United States Navy Dental Corps

The Dental Corps of the United States Navy consists of naval officers who have a doctorate in either dental surgery (DDS) or dental medicine (DMD) and who practice dentistry for Sailors and Marines to ensure optimal oral health.

The U.S. Navy Dental Corps was established by an Act of Congress in 1912. Its membership consists of dental officers of the Navy and the United States Navy Reserve. The primary mission of the Corps is to prevent or remedy dental conditions that may interfere with the performance of duty by members of the active naval forces. In overseas locations, they sometimes also treat dependent family members.

On 22 August 1912, the second session of the 62nd Congress passed an act (later signed by President Howard Taft) that established the Dental Corps. The Secretary of the Navy was authorized to appoint no more than 30 acting assistant dental surgeons to be a part of the Medical Department.

Dental officers are usually appointed to the rank of Lieutenant (LT) (O-3) but may be appointed to higher ranks with significant experience or advanced specialty training.

In October 1912, Emory Bryant and William Cogan were the first two dental officers to enter active duty with the U.S. Navy. Just over one year later, the Surgeon General of the United States reported to the Secretary of the Navy that the Medical Department now had the ability to provide dental care that would allow the Navy to accept recruits who would otherwise be rejected for defective teeth. In 1916, Congress authorized the president to appoint and commission dental surgeons in the Navy at the rate of one dentist per 1000 enlisted personnel.

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