Mobile dental bus helps drive away plaque

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eydie Sakura
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  Being assigned to a geographically separated unit can sometimes create difficulties and lost man-hours when it comes to annual appointments like dental checkups. That is not the case for GSUs aligned with Spangdahlem.

The 52nd Dental Squadron’s dental bus is a 40-foot long, fully functioning dental clinic on wheels. The air-conditioned mobile unit is handicap accessible and features two dental treatment units, an X-ray machine and processor, a sterilization area and a waiting room.

The bus, the only one of its kind in the Air Force, travels twice a year to various GSUs in three countries for two weeks at time, providing expeditionary treatment for active-duty Airmen, along with treatment for their families.

“We visit some of our GSUs so the people stationed there do not have to go on (temporary duty) to Spangdahlem to get their yearly dental exam,” said Capt. (Dr.) Steven Caldroney, a dentist with the 52nd DS. “This bus saves the Air Force about 3,500 hours of lost duty time (because of) travel per year and about $75,000 in patient TDY travel costs.”

Since the first appearance of the bus in 1999, it travels each spring and fall to Volkel Air Base, Netherlands; Kleine Brogel AB, Belgium; Buechel AB, Germany; and Kalkar National Support Unit, Germany, logging more than 2,100 miles each year.

“We have one dentist and three technicians at all times on the bus,” said Staff Sgt. Davina Armbruster, noncommissioned officer in charge of the dental bus. “Our first week at a GSU is for routine cleanings, and the second week is to provide fillings and minor treatments. We can do emergency work if needed, but it’s not ideal.”

What is ideal is the time and money saved for team members, some who would otherwise have to drive up to five hours here from their unit to be at an annual appointment.

“The bus is great because it saves me a trip to Spangdahlem,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Jacobson, a 702nd Munitions Support Squadron communications maintenance technician at Buechel. “It’s the worst when your appointment gets canceled and you’ve already made the drive down to Spangdahlem -- you can lose a whole day.”

Losing a whole day for TDY travel for the hundreds of Airmen at the units can put a strain on units around the wing and major command, and it is one of the major reasons the dental bus got its start.

“A previous dental squadron commander identified the need to have a mobile unit visit GSUs throughout the wing,” said Senior Master Sgt. Kent McCormack, 52nd DS superintendent. “The Pacific Air Force is looking at the dental bus option for GSU area support in Korea, but right now, we are the only bus in the Air Force.”

Being the only one of its kind in the Air Force can make for a unique working environment, Dr. Caldroney said.

“It’s pretty cool to work on the bus because we’re basically self-sufficient, and it’s a great experience to be on the road,” he said. “But after being on the road for seven weeks, it’s nice to get back to the clinic and not have to stay in hotels for awhile.”

It is a unique experience for most dental bus patrons too, said Staff Sgt. Joel Jiskra, a 702nd MUNNS special weapons technician.

“All I have to say is whoever designed the bus is a genius,” he said. “It’s amazing all the stuff that can fit into the bus, and the staff is really friendly. They have really great customer service, and they had me in and out of the chair in about 15 minutes.” (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service)