Army - The Soldiers' Newspaper

Col Geoff Stacey presenting a case for a dental identification to the international coroners panel in Bali after the bombing tragedy. Photo provided by Col Stacey

Smile for top dentist

By Cpl Tracy Tillman
COL Geoff Stacey has a lot to smile about – he is officially the ADF’s top ranking fang farrier.

His recent promotion and appointment as Director Defence Force Dentistry means that Col Stacey is the first ARA Dental Officer to achieve this in almost 20 years.

Col Stacey began his career as a private after enlisting with QUR in 1977, while undertaking dental studies at the University of Queensland.

In his last two years at university he applied for and was accepted into the Army’s Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme and was sponsored by the army to complete his dental degree.

Specialising as a prosthodontist, Col Stacey maintains his clinical currency and credibility with a regular clinic at RMC.
He has contributed to scientific journals and written Army’s Field Dentistry Handbook.

In addition to his writing he is also an examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.

During his spare time he has represented the ADF in both rifle and pistol shooting and was the first person to be awarded the Military Biathlon Trophy at the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting.

In addition to the responsibility for routine dental care and preparing personnel for deployment, there are times when the role of the dentist must be extended to cater for those who can never return to duty.

This is the function of the forensic odontologist, a role in which Col Stacey has considerable experience.

“Dental identification is a quick and definite means of identifying a deceased victim when visual or other means are not possible,” he said.

In his capacity as a forensic odontologist, Col Stacey has assisted the State Coroner of NSW since 1993 and was most recently involved with the identification of the Bali Bombing victims, where more than 50 per cent of the victims were identified by dental means.

Although forensic odontology could seem a macabre means of identification, for the families of victims it may be the only means of obtaining peace of mind and closure to an already distressing experience.

Not all forensic work is traumatic – Col Stacey was also involved with the Isurava Ridge Recovery expedition in 2002.

“The best part was experiencing the journey through time, seeing what our forebears must have gone through 60 years ago – they were all heroes.”

As Director Defence Force Dentistry, Col Stacey hopes to attract and recruit more dental officers into the ADF, as well as maintain and promote a high standard of dental health within the services.

“I’ve certainly enjoyed my career, the deployments were a highlight and I’ve done things my civilian counterparts could only dream of doing.”