Arkansas has become the fourth state in the nation to have National Guard dentists provide direct medical care to National Guard members.
The new Camp Joseph T. Robinson Dental Clinic officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 8th. The clinic is designed to provide dental services to soldiers during exercises or annual training.
According to officials, the National Guard’s dental readiness program focuses on three aspects of oral health. All soldiers must undergo an annual dental exam to determine their Dental Readiness Level (DRC) 1, 2, or 3.
Soldiers with DRC 1 or 2 are considered deployable within 12 months.
Soldiers with DRC 3 may require procedures such as cleanings, fillings, or simple extractions, which can be performed at the new Camp Robinson clinic.
More complex treatments, including root canals or wisdom tooth extractions, will be performed at designated civilian clinics through the National Guard’s paid dental program.
The facility is expected to serve 15 to 20 soldiers daily.
“This is a major advancement for the Arkansas National Guard,” said Colonel Clint Miller, commander of the National Guard Medical Command. “The dental center not only expands our care capabilities but also features state-of-the-art equipment comparable to many civilian clinics.”
Officials noted that the initial investment in equipment and operating supplies to launch the clinic was approximately $250,000.