We would like to commend JADA, and Mr. Craig Palmer in particular, for a nicely written feature article in March JADA on military dentists serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, "Voices From the Front: Dentists Share Their Stories of War."
We appreciate that a dental journal as widely read and respected as JADA would dedicate journal space to honoring those on the front lines. We read with much interest what our comrades had to say. This article helped highlight some of the sacrifices that military dentists make to help serve our great country.
As dentists serving in the Army in Iraq, we are well aware of the honor in serving our country abroad, and in taking care of the troops who put their lives on the line every day as they pound the pavement searching for insurgents. This has been an incredible experience, far beyond our imagination, as we committed to the Army during our dental school years, but one for which we are thankful. We also are appreciative of the many dentists in the Reserves and National Guard who have left behind much to join us in this duty.
As we reach the relative end of our commitment to the Army and begin to contemplate our future civilian dental careers, we encourage any dentist or dental student considering a commitment to the military to speak to those many great dentists who have made a career in the military, as well as to those who have served and decided to get out. This is not for everyone, and it is important to hear the full story. We thank JADA and Mr. Palmer for beginning to tell our stories.
So, JADA and Mr. Palmer, thank you.
