Royal Army Dental Corps
Encyclopedia
The Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) is a specialist corps
in the British Army
that provides dental care services to British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace. The Corps are a part of the British Army's Army Medical Services
.
The Corps does not carry any battle honour
s, Regimental Colour or Queen's Colour.
Currently, the Corps maintains alliances with the Dental Branch of the Canadian Forces
, the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps
and the Royal New Zealand Dental 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
.
s are all Commissioned Officers. Non-commissioned officer
s may be:
Before the Second World War, ADC recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 2 inches 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).
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
that provides dental care services to British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace. The Corps are a part of the British Army's Army Medical Services
Army Medical Services
The Army Medical Services is the organisation responsible for administering the four separate corps that deliver medical, veterinary, dental and nursing services in the British Army...
.
The Corps does not carry any battle honour
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
s, Regimental Colour or Queen's Colour.
Currently, the Corps maintains alliances with the Dental Branch of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
, the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps
Royal Australian Army Dental Corps
The Royal Australian Army Dental Corps is a corps within the Australian Army. It was formed on 23 April 1943 during World War II as the Australian Army Dental Corps, before being granted the 'Royal' prefix in 1948. Prior to its formation dentists were part of the Australian Army Medical Corps...
and the Royal New Zealand Dental Corps.
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 CorpsRoyal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
(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
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Royal Army Dental Corps specialisations
Qualified dentistDentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
s are all Commissioned Officers. Non-commissioned officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
s may be:
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Nurse
- Dental Technician
Before the Second World War, ADC recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 2 inches 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
Aldershot
Aldershot is a town in the English county of Hampshire, located on heathland about southwest of London. The town is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council...
, 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).