I'm in the process of enlisting with Army NG and I have bad teeth, will I get turned away during my physical or at in processing?

2022-11-09T20:03:08-05:00

My recruiter swears up and down that they will fix them but I'm to afraid to get my hopes up just to get let down to be honest. Does anyone have any real insight on this subject? (Sorry if I tagged the wrong topics, I'm new here)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2022 8:27 PM

2022-11-09T20:27:09-05:00

I've never seen anyone turned away for bad teeth unless you have serious gingivitis and bleeding gums. They will fix your teeth in basic. You might even get lucky and get braces if they have an orthodontist available

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 9 at 2022 10:09 PM

2022-11-09T22:09:31-05:00

I’ve only seen a few cases where it was bad enough to keep the individal from serving. In those cases it was beyond bad teeth. They were dealing with gum issues that led to issues in the jaw bone.

This is why you have a medical and dental screening. You will be checked out and verified.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Nov 9 at 2022 10:36 PM

2022-11-09T22:36:39-05:00

They should be able to do this once you arrive at your first permanent duty station!

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 10 at 2022 1:40 PM

2022-11-10T13:40:44-05:00

It could require a waiver depending on how bad it is. Based on your other comments, it could be seriously bad.

Standards of dental fitness for recruiting are covered in the Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6130.03*, paragraph 5.8.

You said your "teeth are pretty bad ... realistically just need them all pulled and to get a whole new set". If that truly is the case, and not an exaggeration, you'll probably need a medical waiver in order to enlist - you would "not pass go and not collect your enlistment" by the first dentist that gives you a look over (or, rather, you SHOULDN'T ... there are many cases when something that shouldn't have 'slipped through the cracks' did).

The DoDI states the following are things that would prevent your enlistment (just listing the ones that sounds like they might apply .. look at the DoDI for a complete listing):
- Eight or more grossly (visually) cavitated or carious teeth
- Current severe malocclusion, which interferes with normal chewing or requires immediate
and protracted treatment

The above two can be summed up this way - if you have 8 or more "bad teeth", you'll need a waiver.
If your teeth are so misaligned that you can't chew properly, you'll need a waiver.

Like SFC Private RallyPoint Member, I've never seen anyone turned away because of bad teeth, but I've also seen people that would have been turned away if they tried enlisting. If your teeth are as bad as "needing to pull them all and start over again" ... yeah, you'll likely have a tough time of it.

If you do make it through, the military will fix everything wrong with your mouth ... once you are actually accepted into the military. Things that are wrong that won't prevent enlisting, they'll fix. Need to have all your teeth pulled and "start over again"? They'll do that. Do $100,000 worth of dental work because you did a faceplant on the cement sidewalk? They'll do that.

Again, the key is once you are actually accepted and make it though the pre-enlistment medical wickets.
-------------------------
DoDI 6130.03 - https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003_v1p.PDF

613003_v1p.PDF

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Nov 11 at 2022 9:24 AM

2022-11-11T09:24:43-05:00

Who Ya Gonna Bite?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 11 at 2022 9:55 AM

2022-11-11T09:55:13-05:00

You have been provided with solid responses. I have on bit of input. I hope you are not enlisting just to get your teeth fixed the Military is a great place to change your life in many positive ways. You do though, need to understand what you are in for. Good luck.

Response by MSgt Leilani Mariotti made Nov 12 at 2022 10:10 AM

2022-11-12T10:10:53-05:00

My husband whom I met while in the Air Force had a fellow when he went to basic that chewed tobacco. That tobacco chewer did get his teeth fixed. So, go ahead and enlist. Perhaps you will even consider going active.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2022 2:22 PM

2022-11-19T14:22:28-05:00

Well I made it through my physical at MEPS, I guess I'll see if they boot me out at reception now