What's a military dental nurse job like?

I'm interested in pursuing a career as a dental nurse but was wondering what it's like in the military. How does it differ from civilian dental nursing, and what kind of skills or qualifications are needed?

Joining the military as a dental nurse can present a host of unique opportunities, but it does differ considerably compared to civilian dental nursing. For starters, serving in the military means you could be stationed at bases in various parts of the world, not just in a single clinic or hospital. Duties could go beyond typical dental assistance tasks like patient care and instrument preparation. Military dental nurses might also need to mobilize in the event of conflict or natural disaster, providing dental care in field hospitals or temporary clinics.

The qualifications required for a military dental nurse are similar to those required for the civilian practice. You'd need to be a registered dental assistant, which means completing a dental assisting program and then passing an exam. These programs usually take about one year but can be as long as two years if you're seeking an Associate Degree. However, military dental nurses can start their careers immediately after high school by entering military dental assistant programs. For details about that, you need to contact a military recruiter who can provide information on dental assistant training in the respective military branch.

In terms of skills, teamwork and versatility are key given the nature of military operations. Good physical health is important too, considering the demanding and sometimes unpredictable nature of military service. Lastly, to successfully serve in the military, you need to be able to adapt to different environments and amenable to potential deployment.

Being a military dental nurse means working in an environment where your role extends to being part of a team dedicated to preserving the overall health of service members. As such, it's a very rewarding but demanding job with unique experiences and benefits such as travel and competitive pay and benefits, including scholarship programs, tuition assistance, and retirement plans. It's important to carefully consider the lifestyle and unique set of challenges when making your decision.