HIARNG Dental

1 in 5 reported non-battlefield injuries on deployment are dental related issues.

Proper oral hygiene is important for service members (SM) because dental neglect can cause:

  • Decline in duty performance
  • Lack of concentration
  • Work loss
  • Restricted activity
  • Difficulty eating
  • Trouble speaking correctly
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Unbearable pain

All these results will negatively impact a unit’s mission and capabilities.

Hawaii Army National Guard Maj. Aaron Colby, right, a general dentist assigned to Charlie Company, Medical Detachment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and surgeon cell, Task Force Maui, Hawaii National Guard Joint Task Force-50 (HING JTF-50), conducts a dental exam on Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster, a mass communications specialist and platoon sergeant assigned to 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, HING JTF-50, during the annual periodic health assessment in Lahaina, Maui, Oct. 14, 2023. In support of Maui County authorities, HING JTF-50, composed of the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard, is dedicated to the safety and recovery of affected Maui residents, coordinating with local first responders and adhering strictly to local, state and federal guidelines and laws. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Lianne M. Hirano)

Oral health does not only impact the mouth. It can lead to other chronic health issues that can take SMs out of the fight. These include cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Ways to improve your oral health include:

  • Brush with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes, twice a day.
  • Clean between teeth daily by flossing.
  • Visit your dentist at least twice a year. (Once a year is the military standard)
  • Avoid smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes.
  • Avoid refined sugars in sweets, candy, and energy drinks.
  • Maintain a healthy diet. Include fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy such as cheese and yogurt, and lean protein such as chicken and fish into your meals.
  • Drink water

Dental Readiness Classification

A Dental Readiness Classification (DRC) is given to all service members (SM) based on what their current dental status is and their readiness to deploy.

Why being DRC 3 is significant and why it affects the fighting force?

There are four categories of DRC. These categories are as follows:

DRC 1

SM has a current dental exam and doesn’t require any additional treatment or re-evaluation.

DRC 1 is ready to deploy.

DRC 3

SM requires urgent or emergency dental treatment. The SM is more likely to experience a dental emergency within one year.

Treatment Includes: Moderate to large cavities or tooth fractures, fractured fillings that cannot be maintained by patient, uncontrolled gum disease, abscessed teeth, teeth that require root canals, lesions requiring biopsy.

DRC 3 is NOT ready to deploy.

DRC 2

SM has a current dental exam and requires non-urgent dental treatment or re-evaluation for oral conditions which are unlikely to result in a dental emergency within one year.

Treatment Includes: Dental cleanings, periodontal maintenance, treatment for minor cavities or minor fractured teeth, active orthodontic treatment, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in remission.

DRC 2 is ready to deploy.

DRC 4

SM is delinquent and requires dental exam or the dental classification status is unknown.

DRC 4 is NOT ready to deploy.

How is DRC resolved?

Here are some examples of tooth conditions that categorize you as DRC3:

  • A large cavity that requires a filling.
  • A medium to large size broken filling or tooth.
  • A tooth with pain or an abscess that requires a root canal procedure. A tooth needing a root canal will also be DRC3 for a filling as well.
  • A tooth that cannot be saved because it is too far broken down and requires to be extracted.
  • Moderate to severe gum disease causing loose teeth that require extraction or a deep cleaning.

DRC3 is resolved once all treatment is completed. This includes having the cavities filled, fractured fillings replaced, moderate to severe gum disease treated with scaling, root canals completed, bad teeth extracted, and lesions biopsied and proven to be harmless.

How do you clear yourself from being DRC 3?

Make an appointment with your civilian dentist to get the specific work that you need done. Upon completion, have your dentist sign a DD2813 form to indicate that the critical DRC 3 work had been completed. Please note that all work does not need to be completed, just the DRC 3 work.

How are DRC 3 teeth identified?

During the annual Periodic Health Assessments (PHA) HIARNG dentists will identify any issues they see, and a dental tech will input the status into the MEDCHART system that reports to MEDPROS.

I’ve been identified as DRC 3 at PHA, now what?

During the PHA, you will see a HIARNG Care Coordinator (a civilian contractor) to take care of the dental issue and become deployable! They will 1) guide you through the insurance and financial aspect of care and 2) provide you with the paperwork needed to clear. They also have the HIARNG State Dental Officer to help navigate you through care.

It is the job of the SM to schedule an appointment with their dental provider, to get dental issue taken care of to remain in a deployable DRC.

How to Pay for Dental Care?

For a Guardsmen, the responsibility of finding and paying for care is up to the Guardsmen him/herself. Healthcare is always a cash business. If the SM has access to their own personal dental insurance, they are highly encouraged to use it.

What If I don’t have insurance?

In some instances, a SM may not have access to dental insurance, either by having an employer who doesn’t offer it or possibly not having civilian employment at all. There are a few alternatives:

Hawaii Quest (Medicaid Fee-For-Service Program)

This is a “safety net” dental coverage for those who fall below a certain income threshold. Proof of income to qualify is necessary to enroll. Dental services are provided by dentists who are enrolled to see Medicaid patients. You can call the Community Case Management Corp to find a dentist who accepts Medicaid:

  • Oʻahu: 808-792-1070
  • Neighbor Islands: 1-888-792-1070 toll-free

If you’re age 21 or older, effective 1/1/2023, your coverage includes:

  • Preventative Services
  • Diagnostic and Radiology Services
  • Endodontic Therapy Services
  • Restorative Services
  • Oral Surgery
  • Periodontal Therapy Services
  • Prosthodontic Services
  • Emergency and Palliative Treatment

To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Hawaii and meet all the following:

  • Either 18 years of age and under or a primary care giver with a child(ren) 18 years of age and under.
  • A U.S. Citizen, National, or a Non-Citizen legally admitted into the U.S.
  • Uninsured (and ineligible for Medicaid).

To apply please follow the link: https://medical.mybenefits.hawaii.gov/home.html

Private Insurance (through civilian employer or family member):

Please contact your private insurance provider to understand what is covered. If a SM has private dental insurance, this is the first method they should use to cover dental expenses.

TRICARE Reserve Select – TRICARE Dental Program:

National Guard members qualify for the Tricare Dental Program (TDP) under Tricare Reserve Select. This dental program is done through United Concordia. This is similar to having dental insurance through a civilian employer. Enrollment can be done online, phone or through the mail. The current approximate cost is $15/month that comes out of your drill pay for $1500 in coverage/year.

Online:

  • Go to https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/
  • Click “Log On” at the top of page.
  • A Department of Defense Self-Service Login (DS Login) or Common Access Card (CAC) is needed.
  • Select the “Dental” tab to enroll in a dental plan.

        Phone:

        • CONUS: 844-653-4061
        • OCONUS: 844-653-4060
        • OCONUS Toll: 717-888-7400

        Mail:

        Dental Vouchers

        If HIARNG funding allows, a SM may be issued a treatment voucher that will 100% cover the required treatment. This option is reserved for SMs who have no dental insurance at all. Ask your Care Coordinator about this.