royal army dental corps royal army dental corps the royal army dental corps (radc) is a specialist corps in the british army that provides dental health services to british army personnel and their families in war and in peace. the corps is a part of the british army's army medical services. royal army dental corpscap badge of the royal army dental corpsactive1921 – presentcountryunited kingdombranchbritish armyroledental supportsize182 (2021)part ofarmy medical serviceshqstaff college, camberleymotto(s)ex dentibus ensis(from the teeth a sword)marchgreen facingscommanderscolonel commandantcol. k m. richardson, qhdscolonel-in-chiefthe duchess of gloucesterinsigniatactical recognition flash history field training course, march 1944, the army dental corps school of instruction, aldershot while army regimental surgeons had been providing dental care services to soldiers since circa 1660, it was not until 1901 that a dental service branch was formally established under the royal army medical corps (ramc), but in 1908 this was dissolved and the army returned to contracting civilian dentists. it was re-established at the outbreak of the first world war in 1914. in january 1921, dentists of the ramc were split off into a separate army dental corps (adc). the corps was awarded the "royal" prefix to become the royal army dental corps in november 1946 in recognition of its service in the second world war. royal army dental corps specialisations qualified dentists are all commissioned officers. dental nurses are non-commissioned officers. before the second world war, adc recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall and could enlist up to 30 years of age. they initially enlisted for seven years with the colours and a further five years with the reserve. they trained at the royal army medical corps depot, crookham camp, aldershot, before proceedings to specialist trade training. the two trades available at that time were clerk orderly (who assisted in the operating room and in clerical work) and dental mechanic (who worked in dental workshops). alliances canada – royal canadian dental corps australia – royal australian army dental corps new zealand – royal new zealand dental corps order of precedence