US may increase demand for dental services

Started by groundhog
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groundhog

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A large percentage (30) of National Guard Troops were not able to be immediately deployed after being called to active duty for the Iraq conflict due to uncorrected dental problems. Congress is now considering an amendment to the Defense Budget which will fund permanent medical and dental insurance for members of the National Guard and Reserves. Many of those folks do not have dental insurance while in an inactive status and do not go in for annual dental check ups even though standing orders are in effect which require them to do so.
 
groundhog said:
A large percentage (30) of National Guard Troops were not able to be immediately deployed after being called to active duty for the Iraq conflict due to uncorrected dental problems. Congress is now considering an amendment to the Defense Budget which will fund permanent medical and dental insurance for members of the National Guard and Reserves. Many of those folks do not have dental insurance while in an inactive status and do not go in for annual dental check ups even though standing orders are in effect which require them to do so.
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can you kindly post your source for this info?
 
I'm surprised it isn't higher than 30%. When I was in the Navy, everytine the reservist were doing their 2 weeks, they would come in for free dental work cause of their "temporary active duty" status and they had horrible mouths! It became such a problem for our dental company and base cause we had to give up appointments for the regular active duty troops who also needed care. But our hands were tied. Eventually the Base commander would not let them drill unless their private dentists from their home town signed a document stating they had no dental needs and were fit for duty.
 
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Well I guess the amendment got pulled after the donnybrook over the role of women in combat attracted too much attention to the Defense Budget deliberatiions in the House of Representatives.
 
groundhog said:
A large percentage (30) of National Guard Troops were not able to be immediately deployed after being called to active duty for the Iraq conflict due to uncorrected dental problems. Congress is now considering an amendment to the Defense Budget which will fund permanent medical and dental insurance for members of the National Guard and Reserves. Many of those folks do not have dental insurance while in an inactive status and do not go in for annual dental check ups even though standing orders are in effect which require them to do so.
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It probably won't happen. First, it'd be really expensive. Second, they're already working on the problem. I'm in the Navy reserves and true, in the past, member's dental health was not at the top of their priority list, but now, with increasing deployments, medical and dental readiness are harped on every month. The member is responsible for his or her own dental status. The Navy requires an annual check (no work or cleaning). If a problem is discovered, the member has 6 months to get it fixed or is administratively separated.
 
QM1 said:
If a problem is discovered, the member has 6 months to get it fixed or is administratively separated.
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There's a solution for those who just signed up for the college money and want to avoid getting sent to Iraq. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Although they'd lose their college money probably. 👎
 
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