Past and present Dental Branch members take part in Canberra's Anzac Day march, the first time the RAAF Dental Branch has marched as a separate entity.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the first Dental Officer to enlist in the Royal Australian Air Force.

On June 10, 1927, Flying Officer James Rosenbrock began work at Point Cook. Since then, the Dental Branch has served in several theatres of war, reaching a peak of 243 Dental Officers during World War II, and has a long and proud history in support of Air Force operations.

To celebrate, a reunion of past and present Dental Branch members was held over the Anzac Day weekend in Canberra.

A contingent of 55 Branch members, composed of past and present Dental Officers, Hygienists, Assistants, and Technicians, participated in Canberra's Anzac Day march to mark the anniversary, the first time the RAAF Dental Branch has marched as a separate entity.

The following night, 130 people attended a formal dining-in at Old Parliament House, with Air Commodore Birrer (DGPERS-AF) the guest of honour.

Also present was Navy Captain Tim Maddern (SA-DEN) and Group Captain Amanda Dines (OC HSW), along with representatives of the Army Dental Corps and Navy Dental Branch and several WWII branch veterans.

The proud history of the RAAF Dental Branch was further highlighted at a seminar at the Australian War Memorial on April 27.

The RAAF Air Transportable Dental Unit also held a display in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial, with equipment capable of providing comprehensive dental support at short notice on show.

This equipment boasts several design features that give it a level of portability and suitability for transportation in military aircraft, in contrast to the heavier Army field equipment.

By SQNLDR Barry Smith