Strong smiles support strong missions: How CAF Dental Technicians help keep NATO troops mission-ready

March 2, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 1:47

By MCpl Celeidgh Walker, 1 Dental Unit Detachment Petawawa

This year, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) marks Dental Assistants Recognition Week from March 2 to 8. To celebrate, I'm reflecting on my recent deployment to Camp Ādaži, Latvia, where I supported and collaborated with Canadian and allied personnel from around the world on Operation REASSURANCE rotation 25-02.

While deployed as a part of the National Support Element (NSE) Clinic, our team of one Dental Officer and one Dental Technician provided dental support to CAF members and NATO forces deployed under NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence. In an operational environment, even minor dental issues can prevent members from engaging in taskings and impact operational effectiveness. Our role was to help ensure personnel remained healthy, employable, and focused on their mission.

As a Dental Technician, my responsibilities include preparing treatment areas, assisting during procedures, maintaining infection prevention and control standards, and managing equipment and supplies. In a deployed setting, these tasks require even greater adaptability and teamwork: limited space, shared resources, and at times tight schedules mean every appointment must run efficiently.

Working in a multinational environment brought unique challenges, including language barriers with allied patients. Clear communication is critical in any health care setting, and at times, we relied on patience, simplified explanations, and collaborative problem solving to ensure patients understood and consented to their treatments. At times, this meant resorting to real-time translation software to support communication. These interactions underscored the importance of empathy, professionalism, and mutual respect, especially when providing care across languages and cultures.

This rotation was particularly significant for the Royal Canadian Dental Corps (RCDC). While deployed, we worked alongside the Danish Defense dental team, marking the first time Canada partnered with another NATO dental team in Latvia. This historic collaboration strengthened interoperability by allowing us to compare approaches, share best practices, and strengthen our ability to work jointly within a NATO framework.

I returned to Canada before the holiday season with a renewed appreciation for the impact of our trade. My deployment reaffirmed that Dental Technicians play a critical role not only in clinical care but also in sustaining operational readiness. Behind every successful appointment is a Dental Technician ensuring equipment is ready, patients are at ease, and procedures run efficiently.

Dental Assistants Recognition Week offers an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and expertise of Dental Assistants and Dental Technicians across the CAF. Whether in garrison or on operations, our work directly supports the health, readiness, and effectiveness of Canadian and allied forces. We may work behind the scenes, but our impact is always front and center.