Active 1921 – present Branch British Army Part of Army Medical Services | Country United Kingdom Role Dental support | |
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Motto(s) Ex Dentibus Ensis
(from the teeth a sword) | ||
The Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) is a specialist corps in the British Army that provides oral hygiene services to British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace. The corps is a part of the British Army's Army Medical Services.
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History
While army regimental surgeons had been providing dental care services to soldiers since circa 1660, it was not until 1901 that a dental service branch was formally established under the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). In 1921, dentists of the RAMC were split off into a separate Army Dental Corps (ADC). The corps was awarded the "royal" prefix to become the Royal Army Dental Corps in November 1946 in recognition of its service in World War II.
Royal Army Dental Corps specialisations
Qualified dentists are all commissioned officers. Dental nurses are non-commissioned officers.
Before the Second World War, ADC recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) 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, 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).