Question about Navy DEP?

Question

hi, so here's the story..

so I've been in the navy DEP since april and about to leave in december. On our last dep meeting, the people who were about to be shipped out soon had to meet with the chief and I was part of that since I'm leaving in about couple of months. Chief asked each of us about things like if we had some medical / dental done while we we're in DEP. so i said yes. i had some dental work done like having my 4 wisdom teeth being taken out. but that was around end of AUGUSTish (my last visit) little knowing that i had to to bring a copy of the dental documents (copy of what kind of things they did with my teeth) i told my recruiter about my dental works but he didn't mention bringing paper works from dental office (which i could've bring in right after all my dental appointments) until i had a talk with my chief this week. he told me to bring it as soon as i can WHICH I WILL DO SO TOMORROW.

I asked chief if there would be any issue with my dental works while in DEP regarding if i would get shipped out as what it says in my contract. He said there might be some problems since he said getting wisdom teeth taken out was considered to be surgical operation which i think he would try to talk out with a higher command. he said something about cause if it gets infected or anything. so he said that I SHOULD BE NERVOUS about it.... which scared me cause i want to leave on my ship date you know.. i've waited so long for my basic training and did all the hard work (being fit to be prepared for the training, studying the book they gave me) and all that..

my question is... is this really a problem and would it interfere me from getting shipped out to for boot camp? cause i don't know.. what came to my mind is that the chief thought that the surgical operations i had with my teeth might cause problems in the future i don't know if that's what he mean

***ONE MORE THING*** after those wisdom teeth were taken out.. i never had any problems or any implications and I'm perfectly fine and healthy PLUS i was never in any trouble during my time in DEP or never was in trouble my whole life:) I'm a good kid:D ( KID MEANING I JUST GRADUATED THIS PAST JUNE AND JOINED THE NAVY RIGHT AFTER:D )

**This is a serious question and serious answers ONLY please (Preferably from experienced sailors / recruiters in the navy)

Thanks!

HONOR. COURAGE. COMMITMENT.

Answer 1

Yes, it can be an issue.



The general rule, is you must wait 6 months to ship to basic, after having any type of surgery



2. What they will do now, is evaluate your wisdom teeth removal and determine if it qualifies as surgery or not.



IE: did you have to be put completely under, did an oral surgeon perform the removal, did they have to make an incision to get to your wisdom teeth



Or was it done with a local, by a dentist, using regular teeth removal procedures.



3. if they deem it surgery, then you will not be eligible to ship to basic untill Febuary 2012



4. Unless your wisdom teeth were causing pain, you made a mistake having them taken out, you should have waited and let the Navy take them out.



Would have been much cheaper too.



NOTE: even if deemed surgery, they could issue a wavier and allow you to ship to basic at the scheduled time.



So just ride it out and see what happens.

Answer 2

Hello Dawg,



I am going to disagree with everybody.



Do not worry needlessly.



First off, if you did NOT get your wisdom teeth removed on your own parent's money (insurance - maybe) surely the Navy would have scheduled you for them while you were on active duty sometime after all your boot camp and Navy technical schooling ("A" school) were finished and you were assigned to your ship and given an annual dental exam during your birthday month.



Then, the Navy would have scheduled you for oral surgery (if they deemed that keeping the wisdom teeth could be a problem if you were on a ship for 6 months cruise.) I have seen my own Air Force people have their 4 wisdom teeth removed at one time. And, they were given 3 days of bed rest because they SUFFER so much PAIN.



And then they go back to WORK!



Sure any one "could" get infection. Highly unlikely.



I'm 68 years old and just had two of my upper wisdom teeth taken out in February. No problems, other than being "sore" for 2 weeks and no infection.



I had my bottom wisdom teeth taken out when I was 65 years old. Again, no problems.



Back in 1973 after being in the AF for 12 years the dentist advised me to schedule for 4 wisdom teeth surgery. I said, "Are you kidding? I'm 31 years old and my wisdom teeth are not giving me any problems." He said, "Well, you are going to Alaska and it MAY be a problem." I said, "If it becomes a problem the year I am there they will call a chopper to air evac me to Anchorage hospital." I finished my year and still have my wisdom teeth. I retired after 27 years and still had my 4 wisdom teeth. I was retired from the AF for 16 years before I had to have 2 bottom ones removed. The oral surgeon said: "Well, you should get all 4 removed at one time." I said: "No, take out the bottom two and "if" and "when" I need the uppers removed I will come back to you."



Finally, 4 years later, my regular dentist said the "signs" are ready to have those upper ones removed. Go make the appointment.



So, you have already waited 8 months to enter the Navy. After 12 months the DEP contract becomes null and void. So, let the Navy deal with it. I predict that they will see that you already had 3 - 4 months time "since" your wisdom teeth were removed and no "infection." And, the NAVY didn't have to pay to do it. They will approve it - or they are not making a good decision!



You did their work for them! Ha.



Anchors Aweigh.



Larry Smith

Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.)

First Sergeant

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Question about Navy DEP?

hi, so here's the story..



so I've been in the navy DEP since april and about to leave in december. On our last dep meeting, the people who were about to be shipped out soon had to meet with the chief and I was part of that since I'm leaving in about couple of months. Chief asked each...

Answer 4

You should ship out and if you get the paper work it should clear you with no problem im guessing you've been to meps and they cleared you so it should be all good. I'm being cleared for asthma and a tooth surgery is not realy a dq maybe a delay but most Likly not. Are you going for corpsman?