Friday, Feb. 24, 2006
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No Orthodontics in GTMO Navy leaders budget for The question was asked at a 21st century sailor, force recent Naval Station town hall meeting, “Why don’t we have an Orthodontist in GTMO?” There are three basic reasons that explain: — Population: Like many medical specialties, the base population in Guantanamo Bay is not large enough to sustain a full-time Orthodontist. There are only 15 Orthodontists in the Navy and many of them are based overseas in locations that allow them to “circuit ride” (meaning they commute from base to base to keep up with proper adjustment schedules and follow-ups). Travel is difficult to and from Guantanamo Bay and the nearest military orthodontist is over 1200 miles away. — Facilities: The Naval Hospital Dental Clinic is physically too small to support an Orthodontist practice. There are currently sufficient
By JO2(AW/SW) Chad A. Bricks, Navy News Service
rooms for only two dentists to work efficiently and maintain the required urgent and routine dental work that must be done in Guantanamo. — Length of treatment: Orthodontic treatment is generally very lengthy and, in most cases, could not be completed in a standard military tour here. There are usually no age imperatives when Orthodontic treatment needs to be initiated. For questions about this issue or other Naval Hospital customer service concerns, please contact the Customer Relations Officer, LCDR Youberg at 72940.
WASHINGTON (NNS) — President Bush submitted his 2007 fiscal year (FY) budget request to Congress Feb. 6, which included the Navy’s $127 billion budget proposal. The President’s budget request was also accompanied by the recently released Department of Defense’s Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). The Navy’s proposed budget boasts a $4.4 billion increase from last year’s baseline appropriations. If approved, the FY 07 - FY11 budget provides the necessary funding levels to sustain current readiness, build the fleet for the future and develop the 21st Century Sailor over the next four years. What that means for Sailors and Marines are possible increases in pay and benefits as
well as several quality of life improvements. According to Navy leaders, the requested budget proposes a 5.9 percent increase in Basic Allowance for Housing, a 2.2 percent pay increase and improved facilities for schools and child care. “We have a significant increase in the benefits for our Sailors as we’re looking towards the future to take care of our 21st Century Sailor,” said Rear Adm. Stanley D. Bozin, director, Office of Budget for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. “We want to make sure they are compensated for what they are doing as an all volunteer force, and I think this budget reflects that. It’s a significant accomplishment to be able to do that and reward our Sailors and Marines,” Bozin said.
