Dental commander retires Published May 13, 2008 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Col. (Dr.) Kenneth Levin, 81st Dental Squadron commander, marks the end of a 30-year Air Force career May 23 during a 2 p.m. retirement ceremony at the Fishbowl in the Levitow Training Support Facility. Colonel Levin is responsible for providing dental care to more than 48,000 active-duty military, family members, and eligible beneficiaries at Keesler and surrounding communities. He's also responsible for a one-year advanced training program for general dentistry residents, a general practice residency and advanced specialty training in endodontics. The 81st DS is the second largest Air Force dental service squadron with 20 dental officers, 14 residents, 66 enlisted members and 11 civilians. Colonel Levin received his doctor of dental medicine degree in 1978 from the Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry. He was immediately commissioned as an Air Force captain and was assigned as a general dental officer at Weisbaden Air Base, Germany. In 1982, he was assigned to Homestead AFB, Fla., as the officer in charge of the endodontic department and received additional training in periodontics. His last assignment as a staff general dentist began in 1988 at Luke AFB, Ariz., as chief of oral diagnosis and treatment planning. In 1991, the colonel received a one-year special duty assignment to Eglin AFB, Fla., to attend the advanced clinical dentistry program. Duties at his next assignment as base dental surgeon at Kunsan AB, Korea, included appointment as the deputy hospital commander overseeing all medical operations at this remote location. In 1993, he was reassigned as the base dental surgeon at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., Space and Missile Systems Center. In 1996, Colonel Levin be-came the 61st Medical Squadron commander for the Space and Missile Systems Center, directing all medical clinic operations for more than 70,000 beneficiaries. His efforts doubled TRICARE Prime enrollment and laid the foundation for a $14.5 million military construction project. Fifteen months after assuming command, the Air Force Inspection Agency rated the clinic one of the top medical clinics in the Air Force. In 1998, Colonel Levin assumed command of the 95th Dental Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif. His additional duties included deputy commander of the 95th Medical Group, where he was instrumental in transitioning the hospital to a state-of-the-art outpatient clinic and establishing the Air Force's first all-military paramedic ambulance service. Colonel Levin was selected as the interim 95th Medical Group commander in 2000, leading Edwards to its most successful Joint Commission and Air Force Inspector General inspection on record. In 2001, he was assigned to Langley AFB, Va., where he served as 1st Dental Squadron commander overseeing all dental operations at the largest dental treatment facility in Air Combat Command. In 2004, he came to his current command at Keesler. His efforts included the recovery from this country's worst natural disaster, Hurricane Katrina, and pioneering a $4 million dental clinic renovation expected to be completed in October. Commenting on his career, Colonel Levin said, "I entered the military, July 4, 1978, planning to spend one assignment in the Air Force prior to opening a private dental practice. Here I am 30 years later -- it's the fantastic working environment and quality of personnel that has kept me on active duty all these years. I wouldn't change one thing." The colonel, a New York native, and his wife, Sabina, live in Ocean Springs. They have two daughters: Rachel, 27, and Rebekah, 23. The Levins remain in Ocean Springs in their home that was extensively damaged by Hurricane Katrina flood waters only nine months after it was completed.