What is the ARNG Dental Portal?
The ARNG Portal, www.ARNGDental.com, will provide guidance and tools to ARNG State Dental Officer's (SDO's), Staff, and Contractors to support their missions and the dental readiness of ARNG Soldiers. It will also provide deployment and mobilization resources and links to other programs, such as TRICARE Dental Program. It will support oral health and dental readiness education outreach via www.DecadeofHealth.com website and the ARNG Dental Bytes® e-newsletters located at www.ARNGDentalBytes.com. It will also package guidance for contractors to ensure compliance with dental examination standards and prevent Soldier re-examinations.
Who will benefit by using the Portal?
ARNG State Dental Officers (SDOs), Staff, and Contractors.
What will I find on the Portal?
Package guidance for contractors to ensure compliance with dental examination standards and prevent Soldier re-examination. "Tools" are compiled in a user-friendly, easily web accessible one-stop-resource area.
Why is some dental treatment not paid for by ARNG?
Congress has authorized treatment to meet deployment requirements only. The ARNG can not pay for treatment that goes beyond readiness requirements. The TRICARE Dental Plan (insurance) is available to provide comprehensive care. This plan entails premiums and deductibles. To learn about TRICARE go to: http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/ProfileFilter.do?puri=%2Fhome%2FDental%2FNGR
I am a contractor. How does the Portal help me better serve my customer?
The portal contains a wealth of information on dental readiness processing procedures and requirements. The portal will assist contractors in meeting those standards in an effective manner. Knowledge of portal contents will reduce time and hassles at Soldier readiness processing sites. By knowing and understanding the dental requirements and limitations, you will be able to provide a better product and accurate pricing. You can also standardize your providers in the understanding of ARNG dental operations.
Do my braces need to come off before I can deploy?
No, regulations do not require removal of orthodontic appliances (braces) for deployment. However, orthodontic appliances require regular professional attention. Untended appliances can cause more harm than good. Therefore, for deployments longer than six months removal is very strongly recommended. For all deployments the stability of the appliances must be evaluated and they must be placed in an inactive and secured status.
What is the Dental Fitness Classification system?
The Dental Fitness Classification is the primary measure of a Soldier's dental readiness. The commander can use the dental fitness classification of unit personnel as an index of dental preparedness and to identify individuals who will require treatment during mobilization. The Department of Defense Dental Classification Guideline and AR 40-35 outline the following dental fitness classifications. Standardized Dental Fitness Classifications*
* A Synopsis of Reference: DoD Health Affairs: Policy 02-011 on Standardization of Oral Health and Readiness Classifications, 4 June 2004.
Health Affairs Policy # 02-011, DoD Oral Health and Readiness Classification System
Class 1: Worldwide Deployable with no further treatment required. |
Class 2: Worldwide Deployable with need for non-urgent routine treatment. |
Class 3: Nondeployable without treatment for urgent conditions that likely will cause a dental emergency within 12 months. |
Class 4: Nondeployable with no examination documented within the past 12 months. |
* A Synopsis of Reference: DoD Health Affairs: Policy 02-011 on Standardization of Oral Health and Readiness Classifications, 4 June 2004.
Health Affairs Policy # 02-011, DoD Oral Health and Readiness Classification System
How can I get to the online TRICARE website?
Please visit the TRICARE website: http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/Dental/NGR
How do I get my FREE dental readiness care?
You will receive information on this at a later date from an ARNG Supercard (large postcard) that you will receive in your USPS mailbox.
How can I get complete dental care?
As a reservist, much of the costs of the TRICARE Dental Plan have already been paid for by Congress for you and your family. This dental plan will allow access to complete dental care at a greatly reduced cost to you. Follow the link to TRICARE Dental Plan for more information. http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/Dental/NGR
