81st Dental Squadron showcases Published June 25, 2009 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, BILOXI, MISS. -- The Keesler Dental Clinic was rededicated June 17 during a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony. Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Gar Graham, command surgeon for the Headquarters Air Force District of Washington at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C., and commander of the 79th Medical Wing, Andrews AFB, Md., joined Col. Ian Dickinson, 81st Training Wing commander, and Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Dan Wyman, 81st Medical Group commander, for the event. Col. (Dr.) John Embry, 81st Dental Squadron commander, noted the dental clinic opened in 1963 with the facility's original east wing. "The present building has undergone several renovations and additions over the last 46 years to bring it to its present form," he observed. The first dental residents were trained in 1978-79. From 1983 to 2000, the program was a two-year program for general dentists and in 2001 became a one-year training program. "Keesler started training endodontists in 2003 and graduated the first class in 2005, just before Katrina hit," Colonel Embry said. "This program was restarted in 2007 and will graduate two residents this summer. The entering class for 2009 will be comprised of eight Advanced Education in General Dentistry-1 residents, two general practice residents and four endodontic residents (two in their clinical second year and two in their didactic year at Louisiana State University.) The clinic currently has a staff of 136 -- 23 staff dentists, 12 resident dentists, three contract dentists and 124 auxiliary staff. The most recent renovation involved every aspect of the clinic. The floors were refinished with ceramic tile, the walls repainted and the cabinets upgraded to a handle-free system. The functional aesthetics also simplify infection control procedures. Each dental treatment room has been outfitted with new dental chairs. Electric hand pieces are included. This "drill" is much quieter than the air-driven model and much more acceptable to patients who dread the noise of the hand piece. An intraoral camera with a viewing screen visible to the patient was incorporated into the design of the chair. Patients are able to clearly see the condition of their teeth and gums, which allows the dentist to more easily discuss dental problems and explain treatment options. In addition, the clinic's radiology has been upgraded with state-of-the-art digital X-ray technology, greatly reducing the minimal amount of radiation exposure dental X-rays deliver.