The Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) was a specialist

corps Corps (; plural ''corps'' ; from French , from the Latin "body") is a term used for several different kinds of organization. A military innovation by Napoleon I, the formation was formally introduced March 1, 1800, when Napoleon ordered Gener ...

in the

British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...

that provided dental health services to British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace. The corps was awarded the "royal" prefix to become the Royal Army Dental Corps in November 1946 in recognition of its service in the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. In November 2024, the corps was amalgamated with the

Royal Army Medical Corps The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) was a specialist corps in the British Army which provided medical services to all Army personnel and their families, in war and in peace. On 15 November 2024, the corps was amalgamated with the Royal Army De ...

and

Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC; known as ''the QAs'') was the nursing branch of the British Army Army Medical Services, Medical Services. In November 2024, the corps was amalgamated with the Royal Army Medical Corps and Ro ...

to form the

Royal Army Medical Service The Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS) is a specialist corps in the British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigad ...

History

The Royal Army Dental Corps traces its roots back to the formation of the Army Dental Service (ADS) in 1901, during the Boer War. At that time, dental care for soldiers was limited, and the Army recognized the need for a dedicated dental corps to address oral health issues in the military. In 1899, there was no dental care provided for troops fighting in the

Anglo-Boer War The Second Boer War (, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, Transvaal War, Anglo–Boer War, or South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer republics (the South African Republic an ...

in South Africa. This resulted in more than 2,000 men being sent back home and 5,000 being classed as unfit for duty due to dental problems. Following the war, in 1908, the ADS was disbanded, but the need for a specialized dental service remained apparent.Gilles Dussault, "The Professionalisation of Dentistry in Britain: A Study of Occupational Strategies, 1900-1957", unpublished PhD thesis, Bedford College, London, 1981, p.132
/ref> On 1 June 1921, the Army Dental Corps (ADC) was established as a permanent branch of the British Army. Its primary objective was to provide comprehensive dental care to the troops, ranging from preventive dentistry to emergency treatments. The ADC quickly expanded its operations and recruited qualified dental professionals to meet the growing demand for dental services within the military. The Army Dental Corps had served around the world, in places like Germany, Gibraltar, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Burma, India, North China and the Caribbean. In November 1946, King George VI granted the 'Royal' prefix to the Corps, in recognition of its service in the Second World War, and a new cap badge was designed depicting the legend of

Cadmus In Greek mythology, Cadmus (; ) was the legendary Phoenician founder of Boeotian Thebes, Greece, Thebes. He was, alongside Perseus and Bellerophon, the greatest hero and slayer of monsters before the days of Heracles. Commonly stated to be a ...

The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H8305

The Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) has been involved in various wars and military operations throughout its history. Some of the major conflicts in which the RADC has played a role include: *

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

(1939-1945): The RADC played a crucial role during World War II, ensuring dental care for British military personnel. Dental officers were deployed alongside the armed forces in various theaters, setting up dental facilities in military bases, camps, and field hospitals. They provided routine dental care, emergency treatments, and contributed to the evacuation and treatment of wounded soldiers. They also assisted with injuries and rehabilitation – particularly involving facial and head wounds that compromised the mouth and jaw. *

Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...

(1950-1953): The RADC was involved in the provision of dental services during the Korean War. Dental officers were deployed to support British troops serving in Korea, establishing dental clinics and providing necessary treatment and care, including routine checkups and cleanings, and dental emergencies caused by combat-related trauma or accidents. *

Falklands War The Falklands War () was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British Overseas Territories, British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and Falkland Islands Dependenci ...

(1982): During the conflict between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, the RADC played a significant role in providing dental care to British forces. Dental officers were deployed to the Falkland Islands and aboard Royal Navy ships, ensuring dental services for the troops involved in the conflict. A dental officer's combat role included acting as a resuscitation officer attached to a field hospital or a field ambulance. *

Gulf War , combatant2 = , commander1 = , commander2 = , strength1 = Over 950,000 soldiers3,113 tanks1,800 aircraft2,200 artillery systems , page = https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-PEMD-96- ...

(1990-1991): The RADC was actively involved in providing dental care during the Gulf War. Dental officers were deployed to the theater of operations, establishing dental facilities and offering dental treatments to military personnel involved in the conflict. RADC provided emergency dental care to soldiers who experienced dental injuries caused by combat-related injuries, accidents, or other dental traumas. The British Army in Italy 1943 NA10237

Iraq War The Iraq War (), also referred to as the Second Gulf War, was a prolonged conflict in Iraq lasting from 2003 to 2011. It began with 2003 invasion of Iraq, the invasion by a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition, which ...

(2003-2011): The RADC played a crucial role in the dental care of British troops deployed to Iraq. Dental officers were stationed in military bases and field hospitals, providing dental services to soldiers in the theater of operations. RADC ensured that dental support was available to soldiers at forward operating bases (FOBs) and other military installations throughout Iraq. This involved deploying dental teams to FOBs and providing dental services in austere environments. RADC provided emergency dental care to soldiers who experienced dental injuries caused by combat-related injuries, accidents, or other dental traumas. *

Afghanistan War War in Afghanistan, Afghan war, or Afghan civil war may refer to: *Conquest of Afghanistan by Alexander the Great (330 BC – 327 BC), the conquest of Afghanistan by the Macedonian Empire * Muslim conquests of Afghanistan, a series of campaigns in ...

(2001-2014): During the conflict in Afghanistan, the RADC provided dental care to British military personnel deployed in the region. Dental officers were stationed in military bases and field hospitals, ensuring the oral health and well-being of the troops serving in the theater. Over 60 British military dental teams deployed as part of the UK Medical Group. The RADC also played a vital role in humanitarian missions, providing dental care to local populations in regions affected by conflicts or natural disasters. The corps collaborated with international organizations and participated in multinational exercises.

Amalgamation

The Secretary of State for Defence announced on 15 October 2024, that the RADC (fewer than 200 personnel) would amalgamate on 15 November 2024, with the

and

to form one unified corps, the

Dental officer training

Becoming a dental officer in the Royal Army Dental Corps started with the completion of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from a recognized dental school.

Joining the RADC

After completing their BDS degree, and registering with the General Dental Council (GDC), aspiring dental officers can apply to join the RADC. The Army Officer Selection (AOSB) is highly competitive and involves various assessments to evaluate the candidates' suitability for military service. This includes medical examinations, aptitude tests, interviews, and physical fitness assessments.

Basic Officer Training

Once selected, dental officers undergo the Commissioning Course Short at the

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS or RMA Sandhurst), commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is one of several military academy, military academies of the United Kingdom and is the British Army's initial Commissioned officer, officer train ...

. Dental officers are taught basic military, survival and weapon-handling skills, learn about military regulations, customs, and the importance of teamwork. This training instills the core values and ethos of the British Army which are designed to prepare them for military life. On completion of the course, they are commissioned into the Army Medical Services.

Specialized Military Dental Training

Dental officers will then attend the 14-week Army Medical Services Entry Officers' Course, which provides them with the specific knowledge required to begin their career as an Army Dentist. During this, dental officers receive advanced training in areas such as oral surgery, restorative dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, and prosthodontics. They learn to adapt their dental skills to the specific needs of soldiers, including trauma management, preventive dentistry in operational environments, and emergency dental care in the field.

Deployment and Continual Professional Development

Once dental officers have completed their Entry Officers' Course, they may be deployed to various military bases or operational areas. During deployments, they provide dental care to soldiers and ensure the maintenance of oral health in often challenging conditions. All Army Dentists can gain postgraduate qualifications throughout their careers such as the Diploma of Membership of the Joint Dental Faculty (MJDF) at the Royal College of Surgeons England.

Royal Army Dental Corps specialisations

Qualified

dentist A dentist, also known as a dental doctor, dental physician, dental surgeon, is a health care professional who specializes in dentistry, the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth. The dentist's supporting team aids in provi ...

s are all

commissioned officer An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service. Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer (NCO), or a warrant officer. However, absent ...

s. Dental nurses are

non-commissioned officer A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is an enlisted rank, enlisted leader, petty officer, or in some cases warrant officer, who does not hold a Commission (document), commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority b ...

s. Before the

, ADC recruits were required to be at least tall and could enlist up to 30 years of age. They initially enlisted for seven years with the colours and a further five years with the reserve. They trained at the Royal Army Medical Corps Depot, Crookham Camp,

Aldershot Aldershot ( ) is a town in the Rushmoor district, Hampshire, England. It lies on heathland in the extreme north-east corner of the county, south-west of London. The town has a population of 37,131, while the Farnborough/Aldershot built-up are ...

, before proceedings to specialist trade training. The two trades available at that time were Clerk Orderly (who assisted in the operating room and in clerical work) and Dental Mechanic (who worked in dental workshops).

War Office The War Office has referred to several British government organisations throughout history, all relating to the army. It was a department of the British Government responsible for the administration of the British Army between 1857 and 1964, at ...

, ''His Majesty's Army'', 1938

Alliances

* –

Royal Canadian Dental Corps The Royal Canadian Dental Corps (RCDC, ) is a personnel branch of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Most members of RCDC, along with the members of the Royal Canadian Medical Service, are employed in the Canadian Forces Health Services Group (CF ...

* – Royal Australian Army Dental Corps * – Royal New Zealand Dental Corps

Order of precedence

References

External links

Official siteRoyal Army Dental Corps Association
{{The British Army British administrative corps Corps of the British Army in World War II Dental organisations based in the United Kingdom Medical units and formations of the British Army Military dentistry Military units and formations established in 1921 1921 establishments in the United Kingdom