DODMERB and Dental Exams
Q: Does DODMERB do dental exams?
A: Not any longer.
Braces
Q: Do Accepted Candidates show up on R-Day with braces on their teeth and is this OK?
A: Yes to both aspects of the question. However, the USMA Orthodontist would have to look at the files for
those candidates with braces. He does not recommend a senior just getting
braces. If someone had been in treatment for a few years, he would
be willing to work with them.
Dental Care for Accepted Candidates
Q: In the Instructions for Candidates Offered Admission Class of 2007
it discusses Dental Care and states that candidates are to bring the dental
X-rays that DoDMEERB sent them to West Point on R Day. My son insists that
he did not have a dental exam when given all of the medical/vision/hearing
exams during the application process. Thus, we do not have any X-rays. He
contacted a friend who went through the same routine of DoDMERB exams and
his friend said he didn't have a dental exam or X-rays taken either.
I then
contacted a friend whose son is class of 2008 and he said that his son
definitely had the exam as part of the DoDMERB exams that were given during
the application process. Did other members of the class of 2007 have these
exams, and we just got left out or didn't get the orders to have the X-rays
taken?
A: The dental exam was eliminated after the class of '06. My current cadet
('05) was scheduled for it but my second son, an '07 candidate like yours,
was not. He thought something was wrong and contacted DoDMERB...they
informed him of the change.
Not sure why the change except it may have
something to do with the costs for this procedure (x M's) vs. the real
benefits of the exam ... since academy applicants are generally some of the top
achievers, good grades, well rounded/balanced, etc., they've also probably
had pretty good dental habits during their lives, without many problems.
Just my guess. I would think the booklet instructions re: bringing X-rays
were just not updated in time for this year's class.
If you're still in doubt or
have further questions, have your candidate contact their Admissions Regional
Commander, Liaison Officer, Field Rep. or USMA Admissions.
A: A parent noted that in the Instructions to Candidates that was
received by their son/daughter the directions stated to bring the dental
records provided by DODMERB. In response to the query "What dental records"
another parent stated that DODMERB had informed his son that dental
examinations were no longer done as part of the Medical Examination - only
the medical examination and an eye examination.
This response is correct - technically. USMA and DODMERB came to an
agreement to streamline the medical procedures done as part of the
Admissions Process, and tests such as the EKG and dental exams were no
longer to be routinely done .... HOWEVER, for whatever reason (perhaps the
medicals were scheduled before the agreement was finalized and fully
executed, or ..... or .....) SOME candidates did have dental examinations.
Accordingly, the reference in the Instructions to Candidates is ONLY talking
to them .... if they were among the few hapless souls to have the distinction
of being among the last to have dental examinations, they should bring along
those X-rays. It was not a typo or error in printing .... it was a message
sent out to the thousand that will apply to the very few .....
USMA is continually working with DODMERB to streamline the medical process
and make it more user friendly .... As our wonderful moderator can attest, the
process is a great deal different than when our '04s underwent this test of
intestinal fortitude and determination to see the process through!
Wisdom Teeth
Q: My son had originally heard (heresay) that all cadets have their wisdom teeth removed when they get to West Point. He later heard (again heresay) that the rules had changed, and they don't automatically pull them. Our family dentist has recommended that (if no complications) one keep their wisdom teeth until age 23 to 25. Does anyone know the "official" policy, if there is one, in this area?
A: You will receive a letter from the Dental Commander at West Point, if
you haven't already gotten it which will ask for X-Rays and state words
to the effect that a candidate with erupted or impacted wisdom teeth
should have them removed before arriving on R-Day. I just went through
this drill with a local candidate and we addressed the tradeoffs of
having his impacted wisdom teeth taken out here or at the Academy. We
concluded that he was better off having them removed before going to the
Academy in an environment of TLC and excuse from going to class etc., as
opposed to the hard nosed West Point approach.
Q: My son has zero problem with his wisdom teeth and his
dentist really does not want to take them out per his
dental visit Monday. Is West Point really going to
make him take them out??
A: Although there is no real way for parents to know the official policy, I really doubt that they remove all cadet's wisdom teeth. Our cadet, 2003, had to have his out before he left for R-Day. It was a requirement for him to attend. He had X-rays just 8 months prior to the ones done for his DODMERB physical in 1999 and there was only a caution from the dentist to have another X-ray done in 12 to 18 months or so to keep an eye on them.
We are thankful for the DODMERB communication about our son's wisdom teeth. When the dental surgeon saw the new x-rays he was surprised. There was a significant change that he not would have thought would have happened in an 8 month time frame. If we had waited a year or more, our cadet could have had some more serious issues with the nerve in his jaw because the roots of the wisdom teeth were trying to grow around the nerve.
We know many cadets with their wisdom teeth. I am sure that the Army will keep an eye on them though, as they would not want them to develop a painful problem in the future, possibly while deployed.
Can you imagine dealing with painful impacted wisdom teeth right now while trying to do your job in Iraq!!
A: For 2007, almost all candidates did not have DoDMERB dental exams as it was
removed as a requirement. After the candidate accepts an appointment, it
triggers a letter from West Point, Saunders Dental Clinic, where the
candidate is asked to provide a Dental Report on their form and radiographs
to include Bite-Wing and Panorex X-rays.
These are reviewed by USMA and
based upon the review the candidate gets a letter stating that you satisfy
the dental requirements; that they cannot tell from the radiographs
submitted whether you satisfy the requirements and asking for new ones to be
submitted; or that you do not satisfy them and require 1) a conclusion of
active orthodontia before R-day and requiring a letter from the Orthodontist
assuring braces will be removed prior to then; 2) active decay must be
treated and a letter from your dentist verifying this has been done; and/or
3) a pathological condition including wisdom teeth and/or jaw tumors must
have corrective treatment and a letter from your dentist verifying
treatment.
If your dentist does not believe the wisdom teeth constitute a pathological
condition and does not advise removal, then you may wish to await further
direction from USMA after they have reviewed the radiographs.
A: Apparently, the
new procedure calls for you to forward dental x-rays when notified. The
Dental Clinic at USMA will review them and make recommendations based upon
that review. I'm not aware of any policy stating candidates have to get
their wisdom teeth pulled before reporting. As some have already posted,
there are a number of cadets with wisdom teeth intact.
A: The letter from the Dental Surgeon at West Point that was sent to one of
my candidates, who had been accepted at the Academy, stated that if a
candidate had erupted or impacted wisdom teeth, they had to be removed
or the cadet could be disqualified for admission. Needless to say the
letter caused a bit of trauma to the recipient and his family since this
young man had two impacted wisdom teeth. His local dental surgeon
didn't think they needed to be removed for a year or so but would do the
job. The family after discussing it with me (and after I had spoken with
the Minority Outreach Officer) decided to have the teeth removed now,
while the candidate could receive some TLC at home,
rather than having them out at West Point.
