140619-F-BH566-128

by SrA Ryan Conroy

Senior Airman Patricia Gregg, 724th Air Mobility Squadron, receives a routine cleaning during an annual checkup, June 19, 2014, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 31st Dental Squadron keeps Airmen healthy through a proactive approach that includes annual checkups, dental cleanings, educating patients on healthy habits and techniques for daily care and preventative restorations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy)

Photographer's Narrative

 

At a wing public affairs office, sometimes you have to get creative with your photography to make routine shoots more interesting. This was a shoot to highlight Aviano Air Base’s dental squadron, and I asked one patient if it would be alright if I tagged along during her checkup. After receiving the OK, I watched an entire dental visit from start to finish. I decided to get up close and personal and got this shot of the dental technician cleaning their patient’s teeth with mirrors and picks and what looked like a green rubber bib. The colors were interesting, and I think the photo causes you to take a second look at something that could be overlooked instead of admiring a first-class dental team taking care of more than 10,000 people on base.