Exposing, processing, and mounting dental radiographs  (X-ray  films)  as  prescribed  by written or verbal order of a dental officer. Preparing  dental  materials  and  medications  used in patient treatment. Sharpening,  disinfecting,  preparing,  sterilizing instruments and equipment. Performing  operator  and  preventive maintenance on dental equipment. Maintaining cleanliness of dental spaces. Rendering dental and medical aid to casualties of war or peacetime disasters. Performing such other duties in caring for dental patients and dental facilities as may be directed by those in authority. The  duties  listed  above  are  just  a  handful  of assignments that you may perform. You may want to enhance your naval career by receiving additional training.  Contact  your  career  counselor  if  you  have any questions regarding additional training. Next, we will discuss the different dental career paths you can take. NAVY ENLISTED CLASSIFICATIONS The Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) system is used to identify enlisted personnel with special skills, knowledge, or aptitude for filling billets and other management purposes. Enlisted dental personnel must be  familiar  with  the  Manual  of  Enlisted  Manpower  and Personnel   Classifications   and   Occupational Standards,  NAVPERS  18068. DENTAL TECHNICIAN NAVY ENLISTED CLASSIFICATIONS Dental  Technician  NECs  are  used  to  identify personnel with special skills within the dental rating. All dental-related NECs are contained in the 8700 series. As a Dental Assistant, Basic, Class A school graduate you will receive a rating designator or a source rating of DT. Sometimes you might see the source  rating  of  DT  followed  by  quad  zeros  (for example, DT-0000). This is not an NEC, but is used when no entry or special NEC is assigned to your billet (job). The DT-0000 identifier is used by the Bureau of Naval  Personnel  (PERS-407,  dental  detailers)  for  job assignment identification and the Enlisted Personnel Management Center (EPMAC) for the functional placement of basic Dental Assistants to specific billets. 1-5 If you have an opportunity to be assigned with the Fleet Marine Force or a naval construction battalion, you will attend a Class C school and graduate with an NEC of DT-8707. This NEC is carried only when actually assigned to a billet with the FMF or NMCB. When you finish your tour and roll back to shore or a sea duty assignment, the NEC of DT-8707 will not be assigned. You still hold this NEC in inventory and can be activated again if serving with the FMF, NMCB, or in a billet that requires an NEC of 8707. Following is a description of the 8707 NEC. DT-8707,  Field  Service  Technician:  Assists dental officer in providing treatment in the field. Provides technical and administrative assistance to support the mission and functions of Navy and Marine Corps field units.    Maintains  organizational  level  of Authorized  Dental  Allowance  Lists  (ADALs). Prepares,  reviews,  and  coordinates  logistics requirements. Ensures the observance and the practice of field sanitary measures. Augments and assists medical  personnel  in  providing  emergency  medical care to field or combat casualties to include assistance with medical evacuation procedures. If you possess the necessary qualifications as listed  in  the  Catalog  of  Navy  Training  Courses (CANTRAC), you may request specialized training at a Dental Technician, Class C School. Upon graduation you will be assigned an NEC in the 8700 series, which we will look at next. Specialized training is highly competitive and is available to dental personnel in the many areas of dentistry. CLOSED-LOOPED NECS Closed-looped means that once you earn that NEC you  will  be  assigned  to  that  NEC  and  billet requirement. The following are closed-looped NECs that  are  currently  available  to  basic  Dental  Techni- cians.   Full   descriptions   for   these   NECs   and requirements can be found in the Enlisted Manpower and  Personnel  Occupational  Standards  and Classifications,  NAVPERS  18068. DT-8703, Dental Administrative Technician: Assists the dental officer in organizing and managing a dental  clinic  or  facility. Performs advanced dental administrative,   logistical,   and   financial   duties. Provides  technical  assistance  in  organizing  and conducting dental health education programs and enlisted training. Assists in planning and coordinating fleet (operational) medical and dental support. DT-8708, Dental Hygienist: An out-of-service 2-year accredited training program that produces an