Exceeding standards...again

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Whitney Stanfield
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 4th Aerospace Medicine Squadron (AMDS) dental flight was named the Air Combat Command Small Dental Clinic of the Year for the second year in a row.

"It makes me proud to win this award and to know that our hard work is recognized," said Denise Mullen, 4 AMDS administration assistant.

Officials at the dental clinic submitted an awards package including 20 accomplishments of the dental flight and data from the last five years. The flight keeps the 4th Fighter Wing (FW) 98 percent dentally ready which exceeds Air Force goals by three percent, supporting the 4 FW mission by briefing first term Airmen, retirees and local elementary schools on oral hygiene instructions and also supplies custom-made ear pieces for pilots and mouth guards for athletes.

"I feel very fortunate and honored to serve with such a professional group of people," said Lt. Col Holly Ellenberger, 4 AMDS commander.

This year, the 4 AMDS demonstrated hard work through teamwork. With losing and gaining new personnel and treating more than 80 patients daily, the flight stayed focused and worked together to receive a 95 out of 100, an outstanding score, on the Health Services Inspection in August 2011. The Health Services Inspection evaluated 13 different aspects in their career field, 11 out of 13 received an outstanding rating and two out of 13 were rated excellent.

Winning the award places the flight in the Air Force level competition against 31 other dental flights.

"The honor of being validated twice, shows we have great people in this flight," said Master Sgt. Jeffery Vicars, 4 AMDS dental flight chief.