Brush, floss, deploy

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Although advancements in technology promote mission readiness, it is the people, both civilian and service members, who ensure members of the Iceman Team at Eielson are ready to prepare, deploy, and enable forces whenever called upon.

Members of 354th Medical Operations Squadron perform their job more efficiently and with more ease in today's Air Force than ever before. New improvements and techniques have launched the Air force forward allowing it to take better care of its service members.

MDOS dental clinic staff members are entrusted to provide each and every patient with the best dental care possible. Services offered guarantee those receiving care are mission ready, but technicians also try to satisfy patients' immediate needs.

"The smallest dental problem in the mouth can stop a person from deploying," said Staff Sgt. Joel Peace, 354th Medical Operations Squadron, dental technician. "It makes me feel good when we are able to fix a problem that would have prevented someone from deploying and doing what they need to do for the mission."

As a dental technician, Sergeant Peace's job is all encompassing to include various duties from administrative tasks, sterilization and patient care to diagnostics and many other tasks that contribute to mission readiness. In addition to all this, he spends a large amount of time interacting with patients.

"From what I've seen so far patients don't know what to expect when they get here, "said Sergeant Peace. "They ask a lot of questions and we're ready to answer those questions to reassure them they are receiving the best care possible."

Patient care can be better achieved as a team effort, often a dentist and a dental technician, who deliver to the patient an experience that is quick and painless. MDOS dental clinic staff members can ultimately tell you that although technology is a great benefit to dentistry it only acts as an aid.

"New technology like digital radiographs or x-rays not only makes our job easier but it also makes for a better patient experience," said Capt. Ross Yost, 354 Medical Operations Squadron, dentist. "When we enlarge the radiographs on our computer monitors, patients will often take interest and ask questions. I think it's more satisfying for the patient when they can be engaged in their dental treatment."

"All Airmen have the possibility of deployment, and our clinic works hard to ensure that no one gets held back due to a non-deployment dental classification," he said.

For over seventeen years Technical Sgt. David Herron, 354th Medical Operations Squadron, Dental Flight NCOIC, has served both in and out of the clinic experiencing the many different aspects of dentistry.

"Service members shouldn't have to worry about getting a toothache in Iraq," said Sergeant Herron. "Because now we have to put them on convoy to get them to the nearest dentist, it is very important that we have everyone ready and a in a good state of health before they get into the field."

It is clear the services offered at Eielson Dental clinic are delivered by dedicated individuals who take their job very seriously and provide the best in patient care to our Airmen.

"The patient is why we are here," said Sergeant Herron. "That's number one. If it wasn't for the patient we wouldn't be here."