This United States Army manual, Army Techniques Publication ATP 4-02.19 Dental Services August 2020, provides discussion about the dental services function and the tactics, techniques, and procedures to plan and employ a dental company (area support) (DCAS) within an area of operation.
The principal audience for ATP 4-02.19 is commanders, staffs, command surgeons, Army Health System planners, and Army Medicine personnel and units.
Due to the nature of the medical profession, which is highly regulated throughout both the civilian and military communities, Army medicine doctrine is influenced by United States and international law, policy guidance in the form of Army Regulations and Department of Defense policy promulgated in the form of directives and instructions and other documents, medical standards established by civilian organizations (such as the Joint Commission), and technical guidance from both military and civilian organizations charged with medical/scientific oversight responsibilities.
Throughout this publication, as appropriate, reference is made to the major policy guidance influencing the specific topic. These references should not be considered as the only policy guidance available. When issues arise that require consideration of policy guidance, the issue should be thoroughly researched and, as appropriate, coordinated with the supporting staff judge advocate or governmental/nongovernmental agency involved.
The content of this publication remains generally consistent on key topics while adopting updated terminology and concepts as necessary. Although the primary focus of this publication is the dental services provided in theater, it is important to understand that the emphasis on a Soldier's oral health begins at the time that they enter the Army and continues throughout their service commitment.
The material presented in this publication reflects enduring practices in providing timely dental services to the tactical commander. This publication depicts the employment of dental services from the close area through the strategic support area of operations.
ATP 4-02.19 contains five chapters and four appendixes.
Chapter 1 provides an overview of the dental services to include an introduction of the Army dental readiness program, levels of dental care, categories of dental care, dental classification, additional wartime roles, and dental care eligibility determination.
Chapter 2 provides an overview of the dental staff positions and responsibilities of officers and noncommissioned officers, the medical command (deployment support), and the medical brigade (support).
Chapter 3 discusses the organization and employment of dental capabilities from the close area through the strategic support area of operations.
Chapter 4 discusses the basic principles of dental operations.
Chapter 5 describes dental service support to unique missions to include stability tasks, Army special operations forces, detainee operations, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear operations.
Appendix A provides an overview on the dental readiness program.
Appendix B provides basic details on the different dental equipment sets that are used for providing dental services for operational organizations.
Appendix C provides an overview and importance of having a thorough quality assurance plan.
Appendix D provides an example of a clinical standard operating procedure.
The Medical Center of Excellence Doctrine Literature Division is reorganizing the placement of terms and definitions found in proponent publications within the Medical Center of Excellence doctrine publication library. Based on doctrinal changes, the terms identified in Introductory Table-1 will remain the same except that the proponent publication of the term will change. The glossary contains acronyms and terms.