82nd Dental Squadron all smiles over new facility Published Oct. 1, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Matthew Varga 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 82nd Dental Squadron showed off its new pearly whites Sept. 28 during the opening of the new dental officers residency suite. The new facility will increase quality of care at the dental clinic and will expand the current residency program while increasing the number of residents who can graduate every year. "This is exciting because we're in the people business, and this new facility will help us take better care of our people," said Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon, 82nd Training Wing commander. "This is also going to mean better access to dental care for our young folks and not-so-young folks, and it's going to help us do an even better job than we're already doing getting our folks medically ready to go down range." Sheppard's last graduating class of four dental residents saw almost 2,200 patients and delivered more than $1 million in care. The expansion to six residents will add another 1,000 patients and almost $600,000 in care each year, General Mannon said. He said there is a shortage of dental officers across the Air Force, so this program means better access to care for all Airmen -- not just those stationed at Sheppard. It is one more way Sheppard contributes to the combat readiness of our entire Air Force. Col. William Pierpont, 82nd Dental Squadron commander, said he believes that with the new renovation and expertise of the teaching staff, the 82th DS is the best equipped and advanced education in general dentistry out of the Air Force's 12 programs. "While Sheppard has averaged four to five residents graduated per year, this new suite will ensure that our contribution of graduates climbs to new heights in the years ahead," he said.