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ROCK SOLID WARRIOR

  • Published
  • 386th Expeditionary Medical Group
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Staff Sgt. Lucas Angil 

Dental Assistant 

Home unit/base: 88th Dental Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

How do you support the mission here? As the only dental assistant here, I ensure everyone in the active-duty, Guard, Reserve, including coalition forces, receive dental care for any emergency that may occur. An individual can not continue their mission if they are in severe pain or they require extensive dental care. 

How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? Fortunately, I was sent here for my first deployment. What makes this deployment unique is the opportunity to learn all facets of clinical medical care. Because we are so small in the Med Group we all have to pitch in to help accomplish the mission. 

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? At my home station, I only work in one specific area of care. At this location, not only do I have to be proficient in my one area of expertise, but I also have to have the knowledge and the capabilities to aid the dentist in providing care from a basic dental cleaning to minor dental surgeries.