US Naval Hospital Corps School - Yearbook (San Diego, CA)

Page 84 text:

requires full dentures. Modern techniques in this field permit the fabrication of natural-looking dentures with a great de- gree of masticating efficiency. Sometimes, one of the Iront false teeth in an artificial denture is intentionally stained, or a gold filling may be placed in it, so as to resemble one of the patient's natural teeth, and thereby retain the natural appearance of the artificial denture. The prosthodontist and his team of dental prosthetic technicians are specialists in the art of replacing missing teeth. Many new and specialized techniques in modern dentistry have dictated the need for post graduate study, further train- ing and experience-so that today the Mall around dentist is becoming as rare as is the all around surgeonf' Dentistry has been required to provide specialists such as oral surgeons, prosthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, and orthodontists -to treat particular dental problems that frequently require more than the usual knowledge of dentistry. All such spe- cialists fexcept orthodontistsl are available within the Naval Service-and more specifically, within this hospital. Every year, two dental interns and one oral surgery resi- dent receive training within the Dental Service of this com- mand. The interns are recent graduates of dental schools and have been licensed to practice dentistry in one or more of the States of this country. They receive this intern training so as to better prepare themselves to provide the best pos- sible dental services for members of the Armed Forces. The oral surgery resident is an experienced dentist undergoing extensive training for ultimate specialization and certifica- tion by the American Board of Oral Surgery. It is generally agreed that the best dentistry in the world is practiced in the United States, and the U. S. Naval Dental Service is highly respected by civilian, component societies of the American Dental Association. Every effort is exerted toward providing the best possible dental care for members of the Armed Forces-and the soldier, sailor, marine and airman can get this service from the combined efforts of dental officers and their dental technicians stationed with our troops throughout the world. CAPTAIN ALLAN S. CHRISMAN, MC, USN, inspects Dental Service facilities. DENTAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION SECTION: E.. C. Nicholson, DTg K. E. Rupp, DTC. 80 SICK CALL-DENTAL SURGERY: Lieut. Mary P. Molloy, NC, I. S. Quintalig, DT2g Captain Theodore A. Lesney, DC.

Page 83 text:

DE TAL ERVICE The Dental Service is an integral component of the hospital command. It is headed by the Chief of the Dental Service who is a board-certified oral surgeon with teaching experience. The officer-staff comprises an allowance of eight dental officers, all of whom are experienced, regular Navy, career dentists. The enlisted-staff includes a chief petty officer and a crew of fifteen trained dental technicians. Four members of this crew are qualified as dental prosthetic technicians, and they are the skilled laboratory technicians who fabricate varied types of dental appliances. All phases of dentistry excepting orthodontia fustraighten- ing of teethwl are practiced in the Dental Service. Teeth are filled when required with precious metals, semi-precious metals, or plastic materials as best indicated to meet the individual need. Hopelessly degenerated teeth are removed under local or general anesthesia. Missing teeth are replaced by bridgework, partial dentures or full dentures. All dental technicians receive particular instruction in providing oral prophylaxis fucleaning teethvj. This service is given by the dental technician under the supervision of the doctor. ln addition to assisting the doctor during dental operation, dental technicians take X-ray exposures and process the films for the doctor,s examination. One of the busy branches of the Dental Service in a large hospital, like this, is oral surgery. This department provides for the extraction of teeth and for the surgical care of varied diseases of the mouth. Also, a large number of fractured jaw- bones are treated here over a year's time. It is not unusual to see from 20 to 25 fractured jaw cases in the dental Ward at all times. Specialists with particular training in oral surgery are assigned to this department. The major objective of dentistry is to salvage teeth. Some- times this is done by simply filling a tooth after all of the decay has been thoroughly removed. But at other times, when dental decay is markedly advanced, it may be necessary to devitalize the tooth Curemove the nervewl in order to save the tooth before filling it. Salvaging such dead teethv for Q. CAPTAIN THEODORE A. LESNEY, DC, USN Chief, Dental Service many years of normal usage is a specialty of dentistry known as Endodontics. Since some teeth are lost from diseases involving the gum tissues, rather than from decay, specialized care is required in efforts at saving such teeth. This specialty within dentistry is called Periodontia, and the periodontist treats upyorrheav and such other dental diseases as cause teeth to become loose. Hackneyed expressions like 'fthe teeth are OK but the gums have gotta gofi are not wholly without truth. Often- times, the periodontist does find it necessary to remove chronically diseased gum tissue in order to prevent the loss of bone that holds the teeth firmly in place. Most human beings lose some or many of their teeth throughout a lifetime. If only a few teeth are lost, it may be possible to span such a space with a dental Hbridgef' Dental bridgework is time consuming and it is an exact technical science. lf several, but not all, teeth are lost, it may be possible to replace the missing teeth with partial dentures. Such ap- pliances are remarkably comfortable and are retained in position through clasps that engage some of the remaining sound and functional teeth. Of course, when all of the teeth have been lost, the patient

Page 85 text:

Miller, DC. PROSTHETIC LABORATORY: R. C. Fisher, DN: Captain John W. ORAL SURGERY SERVICE: S. J. Neighbors, DN, B. Staley, DT2g Captain Harold W. Feder, DC. Wm.. Lil DENTAL OFFICE FOR TREATMENT OF PATIENTS FROM PROSTHETIC UNIT: R. C. Fisher, DN, Lieut. Marvin Molacek. DC. CHEST SERVICE: Comdr. E. Schnoebelen, DC, E. D. Bagley, DNg R. E. Gillette, AT1 fpatientJ. ! 55 OPERATIVE SECTION: F. A. Kroll, DN, Lieut. Kenton T. Brad- ley, DC. BRIDCEWORK AND CROWNS: E. O. Spurlin, DT3g Lieut. Robert E. Shirley, DC. 8I