The dental division on board the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) acquired and implemented a dental CAD/CAM system earlier this year that has greatly increased the ship's ability to provide better dental care to sailors in the Pacific Fleet.
The Frank Cable is the first ship in the Pacific Fleet to implement this dental technology, according to a story by the Navy News Service. In addition to sailors onboard the Frank Cable, the dental division serves the tended submarines of Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, and surface ships of U.S. Seventh Fleet.
In the past, sailors needing to have crown portions of their teeth rebuilt would have to wait two to eight weeks for the fabrication of their dental restorations to be completed on board or shipped to and from stateside laboratories due to the ship's older technology and forward-deployed location, noted CmDr. Harold Zald, senior dental officer onboard Frank Cable.
But now, "One-day service is a reality for our sailors," he stated. "The sailor is now able to return to their duties in a shorter amount of time and with fewer appointments, which saves the Navy in lost man-hours."
Patient acceptance of this new technology has been very high due to quick turnaround times, added Lt. David Burke, a general dental officer aboard the Frank Cable.
"With this new digital system, we can prepare teeth, obtain highly accurate digital images, make needed corrections, and, in short order, do a digital, 3D design at chairside, and complete the dental treatment in one day," he said.
