Admiral tackles dental work in fun charitable event

Lieutenant-Colonel Bob Hart, Commander 1 Dental Detachment Unit Esquimalt, talks teeth with Rear Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, as Jinky Apayo, a Certified Dental Assistant, prepares for the Admiral’s checkup. The checkup was part of RAdm McDonald’s work with the dental unit after it secured his services in the “You’re the Boss” auction in support of the National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign. Photo credit: Rodney Venis, Base Public Affairs

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Rear-Admiral Art McDonald made a career move earlier this month when he temporarily left his command at Maritime Forces Pacific to become a “Dental Care Program Clerk For a Day”.

The Admiral was “won” in the “You’re The Boss” special auction by the Dental Unit, with monies raised going to the National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign (NDWCC.)

He ventured over to the 1 Dental Unit Detachment Esquimalt, located at the base hospital on Colville Road, Jan. 12, taking up his post as dental clerk under supervision of Darla Gibbins.

“It’s a tough job and her work is twice as hard as mine,” said RAdm McDonald as he sent out emails to command teams to ensure their ships/units are dentally fit, and also to individual members to schedule their annual checkups.

“Our readiness in the Royal Canadian Navy starts with looking after the health of our people and our Dental Detachment is a key component of that.”

As he drafted a reminder letter on a computer, he noted one of the biggest challenges of his new job was tracking down patients attached to the fleet who had switched units or moved between ship to shore. 

As patients arrived in the lobby for their checkups, they were surprised to see a new person in the receptionist’s chair.

Gibbins marvelled at the Admiral’s professional telephone demeanour and his typing speed.

“He’s doing great,” said Gibbins. “We are happy to have him here and he’s making a great effort this morning.”

The first-of-its-kind fundraiser was launched by the Base Commander’s office in December and saw the services of six senior leaders auctioned off and put to work at various units in Esquimalt. RAdm McDonald’s volunteer work provided a boost to this year’s NDWCC campaign total, raising $4,840 of the approximately $6,000 total raised in the “You’re The Boss” event.

“It’s a win-win-win for the Admiral, the NDWCC, and our unit,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Hart, 1 Dental Detachment Commander. “He gets to see first-hand the importance of the work we do, and how that work also helps his fleet maintain their fitness and health. If his ships are required to deploy, his personnel will be ready to do so.”

Before the morning was finished, RAdm McDonald was required to have his own dental health put under scrutiny as he was also due for a checkup. He eagerly hopped into the dentist’s chair and opened wide so LCol Hart could perform the annual dental exam.