History
Although the Corps was not formed until 1921, an active military dental service did exist from the 17th Century. In the Regular Army of 1660, musketeers had to have sound incisor and canine teeth in order to be able to open the gunpowder charge. This was the first time the Army had an official dental standard.
At the start of the war no arrangements had been made for the dental treatment of the vast army that was formed. However, before long British authorities requested that a dozen dentists be sent to service in France, and by 1918 there were around 850.
In January 1921 the formation of the Army Dental Corps (ADC) was authorised by Royal Warrant. The Corps served in all Home Commands; the Army of the Rhine, Gibraltar, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Burma, India, North China and in the Caribbean.
In 1940, dental personnel were attached to field ambulances, casualty clearing stations and general hospitals, providing a vital role.
A Special Army Order was issued on 28th November 1946, approving the change in title to the Royal Army Dental Corps.
Since World War Two, RADC Officers and Soldiers have served in support of operations around the world including the Falklands, the Gulf, Malaya, Korea, Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and more recently, Sierra Leone in the fight against Ebola.