CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL ADMINISTRATION AND ORIENTATION

The basic organization of the Department of the Navy (DON) is very important to new members of the Navy. Knowing the organizational structure will help you understand the reasons for certain policies and procedures. The Basic Military Requirements Training Manual (BMR TRAMAN) provides the organizational breakdown and applicable explanations for the Navy. It also includes the basic organizational shipboard elements. The information provided in this chapter complements those organizations that are explained in the BMR. It is highly recommended that you thoroughly understand these organizations before reading the rest of this chapter. With this information you will be able to clearly see how the mission, establishment of the Dental Technician (DT) rating, Navy enlisted classifications, and the organization of the Dental Corps affect your role as a dedicated and professional Navy Dental Technician.

MISSION

The DT rating has a twofold mission. Your primary function is to assist Navy dental officers in providing dental care to personnel of the uniformed services, active duty Navy and Marine Corps, and other persons authorized by law to receive dental treatment. The objective of this dental care is to prevent or remedy diseases, disabilities, and injuries of the teeth, jaws, and related structures, which may directly or indirectly interfere with the operational readiness and the performance of military duties. During combat, mass casualty, or emergency situations at sea or ashore, DTs must, when directed, integrate with medical personnel and perform paramedical assignments. This assistance will include, but not be limited to, aid in the care, treatment, and evacuation of mass casualties in combat or a disaster. Emergency care or treatment that you may provide will include artificial respiration, treatment of shock, control of hemorrhage, bandaging and splinting, cleansing and treatment of wounds, maintenance of patient airway, and preparation of casualties for movement. DTs in an emergency care scenario will be under the direct supervision of the cognizant Navy Medical Corps officer, if present.

Details of casualty care and emergencies are discussed in. later chapters.

ORGANIZATION

The Medical Department of the Navy is composed of the Medical Corps (MC), Dental Corps (DC), Medical Service Corps (MSC), Nurse Corps (NC), the Hospital Corps (HC), and the Dental Technician (DT) rating. As members of the Navy Medical Department, Dental Technicians should be familiar with the responsibilities of the Chief of Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED).

CHIEF OF BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY

The Chief of BUMED is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring personnel and material readiness of shore activities as assigned by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to; developing health care policy and providing primary and technical support of all shore-based treatment facilities and operating forces of the Navy and Marine Corps. The Chief of BUMED is located in Washington, DC, and reports to the CNO. Medical treatment facilities (MTFs) and dental treatment facilities (DTFs) throughout the Navy report to the responsible line commanders (RLCs) and BUMED.

CHIEF OF THE DENTAL CORPS

The Chief of the Dental Corps works directly for the Chief of BUMED and develops, coordinates, evaluates, advises, monitors, and represents the Medical Department on policies, plans, and requirements affecting Navy dental officers. The Chief acts as the Medical Department's spokesperson for all dental professional matters relating to military and civilian counterparts.

DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT ENLISTED PERSONNEL

The Director of Medical Department Enlisted Personnel is the principal advisor to the Chief of BUMED on matters involving enlisted personnel assigned to Navy Medicine. As such, the mission of this office is to advise, assist, centralize, and coordinate policy development and guidance on dental technician matters. Such policies and guidance include career progression, training, distribution, advancement, and employment of DT personnel.

FORCE MASTER CHIEF OF BUMED

The BUMED Force Master Chief is the principal enlisted advisor to the Chief of BUMED. He keeps the Surgeon General advised of existing or potential situations, procedures, and practices that affect the enlisted men and women (Dental Technicians, Hospital Corpsman, and deployable medical systems personnel [DEPMEDS]) of Navy Medicine. The Force Master Chief takes precedence over all other enlisted members within Navy Medicine.

NAVAL DENTAL CENTERS

Naval dental centers (NAVDENCENs or NDCs) are established shore activities that are located throughout the world. They provide comprehensive dental services to Navy and Marine Corps personnel of the operating forces and shore activities, and other authorized personnel in the assigned geographic area as prescribed by title 10, U.S. Code, and other applicable directives. NDCs can be divided into three types based on size and function as shown in figure 1-1.

Naval dental centers will also:

Ensure that all assigned military personnel are both aware of and properly trained for the performance of their contingency and wartime duties.

Ensure that the clinic and its component facilities are maintained in a proper state of material and personnel readiness to fulfill wartime and contingency mission plans.

Conduct appropriate education programs for assigned personnel to ensure both military and dental health. care standards of conduct and performance are achieved and maintained.

Participate as essential elements of the Navy and Triservice Regional Health Care System.

Cooperate with military and civilian authorities in matters pertaining to public health, local disasters, and other emergencies.

Dental Technicians must be able to recognize and know the chain of command where they work. All of the positions in figure l-l work together as a team to efficiently and, effectively operate a naval dental center.

Commanding Officer

The commanding officer (CO) of a naval dental center will be a dental corps officer. The commanding officer is responsible for the professional care and services provided to patients in the clinic and for the safety and well-being of the entire command. The CO is also vested with complete military jurisdiction within the clinic and over those branch dental clinics under his authority.

Executive Officer

The executive officer (XO) of a naval dental center will be a dental corps officer. In the absence of the CO, the XO will assume command. The XO conforms to the policies and orders of the CO and must keep the CO informed of all significant matters pertaining to the command. The XO will be primarily responsible under the CO for the organization, performance of duty, operational readiness, provision of dental care services, training plan, and good order and discipline of the entire command.

Command Master Chief

The command master chief (CM/C) is the senior enlisted adviser to the commanding officer for all matters relating to enlisted policy. The CM/C works with the executive officer in communicating and carrying out command policy. OPNAVINST 1306.2 broadly outlines the authority and responsibilities of the CM/C. General duties of the CM/C include maintaining and promoting effectiveness and efficiency of the chain of command. Serves as principal advisor to the commanding officer on all matters pertaining to welfare, health, job satisfaction, morale, utilization, training of enlisted personnel, and promoting good order and discipline.