Dental readiness, also known as oral fitness, is important for Guard Soldiers. According to Army regulation 40-35, all Soldiers are required to exercise proper oral hygiene to maintain their overall fitness for duty and remain in a deployable status. Soldiers who fail to exercise good oral hygiene are likely to develop oral disease(s) and risk becoming unfit for duty, which in turn impacts Soldiers’ drill time and pay. Soldiers who repeatedly fail to exercise proper oral hygiene may be counseled by their chain of command.
If you miss your annual dental exam because you missed your PHA or group event, it’s as easy as scheduling a dental exam with a civilian dentist. Ask them to complete form DD 2813 and then return it to your unit. Don’t have a civilian dentist? Find one through TRICARE Dental or talk to your Medical Readiness NCO.
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