Dental technicians have a unique mission
By Master Sgt. Kimberly A. Yearyean-Siers , 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
/ Published November 09, 2009
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Dental technician Staff Sgt. Dinah Laduke (left), Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Element NCO-in-charge, helps Army Maj. (Dr.) Thomas Gunnell, oral maxillofacial prosthodontics fellow, apply a mold compound to Marine Sgt. Wade Knight's ears. Dr. Gunnel made molds of Sergeant Knight's ears Oct. 27 at the MacKown Dental Clinic, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The molds will be used to make prosthetic ears for Marine Capt. Ryan Voltin. Both Captain Voltin and Sergeant Knight were injured in Iraq and met at the Warrior Transition Program, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Major Gunnel and Sergeant Laduke are assigned to the 59th Dental Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kimberly A. Yearyean-Siers)
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Dental technician Staff Sgt. Dinah Laduke, Maxillofacial, 59th Dental Training Squadron, NCO-in-charge Prosthodontics Element, prepares plaster for making molds of Marine Sgt. Wade Knight's ears at MacKown Dental Clinic, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 27. Sergeant Knight's ears were used as models to make fellow Marine and wounded warrior Capt. Ryan Voltin a set of prosthetic ears. Both Captain Voltin and Sergeant Knight were injured in Iraq and met at the Warrior Transition Program, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kimberly A. Yearyean-Siers)
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Army Maj. (Dr.) Thomas Gunnell, oral maxillofacial prosthodontics fellow (left), measures the position of Marine Sgt. Wade Knight's ears with the help of dental technician Staff Sgt. Dinah Laduke, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Element NCO-in-charge, Oct. 27 at MacKown Dental Clinic, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Sergeant Knight had molds made of ears as part of a procedure to make prosthetic ears for fellow wounded warrior Marine Capt. Ryan Voltin. Major Gunnell and Sergeant Laduke are assigned to the 59th Dental Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kimberly A. Yearyean-Siers)
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
The job of a dental assistant, at first glance, seems pretty cut and dry. Looking deeper, there is more than just "cleaning teeth and sucking spit."
One of the opportunities available in this career field is working with patients who need facial prosthetics.
The 59th Medical Wing's Maxillofacial Prosthetics Department here is one of the few places in the Air Force where a dental technician can get this experience. The position is currently filled by Staff Sgt. Dinah LaDuke, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Element, NCO in charge.
"We see patients, both young and old, who have either been hurt in the war or have gone through the battle with cancer," Sergeant Laduke said. "Many of the wounded warriors we see have suffered burn injuries to their ears or nose and are going through extensive reconstructive rehabilitation."
Sergeant LaDuke's department makes prosthetic body parts, such as eyes, ears and noses, to treat these patients and restore both their physical and psychological well-being. Patients are referred to the department from various departments, including plastic surgery; ear, nose and throat; radiology and oncology; and ophthalmology.
"I do a lot of administrative work and coordinating with patients from different facilities," Sergeant LaDuke said. "I also explain to the patient what we are going to do to help them feel comfortable with the procedure."
Yet, according to those who work with her, she does so much more. She is responsible for assisting the doctors in the procedures and preparing materials they use. Sergeant LaDuke, who has been doing the job for three years, also provides continuity since a new dentist is chosen for the fellowship each year.
"The dental technician is an integral part of the team, especially for the fellow," said Army Maj. (Dr.) Thomas Gunnell, oral maxillofacial prosthodontics fellow. "Sergeant LaDuke is a great asset, as she has extensive knowledge and displays compassion for every patient."
Sergeant LaDuke has 13 years experience as a dental technician and credits this for her success.
"What helped me was obtaining knowledge and experience in prosthodontics and learning compassion by working with a wide range of people," Sergeant LaDuke said. "I get a great feeling of satisfaction helping restore a person's appearance to what it was before, and working with and getting to know the wounded warriors. Their amazing stories are truly awesome."