Pneumonia, Lisp, Cavities

NYGiants10

New Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2016
Messages
3
Hi, I will be taking the Dodmerb soon and have a few questions about filling out the medical history forms. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

"Learning disabilities or speech problem" - When I was 4, I had a minor lisp and was in "speech therapy" once a week at school where I practiced playing word games with other kids. I don't remember much about it, but my mom says my speech was perfect by 1st grade, but I was technically still in the speech therapy through 2nd grade. My speech has been and is now perfect. Do I need to check yes for this one?

"Tooth/gum trouble, or current orthodontics" - When in grade school I consumed a lot more candy than is healthy and ended up with multiple cavities and even a root canal. I also had braces in middle school and now wear a retainer. Additionally, I had my wisdom teeth removed a few years ago. My teeth have been close to perfectly healthy for around 4 years now. Do I need to check yes for this one?

"Consulted, or been treated by clinics, hospitals, physicians, healers, or other practitioners for other than minor illnesses" and "Had an injury or illness other than those already noted" - About 7 months ago I had pneumonia for about two weeks. I went to the doctor, healed well, and have a note saying I was fully recovered by 6 months ago. Is pneumonia just a "minor illness"? Do I need to check yes for either/both of these?

Any information about any of these topics would be greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Pneumonia - minor illness (unless you were hospitalized)
Wisdom teeth removal is a surgery so it should be reported. State what teeth were removed, no complications and fully recovered (as long as that is true)
Braces if removed do not need to be reported since it is not current. Is the retainer removable? Are you required to wear it? Most orthodontists recommend that you wear your retainer at least once a month for life. I would not consider a temporary retainer orthodontics.
Cavities and root canal I would not consider trouble but routine and does not need to be reported.
Speech therapy is a hard one. It is not asking if you ever had speech therapy. It is asking if you ever had a speech problem Did a physician ever diagnose you with a lisp or speech defect?. Most likely not. So I don't think you have anything to report.
 
Pneumonia - minor illness (unless you were hospitalized)
Wisdom teeth removal is a surgery so it should be reported. State what teeth were removed, no complications and fully recovered (as long as that is true)
Braces if removed do not need to be reported since it is not current. Is the retainer removable? Are you required to wear it? Most orthodontists recommend that you wear your retainer at least once a month for life. I would not consider a temporary retainer orthodontics.
Cavities and root canal I would not consider trouble but routine and does not need to be reported.
Speech therapy is a hard one. It is not asking if you ever had speech therapy. It is asking if you ever had a speech problem Did a physician ever diagnose you with a lisp or speech defect?. Most likely not. So I don't think you have anything to report.
Thanks!

I have one removable retainer that I wear at night and one very small permanent retainer that is connected to the back of my front bottom teeth. It it is hard to see without looking specifically for it and I can't feel it being there. Do you think this could be an issue? And what category would this go under?

My mom says she doesn't think a physician ever said anything about the lisp, but doesn't have my medical records from back then so isn't sure. Will Dodmerb access my medical records besides what I provide them?

Thanks again.
 
If it is a permanent retainer it needs to be reported. I think there is an orthodontia form that would need to be completed. Others know more about braces and orthodontia, hopefully they will chime in.

It is most important to be truthful when filling out the DoDMERB medical form. It is not the consequences of DoDMERB finding out, but it is the consequences when it if revealed or found out later on, like when they do a security clearance. If you believe to the best of your recollection that you were not diagnosed with a lisp, don't report it. If you believe you were, then report it. State the facts, state that it was resolved, has not reoccurred, and not subsequent therapy was required.
 
If it is a permanent retainer it needs to be reported. I think there is an orthodontia form that would need to be completed. Others know more about braces and orthodontia, hopefully they will chime in.

It is most important to be truthful when filling out the DoDMERB medical form. It is not the consequences of DoDMERB finding out, but it is the consequences when it if revealed or found out later on, like when they do a security clearance. If you believe to the best of your recollection that you were not diagnosed with a lisp, don't report it. If you believe you were, then report it. State the facts, state that it was resolved, has not reoccurred, and not subsequent therapy was required.
Thank you!

I don't want to lie, especially about such a minor issue, I just want to know whether they'll be able to access my medical records because I don't have them.
 
Thank you!

I don't want to lie, especially about such a minor issue, I just want to know whether they'll be able to access my medical records because I don't have them.

Both of my sons were in speech therapy for almost their entire time in elementary school. Neither should have been in there that long, but I always suspected the school needed the numbers. Both speak perfectly now.

One is s Firstie, and one is a Plebe.

None of your items should be an issue.
 
I have the same question as NYGiants10 in regards to my DD permanent lower retainer (permanent only to the extent that it can easily be removed by an orthodontist). She uses a removable retainer for her upper teeth nightly, but the orthodontist recommended to place the permanent retainer (behind lower front teeth, can not be seen and poses no speak issues) in for convenience sake, all this was done after her braces came off before ninth grade. There is no underlying problem for its need. She is no longer being followed by the orthodontist because all work is complete. Is this a DQ issue? If so, we will clearly get it removed and use a removable instead.
 
I would check 'No' to all of those queries.
 
I have the same question as NYGiants10 in regards to my DD permanent lower retainer (permanent only to the extent that it can easily be removed by an orthodontist). She uses a removable retainer for her upper teeth nightly, but the orthodontist recommended to place the permanent retainer (behind lower front teeth, can not be seen and poses no speak issues) in for convenience sake, all this was done after her braces came off before ninth grade. There is no underlying problem for its need. She is no longer being followed by the orthodontist because all work is complete. Is this a DQ issue? If so, we will clearly get it removed and use a removable instead.

My son went through the Academy and graduated with his permanent lower retainer in place and it was never an issue.

Stealth_81
 
Back
Top