Presidio of Monterey Dental Clinic Boosts Preparedness with Advanced Technology
September 6, 2025 – The Presidio of Monterey (PoM) Dental Clinic is setting a new standard in military dental care by embracing cutting-edge digital dentistry technologies to enhance the readiness and overall health of service members stationed at the facility.
Revolutionizing Military Dental Care
Under the leadership of Dr. (Maj.) Dustin Davis, officer in charge and a dedicated Army dentist with eight years of experience across various Army dental facilities, the PoM Dental Clinic has emerged as one of the most technologically advanced clinics in the Army system. Dr. Davis emphasizes the clinic’s commitment to leveraging digital dentistry as the future of oral health care, enabling rapid and efficient treatment processes that directly benefit operational readiness.
“Digital dentistry signifies the future of oral health,” said Dr. Davis. “With this innovative technology, a crown replacement can be accomplished within a single day, a process that typically requires eight to ten weeks in conventional dental settings.”
From Weeks to Hours: The Digital Dentistry Advantage
Traditionally, getting a dental crown involved a cumbersome procedure that entailed taking impressions with uncomfortable materials, shipping molds to a remote facility at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and then waiting weeks for the permanent crown to be manufactured and delivered. During this waiting period, service members had to rely on temporary crowns, which often lasted just one to two weeks before failing.
“This prolonged process means multiple sick call appointments, forcing service members to miss critical training time and endure the discomfort of missing teeth,” explained Dr. Davis. “Such interruptions can negatively impact both their training and quality of life.”
In contrast, the digital dentistry workflow employed at the PoM clinic streamlines the creation and placement of dental crowns onsite within a single appointment, eliminating long wait times and improving patient comfort and mission effectiveness.
A Cultural and Technical Shift
Transitioning to digital dentistry was no small feat for the clinic staff. Extensive on-the-job training was necessary as dental technicians moved from familiar traditional molding techniques to mastering advanced digital manufacturing technologies.
“We had to place our trust in the new system and leave behind long-established practices to embrace this innovative approach to care,” shared Erica Flores, a registered dental assistant at the clinic.
The digital transformation at PoM owes much to Dr. Michael Kroll, a digital dentistry expert and the previous officer in charge, who laid the groundwork to fully transition the clinic to a digital platform.
Enhanced Safety and Sterilization Protocols
Beyond dental procedures, the PoM clinic has implemented rigorous sterilization protocols that surpass typical civilian standards. While most dental offices operate a single sterilization room, the PoM clinic utilizes separate dirty and clean zones with a thorough pass-through cleaning system. Each sterilization cycle is verified through multiple tests, including temperature-sensitive tape to ensure proper heat levels and the use of filtered water to cleanse instruments.
“This high level of safety ensures that our service members receive care under the most hygienic and secure conditions possible,” added Dr. Davis.
Detailed records of sterilization processes are meticulously maintained, reinforcing the clinic’s commitment to patient safety.
Mission-Ready Through Innovation
The comprehensive integration of digital manufacturing technologies and advanced sterilization methods positions the Presidio of Monterey Dental Clinic as a leader in military oral health care. By enabling faster treatment times, reducing patient discomfort, and minimizing training disruptions, the clinic significantly contributes to keeping service members healthy and mission-ready.
As Dr. Davis concluded, “I believe our clinic stands unparalleled in the Army. The Army equips us with the technology necessary to provide top-tier, safe care to our service members. To date, I have not seen a fully digital dental clinic elsewhere in the Army.”
Source: Dvidshub.net
Reported by: RS Web Solutions
This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available sources. RS Web Solutions strives for accuracy but cannot guarantee all content. Views expressed are those of the author. Some content was created with AI assistance and reviewed for clarity.
