Established in February 1923, the Naval Postgraduate Dental School (NPDS) serves as the cornerstone for the Navy Dental Corps’ postgraduate training and is the primary force generating producer of dental specialists for the Fleet. Academically aligned with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), under the leadership and support of the Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command (NMLPDC), NPDS provides advanced specialty programs for dental officers, graduating over 20 dental specialists annually. Since its establishment, NPDS had trained 2,500 dental officers. At the heart of this operation are highly qualified, hand selected faculty members and hard charging enlisted and civilian staff. The largest Directorate under NMLPDC, NPDS comprises approximately 200 officers, enlisted and civilians.



February 3rd, 2023, marked 100 years of developing the future leaders of the Dental Corps. Recent Chairman and former Specialty Leader of the Operative Dentistry Department at NPDS, Captain Richard Adcook, said, “there is great satisfaction in being part of making the new generations of Dental Corps specialists in the military. That also goes to the overall impact that the school has provided to the Navy Medicine enterprise over the years. NPDS has played a long and important role of supporting the dental needs of the Force through making various dental specialists who provide care and training around the world.” NPDS continues to uphold a culture of academic excellence that has culminated in the maximization of oral health and readiness of the Joint Service member through outstanding scientific, evidence-based instruction and conducting cutting-edge research—research that serves to innovate the science of dentistry and further establish Navy Medicine as a forerunner in the advancement of novel clinical techniques and quality oral health care delivery.



This year’s NPDS live graduation ceremony took place on June 9th, 2023, with CAPT Steven M. Stokes, Dean of NPDS, as Master of Ceremonies. Distinguished guests joining the Dean on stage were CAPT Walter D. Brafford, Dental Corps Chief and Commander, Naval Medical Forces Support Command who delivered the commencement remarks and Dr. Jonathan Woodson, President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Dr. Woodson conferred Master of Science degrees in Oral Biology to qualified graduates who completed necessary requirements for the advanced degree. The graduating class consisted of 21 residents and one fellow receiving certificates, representing Army, Navy, and Air Force, across seven training programs. These graduates will go on to assignments across the Fleet, including overseas and operational billets. Among the graduates, Lieutenant Commander Anika Islam, Dental Corps, United States Navy, reflected on her experience at NPDS. “The biggest take-away from my time at NPDS that will be most valuable to me throughout my career is that it takes a village! I am forever grateful for the invaluable mentorship, top notch camaraderie, lifelong friendships, and priceless memories from here. Without the staff and co-residents I was blessed to be around, I would not be as successful as I am today as a graduate of NPDS. I am sincerely thankful for being selected to be a part of this prestigious institution of academic excellence.” LCDR Islam completed a two-year residency program in Endodontics.

It is with great pride that NPDS celebrates 100 years of unwavering dedication to world class academic instruction, clinical skill development and sustainment in direct support of operational requirements, the Warfighter, and Force readiness.



Article written by LTJG Nicolette Baker, MSC, USN.

Sources:
Naval Postgraduate Dental School - Home (health.mil) Retrieved 6/21/2023

Sobocinski, Andre (2023). Flagship of Navy Dental Education Marks 100 Years. Retrieved from www.navy.mil.