Dental
Services Provided
- Dental Readiness
- Oral Health
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Endodontics
- Orthodontics
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Orofacial Pain
- Maxillofacial Prosthetics
Eligibility
Active Duty
The primary mission of the 59th Dental Group (DG) is to maximize the dental readiness and oral health of active duty members. Priority for access to care within any Air Force Dental Clinic is governed by Air Force Manual 47-101. A Group Policy letter establishing priority for care categories of active duty personnel is available at the reception areas of all 59 DG clinics.
Space Available (all others)
By Air Force Instruction, non-urgent dental care for all non-active duty patients is "Space Available" and is extremely limited. Availability of appointments for non-active duty beneficiaries varies greatly throughout the year. For more information on Space Available appointments, please contact the appropriate dental clinic listed on this page.
Active duty family members are strongly encouraged to enroll in the
TRICARE Dental Program. By law, family members enrolled in the TDP are not authorized space-available dental care for procedures covered by the insurance plan. Retirees and their family members are encouraged to enroll in a dental plan offered through the
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
Specialty Care (all beneficiaries)
In some instances, patients may have specific dental needs that make them suitable for selection as candidates for our specialty care programs: periodontics, prosthodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, oral maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, orofacial pain or maxillofacial prosthetics.
For active duty beneficiaries, if you are identified as a candidate for specialty care, your primary dental care provider will consult with you on your dental needs and make the necessary specialty referrals. In addition, they will provide you with information on the appointment process for your specific dental needs.
For non-active duty beneficiaries, a referral is required from your civilian dental provider along with a current dental x-ray.
After Hours Dental Emergency Care
For after-hours dental emergencies, patients will need to contact the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center's Family Emergency Care Clinic at 210-292-7331.
Care will be provided to patients who have the following conditions:
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Pain that cannot be relieved by pain medicine
- Minor trauma/injury
The following ARE considered to be dental emergencies:
Patients with the following conditions should report to the San Antonio Military Medical Center Emergency Department.
- Severe trauma/injury to the face or jaw
- Any potentially life-threatening condition
The following are generally NOT considered to be dental emergencies:
- Loose teeth (adult or baby teeth) unless associated with trauma/injury
- Loose permanent or temporary crowns
- Broken fillings or teeth that occur while eating
- Minor gum irritation
Active duty family members and retirees enrolled in dental insurance plans should make every effort to contact their civilian dentist for urgent care needs prior to contacting the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center Family Emergency Care Clinic.
Dental Options Outside of Military Dental Clinics
For dental care outside of a military dental clinic, TRICARE offers dental coverage for service members, families and survivors. Additionally, retired service members, their families and certain survivors may qualify to purchase dental coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.
To learn more and see which plan you may use, visit www.tricare.mil/dental