1. ADVANCED EDUCATION
IN
GENERAL DENTISTRY
(AEGD)
RESIDENCY PROGRAM
375th MEDICAL GROUP
Scott AFB, IL
2012-2013

2. COMMANDER, 375th MEDICAL GROUP
Col Bret D. Burton, USAF, MC
COMMANDER, 375th DENTAL SQUADRON
Col Steven L. Bartel, USAF, DC
DIRECTOR, DENTAL RESIDENT EDUCATION
Lt Col Bryce G. Whisler III, USAF, DC
Email: bryce.whisler@us.af.mil
Phone: 618-256-7120
Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program
2

3. MISSION OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE DENTAL SERVICE
The Air Force Dental Service mission is to maintain the oral health of Air Force personnel and
other uniformed service members to ensure their maximum wartime readiness and combat
capability. The Dental Service trains to ensure competency in tasks required to support the
overall medical mission in time of war or other contingency situations. During peacetime and
wartime, the Dental service provides a broad spectrum of oral health services for active duty
members and some other eligible beneficiaries.
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE AND SURROUNDINGS
Scott Air Force Base is located in southwestern Illinois and is approximately 25 miles east of St.
Louis, Missouri. The 375th Air Mobility Wing is comprised of several staff agencies and four
groups: the 375th Medical Group, 375th Operations Group, 375th Mission Support Group and
375th Communications Group. As the host unit, the 375th AMW supports four major
headquarters and a numbered air force with worldwide responsibilities: U.S. Transportation
Command (USTRANSCOM), Air Mobility Command, the Surface Deployment Distribution
Command, Defense Information Technology Systems Agency and the 18th Air Force, as well as
the 932nd Airlift Wing (Reserve), the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing,
and over 65 mission partners, including the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, which plans and
directs all US global airlift and air transport operations. USTRANSCOM is responsible for the
command and control of the United States' military transportation effort--in the air, on the
ground and over the sea, in peace and in war.
The St Louis area has a wide-ranging variety of activities and facilities for every interest and
taste. Professional sport teams include the St Louis Cardinals (baseball), the St Louis Blues
(hockey), and the St Louis Rams (football). In the event of no sellout, military members and
their families may use their military ID to attend the Cardinals games free of charge. Nightlife
includes numerous restaurants, bars, casinos, the theatre and a symphony. The St Louis Zoo is a
world class facility with an amazing array of wildlife for viewing. Many free museums are
available throughout the area, as well. The Missouri Botanical Gardens include Japanese and
Chinese gardens, a tropical rain forest, walking trails and educational programs from home
gardening to children’s activities. For the outdoorsman, fishing and hunting possibilities abound
in the lakes and forests of the region. In short, something for everyone is right here.
3

4. 375th MEDICAL GROUP
The 375th Medical Group is a subordinate unit of the 375th Air Mobility Wing. Medical
operations at Scott include a fully accredited outpatient ambulatory care facility with dental,
medical and minor surgical services. The medical group supports a robust air evacuation mission
that transports patients from war zones and locations across the globe. Additionally, medical
readiness responsibilities include training, equipping, and deploying medical response forces for
wartime contingencies, peacetime disasters and other operational taskings.
The medical staff includes specialists/clinics in internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and
gynecology, psychiatry, aerospace medicine, allergy, family practice, dermatology, and
alternative medicine including acupuncture and chiropractic services. Supporting services
include medical laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy,
optometry, and bioenvironmental engineering. Additionally, the medical group may refer care to
local civilian hospitals and practitioners to include the nationally ranked St Louis Children’s
Hospital and the prestigious Washington University and St Louis University Medical Systems.
375th DENTAL SQUADRON
The 375th Dental Squadron is located on Scott Air Force Base in the Scott Dental Clinic,
dedicated in 1983 and remodeled in 2009. It is a fully modern, well-equipped facility with 35
dental treatment rooms. The facility contains a conference room/library, dental instrument
processing center, prosthodontic laboratory, residency suite, supply area, and administrative
areas/offices. The residency includes six dedicated treatment rooms, resident prosthodontic
mini-lab, and resident office/administrative area.
In addition to the Scott Dental Clinic, the 375th Dental Squadron maintains an Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic in the main medical building. Our staff oral surgeon maintains a
busy practice in which the residents rotate to learn moderate conscious sedation and exodontia
techniques. This is a unique aspect of Air Force AEGD residencies: upon successful completion
of training, residents (general dentists) are credentialed to provide moderate conscious sedation
in their practice of dentistry.
Our AEGD teaching staff consists of general dentists and specialists who are all either board
certified or board eligible (details in the Teaching Staff section of this brochure).
4

5. RESIDENCY CURRICULUM
PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
AEGD RESIDENCY OVERVIEW
The 375th Dental Squadron sponsors a 12-month AEGD residency program accredited by the
Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The purpose of the
residency program is to provide a clinically oriented experience well beyond that of a dental
school curriculum in the recognized dental specialties and related medical fields. Residents
spend the majority of their time providing comprehensive dental care to a broad spectrum of
patients. The teaching staff consists of board certified or board eligible dentists representing a
range of expertise as Air Force officers, clinicians, and educators. This highly qualified faculty
is augmented by local and national consultants and guest lecturers from both the military and
civilian communities to provide a broad-based and diversified educational experience.
Additionally, the Scott AEGD program has a Training Affiliation Agreement (TAA) with the
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Dental Medicine. This TAA
enables our residents to have rotations in Pediatric/Special Care Dentistry and to provide
community service for underserved children in the East St Louis area.
OVERALL PROGRAM GOALS/OBJECTIVES
The goals and objectives for the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency are:
Goal # 1. To support the mission of the United States Air Force Medical and Dental
Services and to achieve and maintain accreditation by the American Dental Association.
Objective #1a: To provide general dental officers capable of maintaining dental health
readiness in diverse environments for the majority of active duty personnel in order to ensure
their worldwide deployability.
Achieved by: Resident clinical and didactic experience in the various phases of general
dentistry necessary to achieve and maintain sound oral health. Residents will experience an
operating room setting during Oral Surgery rotations to enhance war readiness training and
provide exposure to delivery of care in multiple settings. Residents also receive certification in
human remains identification via a Forensic Dentistry course, to further augment capabilities
associated with a military practice.
5

6. Objective #1b: To develop and maintain an advanced comprehensive education program in
general dentistry that complies with standards established by the American Dental Association
and required for program accreditation.
Achieved by: Adherence to standards set forth by the American Dental Association for
Advanced Education in General Dentistry programs. Review of the program is accomplished as
required, or at least annually, to ensure compliance.
Goal #2. To enhance the resident’s competence and confidence in delivery of advanced
comprehensive dental care, to include employment of disease prevention and health
promotion modalities that impact both individual patient and community health.
Objective #2: To provide clinical and didactic experience in all aspects of general dentistry to
educate residents in modern dental practice, facilitate their provision of comprehensive dental
care and encourage their participation in endeavors aimed at community oral health
enhancement.
Achieved by: An emphasis is placed on clinical experience, with hands-on instruction and
direct feedback by trained staff, and the provision of a wide variety of patient treatment
requirements to each resident. Clinical experience is reinforced with staff lectures, presentations,
literature reviews and other didactic opportunities. Involvement with community health
enhancement programs is used to instill participatory awareness and demonstrate individual
impact on overall community health.
Goal #3. To enhance the resident’s ability to make judgments in arriving at a diagnosis
and treatment plan, changing a course of treatment and assessing post-treatment outcomes.
Objective #3: To provide clinical experience and didactic information necessary to enable the
resident to develop sound diagnostic rationales and implement logical sequential treatment with
confidence and ability to assess treatment outcomes.
Achieved by: Formal and informal diagnosis and treatment planning seminars and treatment
plan reviews are provided. Oral pathology lectures, clinical pathology conferences, treatment
planning exercises and physical assessment training are also utilized. Clinical assessment of
diagnosis, treatment planning and treatment outcome is provided on a daily basis with faculty
evaluations at appropriate times before and during patient care.
Goal #4. To enhance the resident’s ability to accept responsibility for coordination of total
patient dental care by successful interaction with other health care providers involved in
the treatment of the patient.
Objective #4: To provide interaction with dental and medical specialists to enable the resident
to develop confidence in coordinating total patient dental care, including care for patients having
significant medical problems, disabilities or other conditions that complicate treatment delivery.
Achieved by: Independent assessment of patients with appropriate staff oversight is
encouraged. Staff members review treatment plans with residents and may require consultation
with other dental/medical specialists. Residents coordinate all care for comprehensive care
patients, including dental/medical consultation. Oral Surgery rotations enable the resident to
interface directly with other medical specialty areas.
6

7. Goal #5. To enhance the resident’s ability to supervise auxiliary personnel and manage a
dental practice in either a military or civilian setting.
Objective #5: To provide experience in military practice management and instruction in civilian
practice management within the residency framework.
Achieved by: Providing each resident the supervisory responsibility for management of
auxiliary personnel, patient appointments, supplies for dedicated treatment rooms, and other
related practice management areas is emphasized. Review of all patient records by staff
members is required to evaluate and ensure proper record documentation. Faculty members with
recent experience in civilian practice or visiting private practitioners conduct practice
management seminars. Residents receive instruction in dental administration and directly
participate in activities pertaining to military practice management which augment overall
practice management training.
Goal #6. To prepare residents to assume leadership roles through participation in
continuing dental education activities.
Objective #6: To afford the resident experiences in presentations/public speaking and in
focused reviews of the scientific literature to improve the resident’s ability to confidently speak
before groups, support his/her position with scientifically-based findings, and develop skills for
employing technology-based tools in literature research.
Achieved by: The program requires preparation and delivery of a table clinic at a regional or
national dental meeting and a formal lecture presentation on a dental or related topic to the
professional staff. Preparation for both of these activities involves utilization of library written
and computer-based resources as well as mastery of computer presentation graphics resources.
Staff assistance is available and encouraged for these projects.
Goal #7. To identify and instill the need to be a continuous student of dentistry in order to
facilitate clinical decision-making and base treatment approaches on ethical and
scientific/evidence based foundations.
Objective #7: To provide insight into the expanse of dental/medical literature and enable the
resident to critically review scientific articles, recognize the necessity for continual advancement
of dental education, and make clinical decisions based on scientific findings and demonstrated
outcomes.
Achieved by: Expansion of the resident’s knowledge level beyond the standard dental education
experience is achieved through routinely scheduled seminars and literature reviews. Residents
are responsible for review of literature topics in seminars and often present their reviews to other
residents and departmental personnel. Additionally, training in ethical reasoning/decision
making, jurisprudence and professional responsibility in academics, research, patient care, and
practice management will be provided.
7

8. SCOTT AEGD-1 RESIDENT EVALUATION
Competency and Proficiency Statements
Definitions of Intended Training Outcomes:
P (Proficient) - resident able to do this activity with repeated quality/efficient use of time.
C (Competent) - resident able to perform with adequate knowledge, skill and judgment.
E (Exposed) - resident participated in, assisted with, or watched this activity.
COMPREHENSIVE CARE /TREATMENT PLANNING: INCLUDING
SPECIAL NEEDS/ORAL MEDICINE; GERIATRICS; & PEDIATRIC
DENTISTRY
(See Oral Surgery Section for Addendum to Special Care Dentistry)
SCOPE
Residents will receive instruction in the planning and delivery of treatment to patients with
complex dental needs spanning various disciplines. An organized approach to problem
identification and appropriate sequencing of treatment will be emphasized which will allow the
dentist to tailor treatment to each patient. Residents will receive instruction in the legal
ramifications of informed consent and will be required to document its accomplishment prior to
provision of treatment on frequent occasions. Residents will provide multidisciplinary treatment
to assigned patients and will review and share case progression at monthly seminars.
Throughout the residency year, a resident is trained to evaluate his/her patient's systemic health.
The patient's health history is evaluated to determine relationships to oral health, and develop a
treatment plan and protocol for patients with both simple and complex treatment needs and
medical conditions. This is accomplished by clinical experience with credentialed staff and
lectures/courses presented by the Scott Teaching Staff and Air Force special consultants in Oral
Pathology, Hospital Dentistry and OMS (See OMS Section).
Pediatric Dentistry and Special Care Dentistry training will be augmented by the training
affiliation with Southern Illinois School of Dental Medicine (SIU/SDM), and residents get
training in pediatric/special care dentistry through a 6-9 day rotation either at the East St Louis
Community Center facility or the main SIU SDM campus in Alton, IL.
8

9. INTENDED TRAINING OUTCOMES
COMPREHENSIVE CARE/TX PLANNING/SPECIAL CARE/GERIATRIC
DENTISTRY/ORAL MEDICINE
1. Function as a patient's primary oral health care provider. Perform dental evaluations, seek
medical consultations when indicated, develop sequenced treatment plans, and provide
effective, appropriate management or treatment to dental outpatients to include special care
needs with mild to moderate medical problems; and geriatric patients. (C)
2. Provide emergency/urgent care diagnosis and management or treatment. (C)
3. Able to discuss a wide variety of medical conditions and their dental management
implications (Oral Medicine). (C)
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
1. Obtain informed consent for dental treatment by discussing with patients, or parents
or guardians of patients, the following: findings; diagnoses; the risks, benefits, and
process of various treatment options; patient responsibilities during and after treatment;
and estimated fees and payment responsibilities. (P)
2. Develop treatment plans, and provide effective/appropriate management or treatment
(emergency and routine) for pediatric patients. (C)
3. Treat/restore teeth of the primary dentition. (C)
4. Perform uncomplicated surgical and pulpotomy procedures on pediatric patients. (C)
5. Use behavior management skills with the pediatric/special care patients (E)
ENDODONTICS
al
SCOPE
The endodontic component of the residency program consists of clinical and didactic phases,
which emphasize diagnosis and treatment of pathoses of the dental pulp and periradicular tissues.
The clinical phase of training includes experience in hand and rotary instrumentation. The
didactic phase of the training consists of formal lectures from the clinical staff and literature
reviews.
INTENDED TRAINING OUTCOMES
1. Able to assess the pulpal and periodontal health of dental tissues using appropriate diagnostic
procedures . (P)
2. Provide diagnostic and emergency endodontic services in the DOD environment, including
the management of traumatic injuries. (P)
3. Perform non-surgical anterior and posterior endodontic therapy to include re-treatment of
failing endodontic cases. (C)
 Retreatment Cases: Competency is not required for graduation. Competency is limited to
simple re-treatment cases with unobstructed canals.
9

10. OPERATIVE, PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY, & OROFACIAL PAIN/TMD
SCOPE
Training is provided through topic-oriented literature reviews, chairside instruction, and lectures
by the teaching staff. The clinical and didactic knowledge acquired in dental school by the
resident is augmented with the latest concepts and trends in operative dentistry, preventive
dentistry, dental materials and orofacial pain/TMD.
An Orofacial Pain Seminar with a special consultant will supplement training. Clinical
experience is provided throughout the training year by the General Dentist Teaching Staff.
INTENDED TRAINING OUTCOMES
OPERATIVE and PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
1. Restore single teeth with a wide range of direct placement materials and methods with an
emphasis on Minimally Invasive Dentistry techniques. (P)
2. Place restorations and perform techniques to enhance a patient’s facial esthetics. (P)
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the etiology, progression, & prevention of dental caries
to include utilization of the Medical Model of Caries & applicable treatment protocols. (P)
OROFACIAL PAIN/TMD
1. Based on the subjective history and clinical assessment, provide the diagnosis, contributing
factors, management plan and treatment of uncomplicated orofacial pain/TMD. (C)
2. Manage complex orofacial pain cases.(C)
PERIODONTICS
SCOPE
Training in this department emphasizes the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and
chronic pathological conditions of the periodontal tissues. The didactic portion consists of
lectures, discussions and seminars. The staff assigns selected material from the dental literature
and textbooks. Clinical experience is provided throughout the year in an integrated format.
Patients are assigned to provide the resident experience with a wide range of treatment
modalities.
INTENDED TRAINING OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the prevention, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis
and treatment planning/management of periodontal disease. (P)
2. Provide non-surgical management of all forms of periodontal disease. (P)
3. Provide surgical treatment of mild to moderate periodontitis. (C)
4. Manage advanced periodontal disease. (C)
5. Perform ridge preservation following extractions where indicated. (C)
 Competency not required for graduation
6. Perform simple pre-restorative/pre-prosthetic surgery (restorative flap access and crown
lengthening.) (C)
10

11. PROSTHODONTICS: FIXED, REMOVABLE & IMPLANTS
SCOPE
This portion of the residency program is aimed at increasing the skill and knowledge level in the
field of prosthodontics. The base of previously acquired clinical and academic training is
enlarged to give the resident a practical, effective approach to the treatment of routine as well as
complex patient problems. Didactics in prosthodontics include lectures, demonstrations,
discussions, and reading assignments. A hands-on CEREC-CADCAM course, removable partial
denture course and implant dentistry course are provided. Training in implantology is limited due
to the patient population and scope of training in all specialties, but residents can expect to gain
experience with multiple implant patients. In prosthodontics training, patients are treated
throughout the year in an integrated format and are selected by the staff to provide a wide variety
of clinical experience for the resident.
Implant Seminar and Lab
INTENDED TRAINING OUTCOMES
1. Diagnose and treat patients with missing teeth requiring removable appliances. (C)
2. Diagnose and treat patients with unesthetic or fracture prone or missing teeth requiring
uncomplicated fixed restorations . (P)
3. Manage patients requiring complex prosthodontic needs and occlusal disorders. (P)
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of implant placement and restoration
including indications and limitations. Restore single tooth implants and provide follow up
care and preventive maintenance (C)
5. Diagnose and provide care to a patient’s occlusion. (C)
6. Communicate case design with laboratory staff and evaluate resultant prosthesis. (P)
ORTHODONTICS
SCOPE
Orthodontic training is presented through lectures, clinical demonstrations and treatment of
selected cases that fall within a general dentistry scope of care. Clinical and didactic knowledge
acquired in dental school is augmented with increased levels of training in diagnosis & treatment
11

12. of common problems. Didactic training is provided by lectures by the staff orthodontist.
Orthodontic clinical experiences will include minor tooth movement for adults.
INTENDED TRAINING OUTCOMES
1. Recognition and referral of occlusal disorders and malaligned teeth. (C)
 Exposed to cephalometric analysis, arch length analysis, and treatment planning
2. Placement of brackets and arch wires directly and/or indirectly. (C)
3. Treat minor tooth movement cases (i.e., uprighting, extrusion, diastema closure, minor
cross-bite correction, mild crowding, and space problems) through design and activation of
removable and fixed appliances. (E)
4. Retention of tooth alignment using various retainer types. (C)
Clinical Photography Lab
for Restorative, Surgical and
Orthodontic Treatment
ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY, PAIN & ANXIETY
CONTROL, PATIENT ASSESSMENT/ PHYSICAL DIAGNOSI
INCLUDING SPECIAL CARE DENTISTRY
Residents are Trained in Moderate
Conscious Sedation and Exodontia
SCOPE (ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY)
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: The intent of this training is to provide the resident with the
knowledge and experience necessary to evaluate, diagnose, and treat various diseases, injuries,
and other pathological conditions of the oral cavity. Formal lectures, literature reviews, and
seminars comprise the didactic portion of the OMFS rotation. Clinical experience is provided on
an integrated basis throughout the academic year in block rotations. The resident assists on more
12

13. complex surgical procedures. The interdependence of all of the health specialties is stressed
through the use of appropriate consultations.
SCOPE (PAIN AND ANXIETY CONTROL)
Didactic and clinical instruction will prepare residents to employ various methods of conscious
sedation during patient treatment to achieve anxiety and pain control. Training will enable
residents to select appropriate sedation techniques and agents based upon patient factors and
procedures to be accomplished. Residents will employ conscious sedation in some form during
the performance of various oral, periodontal, and endodontic surgeries, pediatric and possibly
some restorative procedures. While emphasis is placed on certification in intravenous
techniques, certification in inhalational (nitrous oxide) technique is also available to those
residents who achieve the requisite caseload and demonstrate proficiency.
SCOPE (PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS AND PATIENT ASSESSMENT)
Throughout the residency year, a resident is trained to evaluate his/her patient's systemic health.
The patient's health history is reviewed to determine relationships to oral health, and develop a
treatment protocol for patients with complex medical conditions including special needs patients.
This is accomplished by lectures and courses presented by Air Force consultants in Oral
Pathology, Orofacial Pain, and Hospital Dentistry. Residents receive in depth training in patient
evaluation during Oral Surgery’s didactics/clinical sessions in relation to Moderate Conscious
Sedation training as noted in the Pain and Anxiety Control Scope of Care above.
INTENDED TRAINING OUTCOMES
EXODONTICS/MINOR ORAL SURGERY
1. Routine extraction of all indicated erupted teeth and retained root fragments. (P)
2. Removal of uncomplicated soft tissue and bony impactions. (C)
 Competency in bony impactions is not required for graduation
3. Perform routine intraoral biopsies and minor intraoral surgical procedures (C)
4. Be familiar with arch bar placement and removal (E)
5. Exposure to surgical procedures in the Operating Room setting. (E)
PATIENT ASSESSMENT/PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS
1. Perform adequate patient assessment, to include chief complaint, history of present
illness, past medical history, past surgical history, allergies, medications, social history
medical lab tests, diagnostic imaging and a focused physical examination; including
special needs patient recognition and treatment protocols. (P)
2. Recognize major infections, trauma and pathology of the oral and maxillofacial
structures and make the appropriate specialty referral. (C)
3. Recognize and treat uncomplicated surgical postoperative complications. (P)
PAIN/ANXIETY CONTROL
1. Achieve and maintain certification in BLS and ACLS. Possess a thorough working
knowledge of medical emergencies in the dental clinic and their treatment. (C)
2. Possess knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and psychology
associated with various pain and anxiety control methods. (C)
3. Select and use the proper regimen for the control of pain and anxiety after adequate
physical and psychological assessment of the patient. Methods include intravenous
moderate conscious sedation and inhalation (nitrous oxide) or oral anxiolysis (C)
13

14.  Competency in moderate conscious sedation is not required for graduation
4. Prevent, recognize and manage complications and emergencies related to the use and
interaction of local anesthetics, systemic medications and agents used in the control of
pain and anxiety. (C)
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND ETHICS/JURISPRUDENCE
SCOPE
The practice management portion of residency training is aimed at enhancing the understanding
of and providing experience in the management of an Air Force and civilian dental practice.
Experience is acquired through the maintenance of appointment schedules, daily supervision of
dental technicians, hygienists, and other support personnel as well as various lectures performed
by both military and private practitioners. Ethics and jurisprudence training will be accomplished
by lectures, literature reviews and discussions. Additionally, residents will be trained in the
management of forensic dentistry identification methods and management of a forensic
identification scenario.
INTENDED TRAINING OUTCOMES
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT and ETHICS/JURISPRUDENCE
1. Use selected business systems in dental practice including scheduling, patient flow, record
keeping, and comprehensive care systems.. (C)
2. Provide care with allied dental personnel and an interprofessional health care team using
accepted methods and standards. (C)
3. Apply principles of jurisprudence and professional ethics in the practice of
dentistry to include:
 Ethical reasoning/decision making and professional responsibility
in academics, research, patient care, and practice management.
 Draw on a range of resources such as professional codes, regulatory law, and
ethical theories to guide judgment and action for issues. (C)
4. Evaluate information systems, information technology and alternative patient care and
reimbursement systems in dental practice. (C)
5. Engage in health care promotion and marketing. (C)
DENTAL FORENSICS
1. Perform postmortem examination/forensic identification and manage a forensic site. (C)
14

15. Scott AEGD Residency Program
GENERAL INFORMATION
Application Procedures
Individuals are selected by Headquarters USAF in October of the preceding year. Students may
obtain information and application forms by contacting the nearest Air Force Medical Recruiting
Officer, accessing the USAF Dental Corps Utilization and Education website
http://airforcemedicine.afms.mil/usafdental or by writing to:
Health Professions Recruiting
Medical Recruiting Division
Headquarters Recruiting Service
550 D Street West, Suite 1
Randolph AFB TX 78148-4527
Non-Discriminatory Policy
It is the official policy of the United States Air Force that applicants for entry, including those
pursing admission into this advanced education program, will not be subject to discrimination on
the basis of gender, race, religion or other factors. However, applicants must meet minimum
standards required for performing duties as commissioned military officers, and must be
graduates of accredited American Dental Schools.
Career Commitments
Dental residents enter active duty and incur a service commitment commensurate with the length
of the Health Professions Scholarship (HPSP) they received. The AEGD residency training year
is considered a "neutral" year in terms of service obligation. Upon completion of residency
training, dental officers are typically reassigned to a new duty station for the completion of their
initial commitment. Dental resident assignments are released about four months prior to the
completion of the training program.
Commissioned Officer Training School (COTS)
All new dental officers attend this training course conducted at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
Approximately four weeks in duration, COTS is usually held in July, immediately prior to the
residency program start in August. Its purpose is to familiarize and orient incoming dental
15

16. officers with their new duties and responsibilities and introduce them to military customs,
courtesies, regulations and core values. Additionally, a two to three-day medical readiness
course is also conducted in conjunction with this training. Residents report to their AEGD
locations following completion of COTS. See the Air Force Health Professions Recruiter for
details.
State Dental License
Military dentists on active duty are required to have a valid state license. The license does not
have to be in the state in which the officer is assigned. It is strongly recommended that residents
challenge a dental licensure examination prior to their residency. Dental officers arriving for the
residency program without a license will be required to take a licensure examination within one
year of graduation from dental school. Failure to obtain a license in the first year of active duty
is grounds for administrative discharge from the Air Force or transfer to duties not involving
dentistry. Residents with state dental licenses are typically eligible for bonus pay near the start
of residency training. As of 2010, this bonus is $10,000.
Personal Appearance and Conduct
As commissioned officers of the United States Air Force, residents must comply fully with
standards of appearance and conduct. Initial USAF orientation briefings inform newcomers of
these requirements. Nothing less than exemplary bearing and behavior is acceptable.
Withdrawal or Removal From Training
With the approval of the USAF Surgeon General, a resident may be withdrawn from training for
any of the following reasons: individual request; prolonged absence from the program; less than
satisfactory performance or academic progress; disciplinary problems; other acts or
circumstances which warrant release from the program; or national emergencies. Air Force
Instruction (AFI) 41-117, Medical Service Officer Education, and AFI 36-3207, Separating
Commissioned Officers, are guidances/instructions that apply to such withdrawal.
Due Process Policy
If needed to improve student performance, discretionary actions can be used by the program
director and methods include limitations on educational activities, academic notice, and formal
probation. If these steps do not rectify the situation, an investigation of the situation is
completed, and a recommendation may be made to terminate the student's participation in the
program. The student may request a faculty board review of the situation. Specific details of
faculty board composition and due process procedures, including appeal procedures and
reinstatement, can be found in detail in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 41-117, Medical Service
Officer Education. Scott AFB AEGD also has a local policy based upon this AFI.
Certificate of Training and Board Certification Status
A Certificate of Residency Training will be presented to those residents who have satisfactorily
completed all the requirements of the training program. This program alone does not qualify the
resident for any dental specialty board examination leading to certification.
However, after successful completion of this program and documented attendance at a minimum
of 600 hours of continuing dental education course (of which 200 hours are participation),
16

17. applications may be made to challenge the American Board of General Dentistry. Current Air
Force policy stipulates that dental officers must complete a 2-Year Advanced Education in
General Dentistry program to be eligible for board certification pay.
Other Training Certification
Certificates of Training in Intravenous Moderate Conscious Sedation, Nitrous Oxide Minimal
Sedation/Anxiolysis, and Forensic Dentistry Identification may be awarded provided specific
criteria are fulfilled and competency/proficiency is demonstrated.
Specialty Training Opportunities (After AEGD 1 Year Program)
Formal postgraduate residencies are available in endodontics, general dentistry, oral and
maxillofacial surgery, oral and maxillofacial pathology, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry,
periodontics, and prosthodontics. An AEGD provides a great exposure to the various specialties,
and may help the resident be more certain regarding their application to a particular specialty. In
general, an active duty service commitment equal to the length of the residency program is
incurred following formal training; but some specialties may vary. Graduates are obliged to
challenge their respective specialty certifying boards. Air Force specialty programs are
nationally recognized for their scholastic excellence and graduates consistently perform well on
board certification examinations. Dental officers who achieve diplomate status in general
dentistry or a traditional specialty are presently compensated with board certification pay.
Resident Education Function
The Resident Education Function (REF) is chaired by the Director, Dental Resident Education
and includes members of the teaching staff and the Chief Resident as a rotating member. It
provides overall program guidance and ensures that program objectives are being met and
residents' performance meets minimum standards. It also reviews program goals and objectives
in order to ensure compliance with accreditation standards set forth by the Commission on
Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The function meets monthly.
Primary responsibilities of the function include development and review of curriculum plans and
outcomes assessment tools, evaluation of resident performance, education facility/equipment
assessment and improvement, support staff assessment and improvement and evaluation of
resident input through the Chief Resident.
Library Facilities
The 375th Dental Squadron maintains a library for use by the residents and staff. An on-line
medical literature index is being made available through the Air Force’s Virtual Library online.
Through inter-library agreements with the Wilford Hall Medical Center Library, the Scott AFB
Main Library, and other Air Force medical libraries, virtually any literature source can be
accessed. Southern Illinois University School of Dentistry is also available as a possible
resource. The ADA provides excellent library support and has a toll-free number to order copies
of journal articles at a nominal fee.
Orientation / In-Processing
17

18. Prior to the beginning of formal training activities, an orientation program is provided to
acquaint the residents with their new associates and environment. Residents will also be oriented
to the military hospital environment and given an overview of the residency program. Time will
be allowed for the residents to process into the 375th Medical Group and base, arrange for
delivery of household goods, and satisfy other military requirements. Since minimal time will be
allotted for making initial housing arrangements, residents are encouraged to visit the Scott Air
Force Base area prior to reporting to Commissioned Officer Training School.
Typical Resident Weekly Schedule
The weekly schedule represented below depicts a typical residency training week at the Scott
AEGD Residency. At various times, special events and opportunities may necessitate changes to
the schedule. Although adherence to this schedule is encouraged for patient treatment, flexibility
does allow occasional deviation when special circumstances warrant.
Our clinic uses a “Flex Schedule”, which means we average a 9-10 hour work day, but residents
get ½ day off or more every other Friday. Mission demands, residency requirements, or the
discretion of the Dental Squadron Commander can alter time off occasionally. Squadron
physical fitness times are included twice per week.
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Endo Ortho
Roll Call @ 7:10 Clinic Clinic
(Monthly)
0700 Oper Periodontics Prostho Lectures
Monthly (2nd wk)
~ Clinic Clinic Clinic - Implant Board &
1100 - Literature Review Seminars
- Oral Medicine
- Tx Plan Seminar
- Patient Care Conf
Oper Endo
Prostho Clinic Clinic Operative Perio Oper
1200 Clinic Clinic Clinic Clinic
~ or
1700 ½ Day off
(alternating wks)
Fitness Time Clinic Meetings Fitness Time Clinic Meetings
4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00
 Two 2-wk block rotations in Oral Surgery initially, then up to 4 wks more (based on staff
recommendation and resident input)
 Pediatric/Special Care rotations at SIU School of Dental Medicine facilities for 6-9 days
 Orthodontic rotation will be once per month
Resident Presentations
18

19. During the training year, each resident prepares a lecture presentation of 30-40 minutes in length that
is suitable as a continuing education presentation at their next duty station. Residents will also
present a table clinic at a local and national dental meeting in the spring. Staff mentors are assigned
to provide guidance on these and other projects required during the academic year. Residents
document a major portion of their clinical cases through the use of intraoral photography. While
purchase of intraoral camera equipment is encouraged, the residency program does provide cameras
on a loan basis for training.
Dental Officer of the Day (DOD) – On Call Duties
Dental residents will perform Dental Officer of the Day (DOD) duties on a rotating basis with other
members of the dental staff. This duty involves being available by for dental emergencies after
normal duty hours and on weekends. Teaching staff back-up assistance is readily available to the
rotating officers. The DOD is called by the Medical Answering Service if needed (DOD cell phone
provided). After initial telephone triage, the resident in concert with the staffer will make a decision
as to the level of urgency and will report to the clinic for patient treatment, if indicated. The resident
can expect to be on call one week every two months. Typically, the average call involves 1-2
patients for the week.
Leave/Illness
Dental residents will be permitted to take two weeks of leave during the training program during a
designated December-January holiday period. Emergency leave, as defined by AFI 36-303, may be
taken at any time. Special requests for other approved absences will be considered on a limited case-
by-case basis. In the event of illness, the resident will seek medical care through the medical clinic
and ensure that the program director is notified so that arrangements can be made for previously
appointed patients.
Seminars, Lectures, and Literature Reviews
Formal lectures, seminars, and literature reviews will be conducted by the various dental specialty
departments. These presentations will be scheduled on a weekly basis. All residents are required to
attend and participate.
Dental Staff Meetings
Residents will be required to attend dental staff meetings, as directed by the 375th Dental Squadron
commander or the AEGD program director.
Professional Membership
Membership in the American Dental Association (ADA) is highly recommended, but not required.
Residents qualify for the ADA student/resident membership dues. In addition, residents are highly
encouraged to become members of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Members can receive
150 hours of participation continuing education credit toward the AGD Fellowship Award following
completion of the AEGD residency.
19

20. Resident Evaluation
Resident performance evaluations will be completed at the end of each training period (three
evaluations) by each specialty area for each resident. These reports will be submitted to the program
director, who compiles the information and formally presents it to each resident on an individual
basis. These documents will be filed in the resident's local training record. Following completion of
the residency program, a formal training report will be written, which becomes a part of the
resident's permanent military record. This report is equivalent to the annual Officer Performance
Report (OPR) and can impact on a resident's future military career and advanced education pursuits.
Resident Critiques
To aid in evaluating the effectiveness of the various components of the educational program, each
resident will submit a written critique on the training program periodically. This quality
improvement tool provides valuable and constructive criticism. It is designed to ensure that resident
needs are being met in addition to facilitating communication between the residents and the teaching
staff.
2012-2013 AEGD Residency Teaching Staff
Program Director
Lt Col Bryce G. Whisler III, USAF, DC
Degree: DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry
Training: Certificate, AEGD 2-Yr Program, Wilford Hall Medical Center,
Lackland AFB, TX
Board Status: Diplomate, American Board of General Dentistry
Chief of Endodontics
Col Kenneth J. Boone, USAF, DC
Degree: DDS, Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
Training: Certificate in Endodontics, Wilford Hall Medical Center,
Lackland AFB, TX
Board Status: Board Eligible
Chief of Orthodontics
Col Brent E. Nikolaus, USAF, DC
Degree: DDS, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
Training: Certificate in Orthodontics, St. Louis University
Board Status: Board Eligible
20

21. Chief of Prosthodontics
Col Randall C. Duncan, USAF, DC
Degree: DDS, University of Texas at San Antonio Dental School
MS, University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Training: Prosthodontics Certificate, University of Texas Dental School
at San Antonio
Board Status: Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Col(s) John W. Hultquist, USAF, DC
Degree: DMD, University of Alabama in Birmingham School of Dentistry
MD, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
Training: Certificate in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Wilford Hall Medical
Center, Lackland AFB, TX
Board Status: Diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Prosthodontics Training Officer
Lt Col David F. Pierson, USAF, DC
Degree: DDS, University of Southern Illinois Edwardsville School of Dental
Medicine
Training: Prosthodontics Certificate - Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland
AFB, Texas
Board Status: Board Eligible
Chief of Periodontics
Maj Matthew T. Raper, Maj, USAF, DC
Degree: DDS, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry
Training: Certificate in Periodontics, Wilford Hall Medical Center,
Lackland AFB, TX
Board Status: Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology
21

22. 22