Dental Corps celebrates 92nd birthday

27 Aug 2004 | Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Standing side by side with the Marine Corps and wearing the same uniform with as much pride as Marines, the Parris Island Navy personnel have played a key role in helping Parris Island train recruits to become Marines.

Established in August of 1912, the Naval Dental Corps has now completed its 92nd year in notable existence. They have supported the United States Marines during times of war and peace.

Sailors and Marines celebrated the anniversary of the establishment of the Navy Dental Corps at the Depot Naval Dental Clinic Aug. 20.

"The Navy Dental Corps anniversary represents a lineage or heritage of people who have come before you and where you will go in the future," said Capt. Steven Clarke, commanding officer of the Dental Center.

As it is tradition in the Marine Corps for the oldest Marine to pass on his knowledge and wisdom of the Marine Corps to the youngest Marine, symbolized by eating a piece of cake, it is the same with the Navy.

The 'most seasoned' Dental Corps officer, Cmdr. Charles Tremann, the department head for recruit in-processing, and the youngest Dental Corps officer, Lt. Caleb Robinson, an Advanced Education and General Dentistry resident, shared the first piece of cake.

Even before their 92nd birthday, the Navy has always taken on an essential role in the Marine Corps. Aboard the Depot, they handle more than 1,100 recruits and more than 130 Marine appointments a week.

According to Capt. Kent Knudson, executive officer of the Dental Center, the dental demands aboard Parris Island are extremely unique in that they deal with a large workload of both recruits and permanent personnel Marines.

According to Clarke, it is an enjoyable experience nonetheless.

"It is an honor and privilege for a Naval doctor to serve with the Marines," said Clarke.
Growing from an insignificant number of 35 active duty dental officers during World War I, the Navy has since then sparked an interest in people and raised the current number of dental officers to more than 1,200 active duty Navy Dental Corps officers.

Although younger than the Nurse, Medical and Hospital Corps, the Dental Corps remains just as vital to Naval and Marine Corps operations, and the completion of the Parris Island Marines' mission to train Marines is assisted by the hands of Navy corpsmen and Navy doctors.

Marine Corps Training and Education Command