Hey all, I tried the "search" but came up with nothing that helps me much.

How important is it to have decent teeth? I know that in basic they check your teeth, and I have horrible teeth. The enamel is ridiculously thin and I have no insurance to fix them as of now. I have several cavities, and I would be surprised if I did not need at least one root canal. How will this affect me at basic? Do they work on your teeth while you are there? ...and if they do, am I right to assume that I cannot use the anesthetic that puts you to sleep?

Thank you for any/all comments.

No authority on the subject by any means but I did talk to a recruiter (friend of mine- nothing official) about it the other day.
He said that with cavities they might ask if they are bothering you- if not then they don't have a problem with it.

I however need to get mine fixed before hand- need at least three root canals and a few posts. I have horrid teeth, bad enamel as well.

Suppose they are only bothering me occasionally, I can just wait until after basic when I have more time on my hands?

They will classify you based on your dental exam. You classification will determine your ability to go to sea. They will fix your teeth so you can go to sea. The worse your teeth are, the more they will do early in your career to fix them.

THEY determie the timeline for fixing your teeth, with some work (pulling wisdom teeth) occurring at boot. You dont have much say. They do what they need to do to keep you world wide assignable at all times.

I was thinking MEPS- not past that.

I need to get mine fixed before I even darken the door of MEPS.

My response is based on your profile showing you would be a drilling reservist.

While in recruit training the Navy would take care of any dental issues, once you are released and sent to your reserve unit as a drilling reservist, you will only receive an annual dental exam. If you need a cavity filled, cleaning, root canal, or whatever, it is at your expense, and you are required to get it done by your civilian provider lest you are subject to administrative sanctions.

If you are speaking of me being a drilling reservist, it is only because that is the best I could think of for being in DEP.

quote:

Originally posted by i_am_pumpkin_man:
If you are speaking of me being a drilling reservist, it is only because that is the best I could think of for being in DEP.

IRR is the best representation, as you are not drilling. You are IRR