You may have noticed I haven't put up as much about things we did in the clinic - it's because now that I'm there everyday I don't think as much about getting pictures of things that come along. Also it is because it seems like by the time I get patients seen and records written up - it's time to go. So here are some cases I saw last week - part 2. This patient had had a root canal done several years ago, but they began to experience pain and swelling...read more

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You may have noticed I haven't put up as much about things we did in the clinic - it's because now that I'm there everyday I don't think as much about getting pictures of things that come along. Also it is because it seems like by the time I get patients seen and records written up - it's time to go. So here are some cases I saw last week. We frequently see Soldiers who are coming through mobilizing or demobilizing from assignments. This was a...read more

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We recently had the change of command for the North Atlantic Regional Dental Command. COL Priscilla Hamilton our outgoing regional commander (and new incoming DENCOM commander) was replaced by COL Rob Tempel. I had actually recorded the ceremony, but unfortunately in the uploading stage of things the file became corrupted. However, I still got some photographs of the ceremony. COL(P) Ted Wong the next Dental Corps general was present for the ceremony also. For...read more

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I had a chance to head to Indiana Thursday and Friday to speak to the new incoming freshman class. They had the freshman split into 2 groups over those 2 days during orientation, so we spoke to half on one day, and the other half on the other day. Other than delays at the airport both coming and going, things went really well. I had a chance to meet the new dean Dr. John Williams that seemed like a great guy. He just came from the University of North Carolina....read more

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I don't recall if I've mentioned it before, but it is not uncommon to get the day before or after a federal holiday off as well. The 2nd of July was no exception. We had the day off, and my family and I put it to good use. We took a trip into DC to go and visit Madame Tussauds wax museum. With the 30 days annual leave, 10 federal holidays, and additional training holidays - you can have 40+ days off a year :) Wife and kids with George Washington. My...read more

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There are a lot of tough jobs in the Army, but recruiting is one of those that seems especially demanding (if you are doing it right). Army recruiters are in a whole different world then most Soldiers. They are expected to do a job, meet their goals, do it well, and do it without a lot of oversight. Over the past 6 years I have met and worked with (and on - as patients) a lot of Army recruiters - both health care recruiters and regular recruiters. I hear stories...read more

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It has now been a full week since I have been in the clinic. There has definitely been some adjustment, but it "feels natural". I made a conscious decision to do PT with the unit. It's not required of the dental officers, but it's something I think is important - not just to keep me motivated, but I think it improves unit cohesion. CPT Heather Johnson is my hero. She was doing morning PT with the unit while working for the Army as a civilian...read more

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We recently had junior officer week in Washington DC. 9 officers were selected by their commands to attend. We had 1 dental officer from each dental region, 1 reserve dental officer, 1 national guard dental officer, and 1 FORSCOM dental officer. The week began with a day of lectures. I know that's not your normal idea of a great time, but it was the topics, and presenters that made it special. The day began with the deputy surgeon general Major...read more

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Even though I am only changing job locations locally, I thought it might be interesting to write about what occurs when you move to a new location. Moving in the Army is called a PCS (Permenant Change of Station). When things work correctly you should have a feel for when a move will be coming. In the Dental Corps this will occur at the end of a special assignment (specialty training, internship, special job, etc...) or every 3-4 years. About 3-4 months out you will...read more

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I haven't been blogging for a little bit because I was waiting for some pictures of some recent events we did. Haven't gotten them yet, and I'm not sure when I will so I will post some other items. I am in my last days at the Surgeon General's Office. My replacement LTC Vesna Ele has arrived, and we have been going over her responsibilities. She is an oral surgeon coming from Landstuhl, Germany. I will be moving down to Ft. Belvoir doing...read more

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