Feb. 13, 2014 Electronic cigarette use increasing among Airmen Electronic cigarette use is becoming a popular alternative to traditional cigarettes, but the upward trend is becoming a concern for health care providers. The battery-operated products, known as e-cigarettes, are designed to deliver nicotine, flavor, and other chemicals as a vapor that is inhaled
Feb. 5, 2014 Air Force Medical Service announces new senior enlisted advisor The Air Force Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas W. Travis, announced today that Chief Master Sgt. E. Jason Pace, Chief, Medical Enlisted Force, United States Forces in Europe (USAFE), will now take on the top AFMS-enlisted job in the United States Air Force.Chief Pace will assume the new
Feb. 4, 2014 Fluoride: What Do I Need to Know? Fluoride is a form of the naturally occurring element fluorine. Fluoride has been proven to be very effective at preventing cavities and making teeth resistant to the bacteria that live in our mouths. The optimal level of fluoride to actually achieve these positive results is very small. The
Jan. 31, 2014 Air Force Medical Service 2013 annual award winners announced It is with great pride that the Surgeon General's Medical Force Development Directorate announces the winners of the Air Force Medical Service Annual Award competition. The competition included individual and team awards, based on criteria outlined in AFI 36-2856, Medical Service Awards. The winners
Jan. 28, 2014 Military Health System leadership message - 100 days of the Defense Health Agency and reform We are 100 days into a multi-year period of significant change in how we manage and lead the Military Health System. We want to acknowledge the important changes that have already occurred, outline the major activities in the coming year that will demand our continued attention and discipline, and
Dec. 12, 2013 Gum chewing: a healthy habit Did you know that gum chewing can help prevent dental disease? A 2008 review in the Journal of the American Dental Association stated that chewing sugar free gum for 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay. When you chew gum it stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth. Saliva is
Nov. 26, 2013 Former Air Force Surgeon General passes away The Air Force Medical Service remembers retired Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Paul W. Myers, former Air Force Surgeon General, who passed away of natural causes on Nov. 25, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas.Myers was the 10th surgeon general and sworn in on Aug. 1,1978 until July 31, 1982. He officially retired on Dec.
Nov. 15, 2013 Annual exams crucial for early detection of oral cancer Annual exams at a dental clinic begin with an oral cancer screening. Unbeknownst to many, the dentist is the first line of defense when it comes to early detection of oral cancer.This is important given that mortality rates associated with oral cancer significantly decrease with early detection.
Nov. 13, 2013 3D x-ray helps 81st DS diagnosis, treatment "It's not your daddy's x-ray!"The 81st Dental Squadron offers state-of-the-art three-dimensional images to aid in diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of dental conditions, including reconstructive surgery.Maj. (Dr.) Jeffrey Ford, chief of orthodontics and officer-in-charge of radiology for the
Nov. 13, 2013 Air Force dentist finishes first full Ironman Sixteen years ago, Col. Eric Cathey, director of dental programs and resources, Air Force Surgeon General, ran his first triathlon at Misawa AB, Japan, fell in love with the sport, and hasn't stopped running. The Air Force dentist finished his first full Ironman Triathlon Nov. 2 in Panama City
Oct. 30, 2013 Air Force medical facilities earn top honors from The Joint Commission Three Air Force Medical Service military treatment facilities (MTFs) earned top accreditation honors recently by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America, for exemplary performance and were named among the nation's Top Performers on Key Quality
Oct. 29, 2013 Maintaining healthy gums can lead to better overall health More and more today physicians are focusing on overall bodily health as opposed to treating only specific ailments as they occur, to improve quality and longevity of life. This concept has also become more important to dentists as well since research during the past two decades has shed light on the
Oct. 8, 2013 Worry about the enemy not a toothache You're in a deployed environment in the middle of nowhere, and the toothache you thought was the least of your worries stateside has come back with a painful vengeance. Yet, there is no dental facility on your forward operating base and the nearest one is 100 miles away. This toothache that could
Oct. 1, 2013 TRICARE issues statement about government shutdown On October 1, 2013, the Defense Health Agency issued the following statement:"We know that those who rely on the Military Health System (MHS) are concerned about how the government shutdown might impact their health care.While we can't predict the exact consequences of a shutdown on every part of
Sept. 30, 2013 Affordable Care Act will impact federal civilian employees Starting in January, all individuals must maintain minimum health care coverage for themselves and all dependents claimed on their federal tax return, or must qualify for an exemption. Those who do not will be charged a penalty beginning with their 2014 federal tax return.Under, the Patient
Sept. 25, 2013 It’s that Time: Get your Flu Vaccine Each year, flu season affects millions of men, women and children. Flu season usually begins in October, so now is a great time to protect yourself and your family from the flu by getting vaccinated. The flu shot is easy to get and inexpensive - often free - for TRICARE beneficiaries and this year
Sept. 20, 2013 Dentistry residency program returns to Keesler The two-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program returned to Keesler July 1.Col. (Dr.) Michael Wajdowicz arrived the last week of June from Joint Base Lackland-San Antonio, Texas, to become AEGD residency director. He served as the training officer for the AEGD two-year program
Sept. 9, 2013 South African smiles restored through Aviano Airmen's care "It was one of those moments that was bigger than you," said Tech. Sgt. Rowan Strong, 31st Dental Squadron clinical flight chief. "At the end of every day, I was proud to wear the uniform. It was an honor to help so many people and take away so much pain." Three Airmen from Aviano provided dental
July 22, 2013 Extraordinary medical breakthroughs; Air Force makes them possible Imagine a world with no cellphones, computers or electricity; no television to watch your favorite sitcom, and no cars to meet up with your friends or medicine to cure you when you're sick.Many aspects of our lives would cease to exist without science and technology; the lives of today's warfighters
June 28, 2013 June MHS Message - Moving from Healthcare to Health – Operation Live Well Military Health System Team-As military health professionals, we are called upon to be both healers and leaders.Paramount to our strategic priorities is the core mission to ensure the health and readiness of our forces. As leaders we have more than an obligation to ensure health and readiness, we