The Royal Australian Army Dental Corps contributes to enhancing and maintaining the personnel component of ADF operation and support capabilities by delivering effective and appropriate dental practices and advice to strengthen the ADF, both on operations and in non-operational environments, and at all levels of the organisation. It achieves this through treatment, preventative, restorative and prosthetic, oral hygiene education and ongoing management of ADF personnel's dental health; and effectively managing the delivery of dental services to the ADF.

Did you know?

The Pace Stick - The Royal Regiment of Artillery was the originator of the pace stick. It was used by gunners to ensure correct distances between guns on the battlefield, thus ensuring the appropriate effective fire. The original stick was more like a walking stick, with a silver or ivory knob. It could not be manipulated like the modern pace stick as it only opened like a pair of callipers; the infantry then developed the stick to its present configuration as an aid to drill.

Army Dental Assistants belong to the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps (RAADC). The RAADC is responsible for providing dental health care to Australian Defence Force personnel. The dental care provided focuses on preventive measures to reduce the number of casualties in operations due to dental problems. The Corps is made up of highly trained professionals who are often called upon to work in field conditions, which their civilian counterparts would find daunting.

In both war and peace the Army's dental workers, provide staff for hospitals, support battalions and dental centres.

The Dental Assistant is a soldier highly skilled in dental procedures who provides direct assistance to a Dental Officer, Dental Hygienist or Dental Technician. Progression of Dental Assistants to Dental Hygienist or Dental Technician is not available to part time members.

• Provide chair-side assistance to Dental Officers and Dental Hygienists as directed.
• Prepare dental restorative impression and therapeutic materials for use by the Dental Officer.
• Operate and maintain all dental surgery equipment as directed.
• Process, classify and mount intra-oral radiographs.
• Prepare, interpret and maintain patient records.
• Coordinate and maintain dental appointment system.
• Perform hygiene/sterilisation procedures for surgery, surgery instruments and equipment.Assist with accounting procedures for dental section stores, equipment and materiel.
• Provide assistance to Dental Technician in preparation of models.

Dental Assistants Course: 12 Weeks conducted at HMAS CERBERUS Westernport Victoria.

Dental Assistants are employed throughout Australia.

The Pay Groups for this employment are:

• Den Asst Gde 1 PTE Pay Group 2
• Den Asst Gde 2 PTE-CPL Pay Group 3
• Den Hygienist CPL-SGT Pay Group 4
• Den Supervisor SGT Pay Group 4
• Den Manager WO1 Pay Group 5
• Den Technician CPL-WO1 Pay Group 5

This category's courses meet the requirements for both civilian and military authorities and will make you eligible for:

• Certificate III in Dental Health Work (Dental Assisting) is granted on being assessed as a competent Corporal and to a proficient ARA Private.
• Certificate IV in Dental Health Work (Practice Management) is granted on being assessed as a competent ARA Sergeant.
• Diploma of Dental Health Work (Practice Management) is granted on being assessed as a competent ARA Warrant Officer.

The following accreditation is awarded in addition to those outlined above for work as an Army Dental Hygenist:

• Certificate IV in Dental Health Work (Dental Hygiene) is granted on completion of 12 months as a ARA Dental Hygienist.

Once qualified as ECN 029-2, a Dental Assistant can also elect to advance to ECN 404 Dental Technician. This categories courses meet the requirements for both civilian and military authorities and will make you eligible for:

• Diploma of Dental Technology is granted on being assessed as a competent ARA Corporal.
  
  
• Advanced Diploma of Dental Technology is granted on being assessed as a competent ARA Warrant Officer.