JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
When it comes to dental health, the 628th Medical Group dental clinic has got you covered.
Whether you're in for a routine cleaning or surgery, the dental clinic staff are prepared for whatever you throw at them.
"We have well trained general dentists here ready to provide what you need," said Capt. Mary Sorrentino, 628th Aerospace Medicine Squadron general dentist. "We can perform a wide array of procedures to support the requirements for the Air Force."
While the Air Force's general dentists are trained to handle most common procedures such as fillings, crowns and cleanings, there are specialists available who can provide more in depth procedures.
"Some of us are even trained to perform root canals on canines," said Sorrentino. "Military working dogs are considered military members too, so they can't deploy if they can't bite or are in pain."
Providing such quality dental care requires teamwork from different areas of the 628th MDG.
"There's a lot of behind the scenes stuff going on to get the job done," said Sorrentino.
"The dental assistants make sure everything runs smoothly as well as handling the scheduling, room sanitization and assisting in dental operations.
Over at the front desk, the assistants handle charts, dental profiles, deployment statuses and more," said Sorrentino. "It's a stressful job, but they excel at it."
Then you have the instrument sterilization personnel. They sterilize instruments, making sure all the dental tools are ready for the next procedure.
With the instruments ready to go and appointments scheduled, it's time for the dentists to work their magic.
"We must always be on our A-game," said Sorrentino. "Anything less and you'll put a patient in harm's way."
"Being able to provide a service to the people that sacrifice so much is very rewarding. It's one of the best parts about being a military dentist.
"Most people don't enjoy visiting the dentist, but I believe everyone here would do anything to make a patient happy and make the dental procedure and appointment as pleasant as possible," said Sorrentino.
"We strive to provide nothing but the best service, no matter what."