DENTAL DEPARTMENT HEAD

The head of the dental department of a ship is designated the "dental officer." He or she is usually the senior dental officer on board. The type or class of ship will determine how many other dentists are assigned to the department. They could be general dentists or specialty providers (oral surgeon, prosthodontist, and so forth). The primary responsibility of the dental department head is to maintain the dental health of all personnel assigned to the ship and personnel attached to squadrons, ships in the battle group, staffs, and any other units dependent upon the dental department for dental care.

If a ship has more than one dentist, the department head may appoint a dentist on board as a division officer to assist him or her with administrative duties and the supervision of the enlisted personnel.

ENLISTED DENTAL PERSONNEL

Enli sted dental personnel assigned to the dental department of a ship serve as technical assistants to the dental officer. The type or class of ship that you serve on will determine how many and what type of Navy Enlisted Classification Codes (NECs) enlisted dental personnel will have to support the dental department. These classifications are discussed in this volume, chapter 1, "General Administration and Orientation."

Leading Chief or Senior Chief Petty Officer

Depending on the structure of the manning for a specific class ship, your dental department may have a leading chief petty officer (LCPO) or senior chief petty officer (SCPO) assigned. His or her responsibilities are for the smooth and efficient operation of the dental department and the supervision of enlisted personnel.

Leading Petty Officer

In the absence of an LCPO billet, many of the smaller class ships will have a Dental Technician Second Class or First Class Petty Officer in charge of the dental department. Most leading petty officers (LPOs) carry the NEC DT-8703, Dental Technician, Administration. The responsibilities are similar to an LCPO.

Dental Assistants

Dental assistants are junior Dental Technicians (E-1 through E-4) who perform a variety of shipboard and professional duties. They have graduated from Dental Technician "A" school and are classified as a DT-0000. Dental assistants' duties may include: preventive maintenance, the ship's 3-M program, assignment to a battle dressing station (BDS), and assisting the medical department in the treatment of casualties. In addition, the dental assistants assist the dental officers in dental procedures, performing oral prophylaxis, radiology, and supply and dental administration. Next we will discuss the different classes of ships that have dental departments.

SHIPS WITH DENTAL DEPARTMENTS

Table 12-1 is a list of the different types of ships that have dental departments. Some ships have one dental officer and two to three Dental Technicians assigned, while larger ships may have two to four dental officers with 4 to 13 Dental Technicians assigned.

The above manning numbers represent the ship's basic allowance (BA) for Dental Technicians. Please note that the Hospital ship has only 1 Dental Technician assigned as permanent ship's company (1

Table 12-1.\Different types of ships

DT-8703). The other Dental Technicians, when assigned to a United States Naval Ship (USNS), represent mobilization manning. Mobilization personnel are assigned from shore-based Naval Dental Clinics and report to the (USNS) on temporary additional duty (TAD).

The permanent assignment of a dental hygienist DT-8708 to the fleet will occur when manning levels are established for designated ships having billets authorized.