Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2006/'Fang Bosuns' come to you
Fit to bite - Fit to fight
By WO Peter Kenworthy*
In the last few years there have been huge improvements made to the careers of Dental sailors - 'Fang Bosuns' - and the quality of treatment they provide to ADF personnel.
These sailors are now better qualified (to civilian standards), better paid, have a defined career path with an approved training and are happier in the workplace, which is greatly assisting with retention.
The tri-Service training continuum was initially developed by the RAN, then adopted by the RAAF and ARA - we lead, they follow.
Leading Seaman Emma Sills completed her Senior Dental Assistant course in 2004, was deployed to OP Sumatra Assist in 2005 and is currently the dental hygienist at HMAS Cairns.
"I am confident that the Dental Branch has a career structure that will provide me with the knowledge and experience to assist me in fulfilling my career aspirations in the ADF," she said. "I am constantly being challenged and motivated to realise my full potential. Even as a junior sailor, I know that I will have a positive influence on the Dental Branch now and in the future."
In addition to the improved training, new dental caravans have just been delivered to the Fleet bases, east and west.
These portable dental surgeries have a high quality fit-out, offering the same high standard treatment performed in a fixed surgery at one of the RAN Dental Centres.
The caravans are convenient for the patients as they can be located on the wharf close to ships or towed to remote locations where a number of patients require care, for example to the Tenix Henderson Shipyard in WA.
Improvements have also been made to the deployable equipment, to ensure Fleet Mobile Dental Teams (FMDT) can also provide high level dental care. The new equipment is 'marinised' to improve safety and reliability in the maritime environment. This will improve efficiency, by reducing the treatment time a FMDT will spend on a ship.
This increased dental capability through new training and new equipment provides the best dental care for our personnel, ensuring high Individual Readiness compliance, so deployed personnel don't degrade a ship's ability to accomplish the mission - 'Fit to bite - Fit to fight'.
There is now no excuse not to visit your highly trained local dental team at a convenient location close to you.
- Dental Category Sponsor
