Can the Army force me to have dental surgery to be cleared to go on a deployment?

Question

This is for someone that really knows army rules and regulations. Please no opinions. Also if i refuse to have the surgery can the army force me to sign a waiver and go anyway?

Answer 1

Not sure what the Army regs are but I've been in the service for a while and can talk to the issue from a military standpoint.

The military's stand on dental work is that they do not want you to have any preventable health issues while in a combat environment.  In the Army, where deployments have gotten longer, you become a liability to the rest or your buddies.  Any medical issues you have will take you away from the task at hand.  They do not want to lose you for an undetermined amount of time.

By signing the paperwork and raising your hand to be sworn in, you became a military asset.  If they tell you that you have to have the dental work done and you refuse, you COULD be subject to the UCMJ.  Also, you will be placed on non-deployment status which makes you useless to the Army.

Ultimately, they may make you go anyway.  If that's the case and you have problems with your wisdom teeth, you'll be in a much less hospitable environment.  Do you really want to have your teeth pulled over there?

Answer 2

yes they can force you to have your wisdom teeth yanked.  its their way.. even if they came in normal and fit fine and will never ever ever cause you a second of discomfort, out they came anyway.  (Not just the Army,Navy is just as bad).  

if you refuse, they can give you an AR 15.

Answer 3

let me guess... wisdom teeth?

if it is wisdom teeth yes they can as they can get impacted and stuff.

personally i'm trying to get my wisdoms out before  I deploy in about a month, yet I keep getting the run around on it (and they need to come out soon, starting to pop)

Answer 4

You must do everything with in your power to be deployable. I would have the surgery. There are several courses of action they can take. None of which will turn out well for you. If the Army determines that you are refusing the surgery solely to avoid deployment that could really be bad.  We had a soldier that said that he was going to gain weight so the military would discharge him and then he did it. He was courtmartialed for it. I can't think of the exact term but it is considered to be like a form of sedition.

Answer 5

I know.... no opinions... BUT

If I were you, just get them out. I was in the Army and I had to get 3 removed (only 3 developed). I didn't want to, because they didn't bother me. But one day I was in bad pain with one. So I had it removed. The other two stayed.... I was bugged to get them removed but I was scared to get 2 done at one time, plus they didn't bother me. Finally my mouth swelled up and I couldn't eat for a week. So I had them both removed! It really pays off, don't wait til they actually cause pain.  

Answer 6

If you refuse treatment a report of investigation could determine that you are making your condition worse through your own willful neglect. In such a case the Secretary of the Army, under Federal law, would have no other alternative but to discharge you as unfit for further service without any compensable disability payments. This would also void any entitlement to treatment of that condition by the VA

Answer 7

Yes they can. Some dental problems could lead to worse health problems.

Actually many dental problems do lead to health problems.  

Answer 8

Yes they can.  While they may not bother you know, if problems developed while deployed treating you then would be far more difficult.  If you refuse yes they can deploy you anyway...or they can bring you up on charges for failing to obey a direct order.  That would mean a discharge and loss of any benefits through the VA...loans, scholarship opportunities, health care, etc.  Have the work done.  Look at it this way..most of the time they will have to come out eventually.  Better to do it now, with the military paying the entire cost than waiting til later in life and then having to pay for it out of pocket.