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The Wiesbaden Dental Clinic’s Retiree Appreciation Day July 20 allowed retirees from all branches of the military to take advantage of free dental work -> no appointment necessary.
“I think it was very well organized,” said Albert Vargas, who retired from the Army in 1981. “There’s good service, and it was well worthwhile. … I’d recommend they hold these more often.”
Retirees visited the clinic throughout the day to take advantage of the event’s on-the-spot exams, cleanings and other minor dental work, said Sgt. Dennis Nicholson, the clinic’s noncommissioned officer in charge. When retirees required more extensive work, the clinic scheduled it for later, Nicholson said.
James Tree, who retired from the Air Force in 1993 and now works as a civilian for 5th Signal Command, said he came in for a cleaning and was glad to see that it was not too crowded.
“It’s smart to take advantage of these types of events when they occur,” Tree said.
About 200 retirees usually attend the clinic’s annual retiree appreciation day, and visits to the clinic during the day were on par with other years, said Sgt. Stephen Combs, the clinic’s practice manager.
Retirees and Family members can use the clinic on a space-available basis throughout the year, but the clinic schedules the appreciation day annually to give retirees special access and highlight the services available at the clinic, Combs said.
About 20 percent of the clinic’s patients are retirees, Combs said.
The only times the clinic does not make space available appointments are when Soliders are deploying and redeploying, Combs said.
Retirees from all branches of the military were welcome to participate in the event, Combs said. In order to make room for the retirees, the clinic limited the number of appointments for the day, Nicholson said.
Retirees could also pick up information about the Tricare Retiree Dental Program from George Schad, a representative from the Tricare Area Office in Sembach. For information about the program visit www.trdp.org or call civ 888-838-8737.