Braces and Retainers In The Army

[aesop081]

will he be getting looked at by dentists in the CF as opposed to his original dentist?

Yes....and if the base doesnt handle it, they send the individual downtown to a local civilian torture guy !!

 

[Armymedic]

Braces are allowed. Some even get them while in the CF. Military sends you to a contracted civilian orthodontist (if there is not a CF one nearby) to have them put on, and the CF dentists can take care of them and adjust them. In locs overseas where there is a Role 2/3 facility (like KAF) they have dentists who can take care of you while deployed as well. Having braces does not affect your medical category.

 

[RyanRG]

I was trying to dig up information on orthodontics in the Canadian military. I've heard people say that joining with braces is allowed. I was trying to find out about getting braces after I've joined.

TREATMENT RESTRICTIONS

6. Orthodontics. Except for specifically identified cases, orthodontic treatment for service members will be limited to that which can be provided by the general practitioner dental officer with minimal specialist consultation and direction. Such cases should be initiated only when the treatment can be completed within a period to avoid problems created by cyclical military activity, eg, postings, extended courses or exercises.

My plan is to go ROTP. Would getting orthodontic treatment while at RMC for 4 years be a problem? Seems like the best time to avoid problems. Just wondering if anyone has any insight into this.

 

[RyanRG]

I guess I'll have to ask at my next trip to the recruiting center. I'd rather not wait 4-6 years to start orthodontic treatment.

 

[PuckChaser]

I had orthodontics on when I joined. The MO or PA has you sign a form that the procedure was started before you joined the military, and that they are not liable for any costs associated with them. This was back in 2002, so things could have changed.

 

[RyanRG]

Did you have your braces on during BMQ?

 

[AdamVen]

tl;dr : Can I join the army with braces

Firstly I'd like to apologize as I'm sure the answer is out there somewhere and I've barely missed it

I have had braces for ~2 years and will have them for the next year or so
I just applied to the reserves online and when talking to a guy I know who served in the military (American), the topic of braces came up and he mentioned that you couldn't go to basic while you had basic.

So now I'm worried and I'm guessing that the same goes for us
After doing some searching the only answers I've come up with have been for the American Military system. (unfortunately 'braces' having multiple meanings means googling isn't that effective)

So I used the 'talk to a recruiter' thing on the CF website and asked, I'm pretty sure I got an automated response that linked to a vague pdf saying I should contact the medical staff of my nearest centre.
I don't think this is necessary as I can't imagine how braces being acceptable or not varies on a case to case basis. So if anyone knows the answer please share. Otherwise I guess I'll have to spend an hour on the bus to drop by and see

Thanks

Why was my post merged with a 6 year old thread where the last post is one saying that the policies would be changing soon?

Ok either there's been some more thread merging or I'm an idiot and somehow missed like a dozen posts :s

Thanks mr. moderator

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

I can't see why they would be an issue TBH... I have a permanent retainer on my bottom teeth never been a problem

 

[PMedMoe]

A permanent retainer is one thing.  Braces are quite another, usually requiring several orthodontist trips during a one year period.  People with braces are not allowed to deploy.

From the CFP 154 - Medical Standards:

The following conditions will result in deferral of enrolment until the condition is corrected:

the active phase of orthodontic treatment, if such treatment is required to treat an underlying functional disability/medical condition. If orthodontic treatment is not required to treat an underlying functional disability/medical condition, enrolment may proceed if the applicant signs the Statement of Understanding on orthodontic treatment which is found in the Recruiter's Handbook, Annex D to Chapter 2.

That being said, perhaps the Res F is different.  Your recruiter was right, talk to the medical staff at a CFRC.

AdamVen, not sure what your link was supposed to be.  ???

 

[211RadOp]

I'm going back a long time with this one, when I applied to the Militia in the early 80's, braces was not a problem then. Things may have changed since, but I do know that having a retainer in part time (nights) now is not a problem (my son has applied to the Reserve and has one).  RegF was different.  I could not be accepted while under the care of an ortho at the time of enrollment.  I actually had to wait until I was no longer required to wear braces or a retainer until I could be sworn in.  Again this is from the 80's, so things may have changed.

 

[AdamVen]

AdamVen, not sure what your link was supposed to be. 

Oh that's bizarre. It was linking to the pdf that I got linked to which pretty much said I need to speak to the medical staff of the nearest centre

I wonder why it expired/got deleted

Thanks for responses, that quote clarifies things nicely