DT News - Canada - Canadian Army Dental Corps: Born 100 years ago of war

Michael Pilon, DDPH, DDS

Fri. 9 January 2015

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OTTAWA, Ontario, CANADA: World War I began on July 28, 1914, and lasted until Nov. 11, 1918. This year marks the centennial of the Canadian Army Dental Corps (CADC), which was formed shortly after recruiting efforts began in earnest for what would become known at “The Great War.”

Initially, recruitment was at a slow pace; but, as it became evident that the conflict was escalating more quickly than anticipated, the role of the recruiting offices expanded. At the same time, it became evident that many potential recruits were being rejected for dental reasons.

As a result of these expanding dental needs, efforts were undertaken to initiate a dental program to support the growing military commitment. In May 1915, the Canadian Army Dental Corps was established under the professional and administrative control of the director of medical services.[1] It grew from an initial corps of 30 dental officers, 35 non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and 40 privates to ultimately comprising 233 dental officers, 223 NCOs and 238 privates by the end of hostilities. Of those who served, 24 died in the war as a result of various injuries.[2]

The war itself, of course, was devastating, claiming more than 9 million lives, including 65,000 Canadian military casualties.[3] Nov. 11 has been commemorated as Remembrance Day since 1931.[4]

As with the war in general, the formation and expansion of the Canadian Army Dental Corps (today the Royal Canadian Dental Corps) was based not only on needs as they arose, but also on unexpected developments. Many of the changes that came into fruition were planned — while many others were altered as required by circumstance.

‘A very perfect dental organization’

In testament to the validity and efficacy of the well-oiled machine the corps became, a consultant with the British Army, Sir Cuthbert Wallace, said at the war’s end: “The Canadians had a very perfect dental organization.” He also expressed the opinion that the British service might well copy the Canadians.[5]

At the onset of WWI, the original intent was to attach dental officers to military medical units, but in practice that did not occur. However, in August 1915, dental officers were permanently attached to field hospitals. In that capacity they served in Canada before embarkation to Europe and also served in Europe. They served in hospitals in the U.K., as well as at or near the front lines in France, Greece, Italy and Belgium.[6]

CADC personnel eventually performed a number of functions:

Dental inspections of all Canadian soldiers on arrival in England
Dental inspections of all returning soldiers before embarking for Canada
Provision of normal preventative dental care
Treatment of wounds and trench mouth
Care for reconstruction surgery in special clinics[6]

In January 1947, the Canadian Army Dental Corps was redesignated the Royal Canadian Dental Corps. In 1968, as a result of what some considered an ill-conceived merger of the three services (Army, Air Force, Navy), the Royal Canadian Dental Corps was renamed the Canadian Forces Dental Service. In October 2013, the designation of Royal Canadian Dental Corps (RCDC) was reinstated. From a historical perspective, there are some who feel that the RCDC is descended from the first military dental service in the world.[6] Some feel that Canada truly became a nation because of the extremely strong military service of our combat troops at battles such as Vimy Ridge, Ypres, the Somme[7] and many others. Along this vein, the Canadian Army Dental Corps, too, was born of need. It served and continues to serve with distinction and valour.

Note: This article was published in Dental Tribune Canada. A complete list of rererences is available from the publisher.

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