Effect of new technologies in the training and utilization of dental auxiliaries in the US Army

The combat strength, readiness, and effectiveness of the US Army is dependent, in part, upon the health of the American soldier. The conservation of his oral health is the mission of the Army Dental Corps. Confronted with steadfast mission requirements, increasing demands for dental services, and a reduction of professional staff, the Corps has responded to challenge with the implementation of an alternative to the limitations of established and traditional concepts of practice. In 1972, the Army Dental Corps introduced a new system of care delivery, based upon the expanded utilization of its auxiliary personnel and the team mode of practice. In a six year period, approximately 900 expanded duty auxiliaries, known in the Army as Dental Therapy Assistants, or DTA's were to be trained to extend professional capability to the performance of a variety of reversible dental procedures. They were to operate as members of care delivery teams, and to perform their expanded functions only upon the direction and under the supervision of the responsible team dental officer. To date, more than 500 DTA's comprize this new para-professional force, with more than 300 trained and operationally employed. Interim assessments of this endeavor have confirmed the antecedent research, which identified the impressive potential of Team Dentistry. DTA's have been trained to perform previously professional dental functions to a professional standard of quality; their proper team utilization returns a marked increase in professional capability, enabling the delivery of a greater number of dental services to more of the patient community; and their expanded role in care delivery has been well received by both the patient and the professional. Team Dentistry and the expanded duty auxiliary have added a new dimension to dental care delivery, as well as a promising route to mission accomplishment by the Army Dental Corps.