Pulling out of a tailspin : rebuilding the dental corps after downsizing : research rept.

Abstract : The Federal Dental Services have downsized commensurate with the active duty forces which they support. This downsizing has masked, and arguably exacerbated serious problems with recruiting and retaining dental officers. The Services find themselves short of military dentists in an environment which promises to only worsen without prompt, effective action on the part of the Department of Defense (DoD) and/or Congress. This paper examines the dental role in military readiness. Further, it documents the decline of retention and recruiting within the Services and relates the decline to deterioration of a competitive pay structure. Additionally, the paper proposes changes to Dental Special Pay structure and recruiting incentives designed to restore the Dental Corps as a viable career option for dentists again.