Dental FAQs

Do you have to sign up for your dental plan separately like in the U.S.?

As stated in the service member’s orders, it is highly recommended that active duty service members enroll or maintain enrollment for their families with the TRICARE Dental Insurance Program through United Concordia. While insurance isn’t required to be seen off-base, patients that choose not to exercise this option will be responsible for the full cost of treatment.   

Routine dental appointments are extremely limited at NH Rota Dental Clinic with a projected 1-3 month waiting period depending on the treatment need and dental classification. Some patients may find the civilian dental offices on the local economy may be able to offer appointments faster, and patients are encouraged to use this option if time is a significant factor.  

Active duty service members aren’t authorized to receive dental care in the local economy and all treatment needs must be completed through NH Rota Dental clinic or other authorized military treatment facilities.  

Is there a pediatric dentist? 

Due to a significant decrease in the number of dentists assigned to NH Rota, to prioritize operational dental readiness and maintain the standard of care for pediatric dental services, scheduling is as follows. 

Parents or guardians of children: 

• Ages 0-7 can schedule appointments directly with the pediatric dentist at the hospital  
• Ages 8-14 will be directed to schedule appointments with an off-base civilian dental office  
• Ages 15 and above can schedule appointments with the general dentistry department at the hospital  

The TRICARE office in the hospital has a list of English-speaking providers in the local economy. Patients may also visit https://tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Dental/FindDentist and click on “Find a Dentist” to search for TRICARE-participating offices in the local economy. The dental clinic staff members can’t refer or endorse any of the offices on the list provided by the TRICARE office.  

It’s important for families participating in the TRICARE Dental Insurance Program to keep in mind that many of the offices off-base aren’t TRICARE-preferred. This means beneficiaries are responsible for paying the treatment plan fees at the time of completion and must submit paperwork to United Concordia for reimbursement. More information on the TRICARE Dental Insurance Program can be found at https://tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Dental/TDP.  

Is there an orthodontist?

Yes, there is an orthodontist. Priority and policy to receive orthodontic treatment at NH Hospital Rota is based on the BUMEDINST 6670.2B series. According to the Navy instruction, anyone that transfers in orthodontic appliances after orders were issued cannot be guaranteed follow-on care at the naval hospital. If orthodontic appliances were placed before orders were issued, follow-on care is guaranteed. Otherwise, any orthodontic care received is based on a score determined by evaluation/exam completed by the staff orthodontist. Unfortunately, active duty service members assigned to operational commands located in Rota are not eligible for care.  

The first step in the process is having an annual exam completed by a general dentist or the pediatric dentist at the clinic and then referred for orthodontic evaluation. The orthodontist uses a standardized Navy form in which each category being evaluated is assigned a score. The total is added up to determine the patient's Handicap Index of Malocclusion.   

Patients are chosen for orthodontic treatment by an orthodontic selection board based on the HIM score and having adequate time on station to complete treatment. The total number of patients selected is based on availability and adequate supplies. Again, transfer patients that had orthodontic appliances placed before the active duty sponsor's orders were issued have priority. By instruction, a Navy orthodontist is not obligated to treat anyone initiating orthodontic treatment after the active duty sponsor's orders were issued. That patient must go through the evaluation/selection process with everyone else.    

By instruction, it’s recommended that treatment not be started on patients with less than 18 months on station. The orthodontic clinic has no control over the treatment needs of the patient population. The number of patients with high HIM scores can vary tremendously over time. It has been determined by the Navy that those with the greatest need will receive orthodontic care first, regardless of the number of people with lower scores who have been patiently waiting.   

The selection process is fair to all but it's a much sought-after service, and thus only the most severe cases are selected for treatment. If treatment has already started, you need to request an "AAO Transfer Form" and orthodontic records from your current orthodontist and bring those with you to Rota. The orthodontic division will continue to give high quality care to as many people as possible. 

What other dental specialties are available at USNH Rota? 

We currently have the following specialties available at NH Rota: 

• General Dentistry 
• Prosthodontics 
• Endodontics 
• Periodontics 
• Orthodontics 
• Pediatrics 
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery