OCCASIONS FOR DENTAL EXAMINATIONS

examinations; and emergency oral examinations for evaluation of pain, infection, trauma, or defective restorations. TYPE 4, SCREENING EVALUATION This type of examination consists of a mouth- mirror and explorer or tongue depressor examination with whatever illumination is available. This category includes the initial dental processing of recruits without necessarily being examined by a dentist or other screening procedures. A qualified dental assistant or dental hygienist may perform a type 4 examination. OCCASIONS FOR DENTAL EXAMINATIONS Dental examinations are performed on various occasions. The type of the examination performed will depend on what the patient needing an examination requires (i.e., retirement, annual, etc.). ACCESSION All Navy and Marine Corps personnel who enter the military service will have a dental record established with an accession examination and radiographs. PERIODIC DENTAL EXAMINATIONS Dental examinations of all active duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel must be conducted annually and on other appropriate occasions to establish the need for dental treatment and verify dental records. Periodic dental examinations access the readiness status of active duty Navy personnel. The annual examination should normally be a type 2 examination. SUITABILITY FOR OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT (OVERSEAS SCREENING) The procedures for the medical and dental evaluation of Navy and Marine Corps members and their accompanying family members, who are undergoing suitability processing for overseas assignment, are provided in NAVMEDCOMINST 1300.1. Based upon the findings of the dental examination, a dental officer recommends suitability or unsuitability of a member and family members for overseas assignment. This is documented on a NAVMED 1300/1, Medical and Dental Overseas Screening Review for Active Duty or Dependent. The examining dentist will complete Part II: Dental Screening (fig. 2-3) on the NAVMED 1300/1. The ultimate responsibility rests with the member's commanding officer to approve or disapprove the member or family members for overseas assignment. PERIODICITY OF MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS (PHYSICALS) As a part of each member's medical physical examination, a dentist must examine the member and record the results on the Report of Medical Examination, SF-88 (covered later in this chapter). Entries are also made on the member's EZ603, and filed in the NAVMED 6150/21-30. All active duty members and reservists will have medical examinations completed as follows: Upon entry to enlisted or commissioned active duty At intervals of 5 years through age 50 At intervals of 2 years through age 60 Annually after age 60 SEPARATIONS, RETIREMENTS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS Dental examinations are required for personnel who separate from the Naval Service, retire, or apply for special programs. The Manual of the Medical Department, NAVMED P-117, chapters 6 and 15, outlines procedures for these examinations. DENTAL CLASSIFICATIONS The Navy Dental Corps has a uniform system for recording the results of a dental examination. It is a classification system that lets the provider determine the dental status of each individual and establishes priorities of treatment. Numbers are used to record one of four possible dental classifications. Each classification is carefully determined using prescribed criteria and is accurately recorded. The following is a description of each classification. 2-4