it. Otherwise, that is why we have an Oral Surgeon on board - to finalize the treatment once and for all. The military has changed a lot from WWII. Back then, if a tooth even looked like it was going to be a problem, they extracted it. Now, every attempt possible is given to save a tooth, but in the end, if there is no other option available, an extraction will occur.

I figured if all else failed, the OS would do his/her thing. Interesting to know...thanks for the post.

Good to have you back too, Navy DDS 2010.

 

[dheav005]

Since I am sitting in my clinic on a carrier right now, I'll chip in by saying that it isn't unheard of for other boarded specialists to end up on a carrier. It is true that comprehensive guys usually end up on the small boys, but here in a floating city, we also have other specialists. Our ship has a prosthodontist as our senior dental officer and others have had periodontists as their SDOs.

Our OMFS is the last resort as a treatment option for care; I take it as a personal insult if I can't manage an endo case in order to get that shipmate back to the shore for proper specialty care, if indicated. He does do a nice job shuckin' wizzies though.

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

Since I am sitting in my clinic on a carrier right now, I'll chip in by saying that it isn't unheard of for other boarded specialists to end up on a carrier. It is true that comprehensive guys usually end up on the small boys, but here in a floating city, we also have other specialists. Our ship has a prosthodontist as our senior dental officer and others have had periodontists as their SDOs.

Our OMFS is the last resort as a treatment option for care; I take it as a personal insult if I can't manage an endo case in order to get that shipmate back to the shore for proper specialty care, if indicated. He does do a nice job shuckin' wizzies though.

I agree, but the SDO is not necessarily going to be a specialist. Both SDOs our our ship while I was on it were general dentists. It is possible that other specialist may be on carriers, but it is not like they will be made to be there. They will choose those spots when determining the best paths for their own career and where they are able to get stationed considering their families or even a personal desire to go to sea.