Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 8/24/2009

Question
I want to join the military but I need quite a bit of dental work. Will this disqualify me? I have never been to a dentist so I cant give specifics but I know I need some major work.


Answer
Nichole,
Normally dental work is not a disqualifier unless you have something really strange.  Here's a direct quote from the military's medical regulations for enntry.
 
"The causes for rejection are for appointment, enlistment, and induction are:

a. Diseases of the jaw or associated tissues which are not easily remediable, and will incapacitate the individual or otherwise prevent the satisfactory performance of duty.  This includes temporomandibular disorders and/or myofascial pain dysfunction that is not easily corrected or has the potential for significant future problems with pain and function.

b. Severe malocclusion that interferes with normal mastication or requires early and protracted treatment; or relationship between mandible and maxilla that prevents satisfactory future prosthodontic replacement.

c. Insufficient natural healthy teeth or lack of a serviceable prosthesis, preventing adequate mastication and incision of a normal diet. This includes complex (multiple fixture) dental implant systems that have associated complications that severely limit assignments and adversely affect performance of world-wide duty.  Dental implants systems must be successfully osseointegrated and completed.

d. Orthodontic appliances for continued treatment (attached or removable). Retainer appliances are permissible, provided all active orthodontic treatment has been satisfactorily completed."

So as you can see, most dental work like fillings, dentures, etc. are OK.
Good luck on your trip to the dentist.
Colonel H