Joint Base Lewis-McChord Dental Activity
To make/cancel an appointment, contact your clinic.
Directions
From I-5, take exit 122 and enter JBLM through the Madigan gate. Driving on Jackson Avenue, turn left onto Madigan Avenue and turn right onto Wilson Avenue for approximately a third of a mile. The road will curve sharply to the left and become Lincoln Avenue. Go approximately one block on Lincoln Avenue. DENTAC Headquarters will be on your left, Bldg 9900, 2nd floor.
About
The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Dental Activity is comprised of six dental clinics across JBLM and one dental clinic located at the Presidio of Monterey, Monterey, California. DENTAC is a diverse team of highly dedicated Army professionals – dentists, medics, civilians and contractors – all working together to provide only the highest quality oral healthcare for our active duty service members and other eligible beneficiaries across the Puget Sound Multi-Service Market area.
Mission Statement
To deliver responsive and reliable oral health services and provide a “Fight Tonight” patient focused Force Health Protection posture to maximize readiness and wellness. To deliver responsive and reliable oral health services and provide a “Fight Tonight” patient focused Force Health Protection posture to maximize readiness and wellness.
Vision
Strengthening the health of our Nation by improving the oral health of our Army.
Dental Clinics
Lefler Dental Clinic
Directions
From the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Lewis Main Gate (Interstate 5, Exit 120), continue straight on 41st Division Drive past the Exchange shopping complex on your right and past Pendleton Avenue. Continue past Stryker Avenue when 41st Division Drive becomes Railroad Avenue. Turn left onto South 14th Street and then make an immediate right turn into the Lefler Dental Clinic parking lot.
About
Lefler Dental Clinic provides all facets of general dentistry and specialty care offered only to active duty service members. Procedures performed include:
- Examinations
- Cleanings (Prophylaxis)
- Preventive Services (Fluoride, Sealants, Instruction)
- Tooth Fillings (Restorative)
- Root Canals (Endodontics)
- Gum Disease Treatment (Periodontics)
- Crown & Bridge, as needed
- Extractions (Oral Surgery)
- Removable Dentures, as needed
- Referral for complex oral rehabilitation, as needed
Lefler Dental Clinic is home to the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program. This 12-month program provides professional post-doctoral training, encompassing closely supervised clinical and didactic experience in all major dental specialties. This program is designed to train competent, productive, efficient clinicians, capable of managing and providing complex multi-disciplinary treatment to a wide array of patients.
History
Lefler Dental clinic is named in honor of Major General Bill B. Lefler, Born in Rawlins, Wyoming, he grew up in Clinton, Arkansas, and attended Hendrix College from 1951-1953. While at Hendrix, he met his future bride, Carolyn Ellis. They were married in 1955. He is a December 1956 graduate of the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry and completed his specialty residency in fixed prosthodontics at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in 1968. General Lefler commanded the Dental Activity at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and was senior dental corps staff officer in the Office of the Assistant Surgeon General for Dental Services/Chief, Army Dental Corps. General Lefler also served as the consultant in fixed prosthodontics to the Assistant Surgeon General for Dental Service and coordinator of all fixed prosthodontic training programs under the university concept of dental education in the Army Dental Corps. As Deputy Commanding General and Director of Dental Services for the Health Services Command, he assisted the commander in carrying out the Army health care mission throughout the U.S. and several overseas locations. General Lefler is a recipient of the Army Surgeon General’s “A” Prefix, the highest award that can be made in recognition of professional attainment within the Army Medical Department. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, a Charter Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontics, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, a member of the American Academy of Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics and the American Dental Association. Among General Lefler’s military awards are the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
McClung Dental Clinic
Directions
From the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Lewis Main Gate (Interstate 5, Exit 120), continue straight on 41st Division Drive and turn right onto Pendleton Avenue. Turn right onto North Division Street. Turn right just past Utah Avenue into the McClung Dental Clinic parking lot. If you pass Greenwood Elementary School on your right, you have gone too far.
About
McClung Dental Clinic (formerly Dental Clinic #3) provides all facets of general dentistry and specialty care offered only to active duty service members. Procedures performed include:
- Examinations
- Cleanings (Prophylaxis)
- Preventive Services (Fluoride, Sealants, Instruction)
- Tooth Fillings (Restorative)
- Root Canals (Endodontics)
- Gum Disease Treatment (Periodontics)
- Crown & Bridge, as needed
- Extractions (Oral Surgery)
- Removable Dentures, as needed
- Referral for complex oral rehabilitation, as needed
History
Dental Clinic #3 on Lewis Main was renamed to memorialize it for the base’s first dentist, Col. Earle J. McClung at a special ceremony on April 15, 2021.
McClung was born in Ritzville, Wash., in 1891, attended the area’s dental college, the North Pacific College of Oregon School of Dentistry and joined the Army in 1917. He was the first dentist on then Camp Lewis just six years after the Army stood up its Dental Corps. After WWI, McClung was assigned to Chilkoot Barracks (Fort William H. Seward) in Alaska where he set up the first dental clinic there as he did in Washington. Both McClung sons attended West Point and joined the Air Force. At the ceremony, Bill treated anyone near him to stories of his family’s generations of illustrious military service including its near misses with disastrous events. His great grandfather was in the 7th Cavalry, Custer’s unit, but left before the Battle of Little Bighorn and his parents took an assignment that moved them off Hawaii just prior to Pearl Harbor’s bombing that drew the U.S. into World War II. Despite escaping that brush with history unscathed, the colonel’s career had many unexpected turns. In the last third of his career, McClung specialized in making maxillofacial prosthetics, namely prosthetic eyeballs. He was so invested in making a good product for his patients that he would have his wife, Beatrice, critique his work over lunch with a patient. If she couldn’t tell which one was the prosthetic eye, he knew he’d gotten it right. McClung was offered the position of chief of the Dental Corps as a general officer in 1940. But, after counseling with his wife and family, they decided to turn down the opportunity and return to the Pacific Northwest.
Fulton Dental Clinic
Directions
From the Madigan Army Medical Center Gate (Interstate 5, Exit 122) continue on Jackson Ave. through three traffic lights and turn left at the fourth traffic light onto Transmission Line Road. Turn right on Mil Park Avenue. The Fulton Dental Clinic is collocated with the Winder Family Medical Clinic and can be found in the second building on right.
From the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Lewis Main Gate (Interstate 5, Exit 120) turn left at the first light onto Colorado Avenue. Continue until the next traffic light, and turn left onto Jackson Avenue. At the second traffic light, turn right onto Transmission Line Road. Turn right on Mil Park Avenue. The Fulton Dental Clinic is collocated with the Winder Family Medical Clinic and can be found in the second building on right.
About
The Fulton Dental Clinic provides all facets of general dentistry and specialty care offered only to active duty service members.
Procedures performed include:
- Examinations
- Cleanings (Prophylaxis)
- Preventive Services (Fluoride, Sealants, Instruction)
- Tooth Fillings (Restorative)
- Root Canals (Endodontics)
- Gum Disease Treatment (Periodontics)
- Crown & Bridge, as needed
- Extractions (Oral Surgery)
- Removable Dentures, as needed
- Referral for complex oral rehabilitation, as needed
History
Colonel, Retired Kenneth P. Fulton, Dental Corps
Dental Clinic Number One on Fort Lewis was memorialized on March 14, 1980, in honor of Colonel Kenneth P. Fulton.
Kenneth Fulton was born in Port Townsend, Washington, on March 11, 1898. Upon graduation from the North Pacific College of Dentistry in Oregon, with a Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD), he entered the United States Army on July 15, 1925. His assignments exposed him to an ever increasing level of responsibility ranging over the years from assignments as Dental Officer, Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in 1925, to that of the Post Dental Surgeon at Fort Lewis during 1950-1953 and subsequent assignments as the Sixth Army Dental Surgeon from 1953 until his retirement on August 14, 1957.
Colonel Fulton developed the plans for the former Dental Clinic Number One while serving as Post Dental Surgeon at Fort Lewis in 1950. When it was dedicated on August 14, 1957, as Dental Clinic Number One, the Fulton Dental Clinic was a pioneer in clinic design for that period. The 28-chair, ranch-style building was the Army’s first separate, permanent dental clinic west of the Mississippi. Fulton Dental Clinic was equipped with the most up-to-date dental equipment and was admirably suited for its former provision of general dentistry, endodontic, periodontic, prosthetic and surgical support more than 6,000 active duty soldiers.
The original Fulton Dental Clinic was closed in December 2001; the building relinquished to the Fort Lewis Directorate of Public Works and Engineering and served as the Headquarters for 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (L) (Stryker).
From March 2006 to May of 2010 a modular facility temporarily housed the “Fulton Dental Clinic” during construction of a brand new facility that would later be certified by the Leadership Energy and Environmental Design as a “Gold” standard building, which is the first Army Medicine facility to achieve that rating. In May 2010 the new dental clinic opened after an additional four treatment rooms and x-ray room were added. An official ribbon cutting ceremony dedicating the Winder Family Medical Clinic and rededicating the state-of-the-art 28-chair Fulton Dental Clinic was held on July 27, 2011, that once again recognized the clinic and continued to honor Colonel Kenneth P. Fulton.
Madigan Dental Clinic
Directions
The Madigan Dental Clinic is located in Madigan Army Medical Center and can be reached by taking I-5 Exit 122 and turning onto Beaumont Avenue into the Medical Mall Purple Parking Lot. The Madigan Dental Clinic is located in room 2-43-38 on the second floor of the Hospital Tower. From the pharmacy entrance to the Medical Mall, go to the second floor and from the ENT Clinic, take the West Corridor toward the Urology Clinic. The Hospital Dental Clinic is on the right before reaching the Urology Clinic.
About
The Hospital Dental Clinic provides all facets of general dentistry and specialty care offered only to active duty service members. Procedures performed include:
- Examinations
- Cleanings (Prophylaxis)
- Preventive Services (Fluoride, Sealants, Instruction)
- Tooth Fillings (Restorative)
- Root Canals (Endodontics)
- Gum Disease Treatment (Periodontics)
- Crown & Bridge, as needed
- Extractions (Oral Surgery)
- Removable Dentures, as needed
- Referral for complex oral rehabilitation, as needed
The Madigan Dental Clinic is the home for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) Residency Program. This rigorous four year program is designed to train residents in the surgical specialty able to treat many diseases, facial trauma, other injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral (mouth) and maxillofacial (jaws and face) area. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is only by referral from another dental clinic. Dental specialty or surgical care for family members and retirees is extremely limited and accepted on a case-by-case only.
TRICARE Dental Plans
The TRICARE Family Member Dental Plan is dental insurance for family members of active duty service members for care by civilian dentists. Active duty service members are encouraged to enroll their family members in the TRICARE Family Member Dental Plan to avoid paying full price for their family members’ dental care.
Active duty family member and retiree dental insurance links:
MetLife MyBenefits for TRICARE
TRICARE Dental
McChord Dental Clinic
Directions
The McChord Dental Clinic is located on McChord Field and can be reached by taking I-5 Exit 125 and turning onto Bridgeport Way SW and entering the main McChord Field Gate. Once on McChord Field, Bridgeport Way turns into Colonel Joe Jackson Blvd. Turn right on Barnes Blvd. Continue past the McChord Medical Clinic and turn right onto 13th Avenue and make an immediate left turn into the McChord Dental Clinic parking lot.
About
The McChord Dental Clinic provides all facets of general dentistry and specialty care offered only to active duty service members. Procedures performed include:
- Examinations
- Cleanings (Prophylaxis)
- Preventive Services (Fluoride, Sealants, Instruction)
- Tooth Fillings (Restorative)
- Root Canals (Endodontics)
- Gum Disease Treatment (Periodontics)
- Crown & Bridge, as needed
- Extractions (Oral Surgery)
- Removable Dentures, as needed
- Referral for complex oral rehabilitation, as needed
Okubo Dental Clinic
Directions
From Interstate 5 exit 120 proceed to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Lewis North to. 41st Division Drive. After stopping at the security check point continue north on 41st Division Drive to C Street. At the intersection of 41st Division Drive and C Street turn right. The Okubo Dental Clinic is collocated with the Okubo Family Medical Clinic at the end of the block, on the right hand side of the street, just before you reach the intersection of C Street and 17th Street.
About
The Okubo Dental Clinic provides all facets of general dentistry and specialty care offered only to active duty service members. Procedures performed include:
- Examinations
- Cleanings (Prophylaxis)
- Preventive Services (Fluoride, Sealants, Instruction)
- Tooth Fillings (Restorative)
- Root Canals (Endodontics)
- Gum Disease Treatment (Periodontics)
- Crown & Bridge, as needed
- Extractions (Oral Surgery)
- Removable Dentures, as needed
- Referral for complex oral rehabilitation, as needed
History
The Okubo Family Medical and Dental Complex is named after Technician Fifth Grade James K. Okubo, a combat medic assigned to the 442nd Combat Regimental Team that saw heavy combat in Europe during World War II.
Okubo distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action in a French forest close to the German border on October 28, 29 and November 4, 1944 in which he treated and saved more than 25 men. He ran 75 yards under a hail of machine-gun fire to a tank, where a badly wounded soldier was trapped and climbed inside the tank, lifted the man onto his back and carried him to safety. Okubo dragged himself by his elbows hundreds of yards through that same forest to save other wounded comrades in K Company of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. For his actions, Okubo was awarded the Silver Star.
Okubo, a Washington state native and a son of a restaurateur, was born in Anacortes and raised in Bellingham, where he played high-school football. He was a Nisei, which means that he was a second generation Japanese-American.
In February 1942, an executive order directed the government to confine Japanese Americans in internment camps scattered throughout the West. Okubo and his family were sent first to Tule Lake, Calif., then to Heart Mountain, Wyo. A year later, the government reversed its policy and allowed Japanese Americans to enlist in the military. Okubo, his two brothers and two cousins volunteered and were assigned to the all-Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The unit earned more than 18,000 individual medals and was the most decorated unit in World War II.
Okubo survived the war, later moving to Michigan and becoming a dentist. Tragically, he was killed in a car accident on January 29, 1967. He was 47.
In 1996, Congress directed the Secretary of the Army to review service records of Asian Americans who received the Silver Star during World War II. Okubo's award was one of those reviewed and upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which was presented in a formal ceremony at the White House on June 21, 2000.
On February 21, 2002, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was held opening the brand new multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art family medical and dental complex with Okubo’s widow, Nobuyo Okubo in attendance.
The Okubo Medical and Dental Complex is more than 25,000 square feet in size and consists of 39 dental and medical examination and treatment rooms.