Buckley opens state-of-the-art dental clinic, first time since WWII

From left to right, Chief Master Sgt. Randy Lightsey, Dental Corps functional manager at Joint-Base San Antonio, Texas, Col. David Miller Jr., 460th Space Wing commander, Col. Matthew Hanson, 460th Medical Group commander, Maj. Gen. Roosevelt Allen, Medical Operations and Research Director and Chief of the Dental Corps Office of the Surgeon General in Washington D.C., Mark Spradling, Doyon Construction Group program manager, Neal Parker, engineer at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the dental clinic Jan. 30, 2017, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. The clinic will consist of 21 active-duty employees and will treat over 3,500 active-duty military members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jacob Deatherage/Released)

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Buckley opens state-of-the-art dental clinic, first time since WWII

Maj. Gen. Roosevelt Allen, Medical Operations and Research Director and Chief of the Dental Corps Office of the Surgeon General in Washington D.C., speaks to Team Buckley at the 460th Medical Group grand opening of the dental clinic on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. This marks the first time in 31 years since the Air Force has built a new dental clinic from the ground up. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jacob Deatherage/Released)

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Buckley opens state-of-the-art dental clinic, first time since WWII

Maj. Gen. Roosevelt Allen, Medical Operations and Research Director and Chief of the Dental Corps Office of the Surgeon General in Washington D.C., listens to Tech. Sgt. Jacqueline Woodard, 460th Medical Group dental technician, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. Prior to the opening of the dental clinic, Buckley beneficiaries were required to receive treatment at off-base facilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jacob Deatherage/Released)

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Buckley opens state-of-the-art dental clinic, first time since WWII

From left to right, Chief Master Sgt. Rodney Lindsey, 460th Space Wing command chief, Maj. Gen. Roosevelt Allen, Medical Operations and Research Director and Chief of the Dental Corps Office of the Surgeon General in Washington D.C., and Col. David Miller Jr., 460th SW commander, discuss the opening of the new dental clinic Jan. 30, 2017, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. The new dental clinic will consist of 21 active-duty employees and will treat over 3,500 active-duty military members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jacob Deatherage/Released)

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Buckley opens state-of-the-art dental clinic, first time since WWII

Maj. Gen. Roosevelt Allen, Medical Operations and Research Director and Chief of the Dental Corps Office of the Surgeon General in Washington D.C., and members from the 460th Space Wing stand in front of the new dental clinic Jan. 30, 2017, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. This is the first time since World War II that Buckley has had a dental clinic on base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jacob Deatherage/Released)

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Buckley opens state-of-the-art dental clinic, first time since WWII

Published Jan. 30, 2017
By Airman Jacob Deatherage
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 460th Medical Group hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Jan. 30, to celebrate the completion of the new dental clinic on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.

The clinic, built by Doyon Construction Group, will consist of 21 active-duty employees and will treat over 3,500 active-duty members.

“It’s about ensuring that we have a ready force,” said Maj. Gen. Roosevelt Allen, Medical Operations and Research Director and Chief of the Dental Corps Office of the Surgeon General in Washington D.C. “A force that is able to pick up, pack up, deploy and go wherever they are needed. And for a number of the warriors here, that mission is right here at home base. With this facility, we will be able to support them.”

Until today, Buckley has been the only base in the Air Force without a dental clinic on base. Prior to the opening of the clinic, military members and civilians from Buckley AFB were required to receive dental treatment from an off-base facility.

“The never fail warning and surveillance missions that are conducted here at Buckley demand a continuous high-level of medical readiness that would be impossible before today,” said Col. Matthew Hanson, 460th MDG commander.

This project will reduce the productivity lost when beneficiaries go off base for dental care and provide commanders with better awareness of the dental readiness of their personnel.

This also marks the first time in 31 years since the Air Force has constructed a dental clinic from the ground up, including the training of the individuals working in the clinic, and the first time since World War II that Buckley has had a dental clinic.

“The care that is going to be delivered is the same type of care that you and I expect to receive from any other facility,” said Allen. “The care will be high quality, preventative and the best care for our beneficiaries.”