Dental DQs

[USMA2016]

Hey everyone,

I got the letter with all the dental information and I'm a tad confused. They said "Oral Surgery" was a dental DQ and then they started talking about wisdom teeth. Do they have to be removed prior to R-Day? My dad is actually a dentist and he said that my mouth really doesn't need them to be removed if they don't have to be. So is it required?

 

[debcst]

No, definitely not required to have them out. My son is in the same position- not recommended to have his out.

Have you received the dental packet that WP mailed out a couple of weeks ago? Check the letter in there for specifics to reassure yourself on this point (second paragraph).

Hope this helps.

 

[2016NJDad]

Dental Question

My son had root canal work done 4 years ago. All check ups are good and has no other dental issues not even any cavities. Will this create any problems. He has been accepted into the class of 2016 USMA. Thanks

 

[MD Dad]

For anyone else interested in information about wisdom teeth, the following excerpt is from the "Dental Frequently Asked Questions" item that appeared on my DS's portal after he accepted his appointment (maybe the same information that is in the dental packet, which he hasn't received yet).

*******************

Is it true that all wisdom teeth have to be extracted?
No, not all wisdom teeth must be extracted. But, statistically, we know that a large percentage of patients do not have the space in their jaws to accommodate wisdom teeth in a healthy manner. We do have an oral surgeon on the DENTAC staff, but one surgeon would never be able to remove all the wisdom teeth that needed to be extracted for over 4,000 cadets. If your dentist advises you to have your wisdom teeth removed, we very strongly encourage you to have the procedure completed before you report to West Point. In our experience, the adjustment to West Point- including military training, academics, and the multitude of other cadet activities- results in a lower personal priority being placed on health concerns, until they become an emergency. Treatment and recovery at home would be much easier without all the other demands on a cadet's time, and remove one more concern that the new cadet will have to deal with during the adjustment.