Joint Base San Antonio > News

59th Dental Group changes command
July 14, 2023 — The Department of Defense’s largest dental service welcomed a new commander during the 59th Dental Group change of command ceremony on July 13, 2023, at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas... MORE

Service members stand for "presentation of colors"

Airmen urged to maintain healthy dental habits during COVID-19 pandemic
April 27, 2020 — In March, the U.S. Air Force began deferring routine and non-urgent dental care to slow the spread of COVID-19. In alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Dental Association and Department of Defense policies, most dental care has been deferred, with the exception of emergencies, cases considered medically necessary, and care for deploying and deployed personnel... MORE

Tips for maintaining healthy dental habits during COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Medical, dental elective procedures will be postponed 60 days due to COVID-19
March 25, 2020 — As of March 31, all military treatment facilities and dental treatment facilities will postpone elective surgeries and procedures for 60 days, the Department of Defense announced March 25. The policy applies to all beneficiaries: active duty service members and their families, retirees, and Reserve and National Guard service members on active duty or a delayed effective date active-duty order... MORE

Lori Elliott, 325th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron dental technician, examines a patient at Tyndall Air Force Base, Mar. 4, 2020. Dental assistants are recognized for the critical part they play in patient care. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Kayla Fitzgerald)

Proper dental care can prevent disease
January 26, 2017 — More than fighting bad breath or preventing gingivitis, research shows that dental health also contributes to the overall well-being of Airmen. ... MORE

59th TRG molds new Airmen
December 14, 2016 — MORE

Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Blades, a dental laboratory apprentice course instructor, demonstrates a technique for carving out partial dentures at the Medical Education and Training Campus on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Oct. 20, 2016. Blades is one of 10 Air Force instructors, all of whom are assigned to the 381st Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)

59th TRG shapes future AF dental assistants
November 14, 2016 — MORE

Tech. Sgt. Christy Nixon, Instructor supervisor of the Air Force Dental Assistant Training program, gives students a glimpse of the restorative materials they will work with during training Oct. 20, 2016 at the Medical Education and Training Campus on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. The dental assistant apprentice course is one of four courses taught at the 381st Training Squadron, a unit of the 59th Training Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)

What is xylitol?
August 10, 2016 — If you have visited a dental clinic in the last five years, you have probably heard the dentist, hygienist, or technician mention xylitol (pronounced zy-li-tawl). But what is it? Xylitol is a sugar... MORE

Xylitol is an all-natural sweetener that reduces harmful bacteria in the mouth. Dentists recommend products with xylitol in them; it offers many health benefits and has fewer calories than regular sugar. (Courtesy graphic)