From Wednesday, all general dentistry currently at the Ireland Army Health Clinic will be transferred to the Jordan Dental Clinic, also located at the facility. With the reduction of active duty troops stationed at Fort Knox, the workload for dental providers has decreased and the current number of troops to treat does not justify staffing two clinics.
According to Col. David Ferguson, the commander of the service’s Dental Health Activity, another effect of the lighter workload is that it can reduce dentists’ ability to maintain critical clinical skills. And by moving providers to fill staff shortages in other positions, dental readiness in the winning region can be increased.
“By moving underutilized personnel, we maintain the health of the force and maintain a ready medical force,” he explained. “The consolidation of general dental assets (into) one clinic ensures that the Dental Health Command can more effectively support the Cadet Summer Training and dental needs of the permanent party currently assigned to Fort Knox.”
The general dental department to be transferred from Ireland consists of two general dentists, one registered dentist and several dental assistants. The services they offer include dental exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns and bridges.
“In addition, we will transfer the periodontist currently based in Jordan to the Dental Clinic of Ireland in order to enhance his ability to sedate surgical patients until the renovation works at the Jordan Dental Clinic are completed. The oral surgeon in Ireland will remain in his current position of.” added Ferguson.
The second phase of the downsizing will involve phasing out traditional dental specialties over the next 18 months as those providers leave the military or move to other positions, but at this point Ferguson said he doesn’t expect to lose any of the support staff who are “critical to our success.”
The dental specialties affected are endodontics–root canals. prosthetics including crowns, bridges, dentures, partial dentures. periodontics–gum surgery and oral cavity surgery.
Dental clinics, which treat active duty personnel, will be busy with this transition until the spring, but Ferguson said leadership is fully committed to making sure the changes do not affect patient safety.
“Our entire workforce shares a single focus on identifying potential problems and high-risk situations before they lead to an adverse event,” he added.
Other than seeking care in a new location, patients should see no difference in how their care is delivered unless they are referred to the civilian network for specialty care.
“But it’s important to know that general dentistry will remain at Fort Knox, nothing about that will change,” he explained.
He added that as they lose traditional specialists, patients who need specialized dental work will be referred to civilian in-network specialists through the Tricare Active Duty Dental Program, just as is happening in the medical community. United Concordia is the ADDP administrator for the Department of Defense.
For more information or questions, call (502) 624-3754.
